Adopted in June 2023, the UN Oceans Treaty is the most significant multilateral environmental deal since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and a vital tool to help reverse the ocean crisis. Australia joined dozens of other nations in signing the historic and legally-binding pact, but it must still be ratified by individual countries before it comes into effect.

The Treaty must enter in force by 2025 to keep the globally agreed target of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030 within reach.

Palau’s ratification highlights Pacific nations’ continuing leadership on global ocean protection, and sends a strong signal for other countries, including Australia, to fast-track ratification and take action to deliver protected oceans sanctuaries where marine life can recover and thrive.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific senior campaigner Violette Snow said “The Global Oceans Treaty is a critical step forward in the fight to protect our oceans from the mounting threats of climate change, marine plastics and overfishing.”

“We congratulate Palau on becoming the first country to ratify the Global Oceans Treaty, a powerful tool to protect our oceans,” she said. 

“Australia’s leadership and cooperation with like-minded countries has seen a commitment to stronger protections for our oceans, but now the Australian government must back up words with action. 

“Lying between Australia and New Zealand, the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea have been identified as areas of ecological significance, but right now they’re under threat from harmful fishing practices.

“The race to protect our oceans is on. We urge Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to follow Palau’s announcement and act just as swiftly to ratify the Treaty, and to follow through on its conservation leadership on the global stage.”

Palau is the first nation to officially ratify the treaty, after Chile last week approved their treaty legislation with a unanimous vote in their senate. 

—ENDS—

Notes to editors

In September 2023, Greenpeace International published a report setting out the political process to deliver protection for the global oceans. The report, ‘30×30: From Global Ocean Treaty to Protection at Sea’ explores how cumulative pressures on the high seas are increasing, and quantifies for the first time the growing fishing activity in areas earmarked for protection, using data from Global Fishing Watch.

Images for media use can be found here

The Southern Ocean, the waters which encircle Antarctica, is a critical area for climate regulation and marine biodiversity – but currently less than  5% of it is fully protected.

It’s puzzling, especially when there exists a Commission that was established with the specific intent to protect Antarctic marine life. The Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) was established in 1982 by an international convention, in response to krill populations being decimated as a result of overfishing. Krill are integral to maintaining the Antarctic ecosystem, and also play a vital role in locking away carbon in the deep sea.

The Commission meets on an annual basis in Hobart, Tasmania to review and develop Antarctic conservation measures. It was responsible for creating the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA), in the Ross Sea region in 2016. Covering 2.09 million square kilometres the MPA protects biodiversity and vulnerable marine ecosystems.

But for the last six years no new MPAs have been created, which begs the question: why? To answer this you have to understand how the decision making process within the Commission works. The body consists of 27 members and 10 other countries that have accepted the convention.

When a proposal is tabled it can only be adopted if all members agree. If some members veto the proposal it cannot be adopted. In simple terms, even if the majority of countries recognise the need for ocean sanctuaries, a minority can derail the whole process.

This was what happened during last year’s meeting when the Commission failed to reach consensus on creating three large MPAs for the Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea, despite support from an overwhelming majority of governments.

Apart from this inefficient, consensus-based decision making process, governments who prioritise fisheries over safeguarding our oceans have  resulted in the CCAMLR consistently failing to provide Antarctic waters with a network of protected areas it so desperately needs.

Every day ocean threats are mounting. Climate breakdown has resulted in the Antarctic sea ice likely hitting a low winter maximum, while overfishing and pollution are slowly tearing away at our oceans life-sustaining fabric.

The Commission has the power and authority to support proposals for marine protected areas that have already been tabled to protect four million square kilometres of ocean now.

The next CCAMLR meeting is taking place in October 2023. Will the Commission deliver on its commitments and take the first steps towards protecting at least 30% of our oceans by 2030? Or will they once again allow one or two governments to block urgent ocean protection in favour of self-interest?

Unlike the CCAMLR’s failed efforts, the Global Oceans Treaty is a tool that can make ocean protection a reality. We urgently need to ratify this Treaty for 30% of our oceans to be protected by 2030. To do this, at least 60 governments need to sign on.

Sign our petition now to ask the Australian government to urgently ratify the Global Oceans Treaty, and start protecting our oceans!

Speaking at the UN General Assembly Meeting in New York, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia will sign the High Seas Treaty alongside dozens of other nations. The legally-binding pact, agreed in March, must still be ratified by individual countries before it comes into effect.

“We welcome the tremendous news from New York that the Australian Government will sign the High Seas Treaty — a critical step forward in the fight to protect our global oceans from the myriad threats they face”, Ritter said.

“The Treaty is a powerful tool to protect our oceans. Now the Australian government must act just as swiftly to deliver protected ocean sanctuaries where marine life can recover and thrive, including the South Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand which has been identified as an area of ecological significance. 

“While the Australian Government must be applauded for this historic decision, it must also act in line with the irrefutable science that fossil fuels are driving the climate crisis, which is having severe consequences on marine environments in Australia and the Pacific. If left unchecked, climate impacts will devastate fisheries, ecosystems and economies.

“This week, the Bureau of Meteorology officially declared an El Niño weather event for Australia, meaning a summer of brutal heatwaves and extreme weather looms. Just weeks into Spring, we’ve already seen ‘off-the-scale’ ocean temperatures recorded in the Tasman Sea, and the threat of another mass coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef looks increasingly likely. 

“The expansion of the fossil fuel industry is incompatible with a healthy marine environment. We urge Minister Plibersek to recognise the enormous threat that projects like Woodside’s Burrup Hub pose to our oceans and to knock back this disastrous proposal.”

—ENDS—

Images for media use can be found here

In March 2023, history was made when the UN finally agreed on a new Global Ocean Treaty. This Treaty is a powerful tool that can help protect at least 30% of the oceans by 2030. Time is running out, and reaching this target will require a strong and urgent political response. This report offers clear routes to action to get across the finishing line and help the oceans thrive again.

The High Seas cover 61% of the world’s oceans and occupy 70% of the living space on our planet, including land and sea. These international waters are home to a stunning wealth of marine life and ecosystems. They are crucial to many of the key processes that sustain life on our blue planet, including mitigating climate change.

But in recent decades life in the High Seas has dwindled under the rising impact of multiple human stresses, prompting the United Nations to begin a process to reform management in international waters.

Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of critical minerals including lithium, cobalt and manganese, with a significant role to play in the transition to a fossil-fuel-free and renewable-powered future. 

With this prominence comes important questions about the role critical minerals have in shaping the country’s sustainable path. As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, it’s important that we approach mineral extraction, processing, use, reuse and recycling and disposal with care and responsibility.

The following blog explores the role of critical minerals mining in Australia’s clean energy transition and highlights some key principles to guide us to minimise potential social and environmental impacts.

Why are critical minerals important?

Critical minerals are essential for manufacturing various technologies that are integral to our modern world, including mobile phones, computers, banknotes, fibre-optic cables and medical equipment. These minerals are also instrumental in Australia’s transition towards clean energy, powering rechargeable batteries, electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels.

As nations unite under the landmark Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is paramount for protecting our climate, nature and humanity. By harnessing critical minerals, Australia can play its part in helping our country and the world break free from reliance on climate-destroying fossil fuels.

What role does Australia play?

Australia plays a pivotal role in the global landscape of critical minerals, as the world’s largest exporter of lithium and the third-largest producer of cobalt. Additionally, the country 

produces other vital rare earth elements such as manganese, nickel and copper, as highlighted in S&P Global’s 2021 Mining By The Numbers report.

This means Australia has the potential to contribute to the climate change fight by becoming a leading exporter of materials, cutting-edge technology and valuable expertise. By harnessing these resources, the country can create a thriving clean energy industry and generate new trade and job opportunities. However, this means Australia also has a critical responsibility to ensure that the mining, processing and manufacturing of critical minerals is carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Does clean energy mean less mining? 

The short answer is yes, a clean energy future can reduce the scale and volume of mining overall.

Various studies, including the International Energy Agency’s Energy Technology Perspectives 2023 report have indicated that transitioning to a renewable energy-based economy will involve less mining and processing compared to one that is fossil fuel-based.

While fossil fuels are dug up, transported around the world, and burnt once to create energy, critical minerals can be re-used and then recycled multiple times.  

To put it in perspective, approximately 15 billion tonnes of fossil fuels are currently mined and extracted each year. In contrast, the global mining of critical minerals for low-carbon energy amounted to seven million tonnes in 2020. While this amount could increase to 28 million tonnes per year according to the International Energy Agency, that equates to about 535 times less mining than under the current fossil fuelled system.  

By transitioning from fossil fuel-powered energy to an all-renewable electric energy system, we have the potential to drastically reduce the need for extensive mining activities, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Can we reduce the environmental and social impact?

The reality though is all mining activity can have significant negative environmental and social impacts. 

To minimise these impacts, it’s crucial to reduce the overall amount of materials extracted, prioritise their use for climate solutions, maximise the utilisation of recycled materials, and ensure protection of the environment and human rights in the process.

The following guidelines outline ways in which Australia and the world must approach the use of critical minerals more responsibly:

1. Protect the rights of First Nations people

The rights of indigenous people, local communities, and the social wellbeing of workers are vital.

Securing the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations peoples before undertaking any mining activities is essential and project proponents must ensure that the benefits are shared with traditional landowners.

2. Protect biodiversity and climate hotspots

We must not repeat the same extractive model that has contributed to climate change. 

Extraction should be limited to areas far away from biodiversity and climate hotspots such as High Conservation Value areas (HCVs), primary forest and Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL), High Carbon Stock forests (HCS), critical natural wetlands, including peatlands, grassland and shrubland ecosystems, and deep sea areas. 

3. Say no to deep sea mining

Deep sea mining has no place in our oceans. The urgent implementation of a global moratorium on deep sea mining is crucial to conserve and protect our marine ecosystems.

Greenpeace has called on vehicle manufacturers to cease sourcing minerals from deep sea mining, and companies such as BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Renault and Rivian have already committed to this.  

4. Adopt circular economy principles

Embracing the reuse and recycling of materials can reduce the environmental impacts of mining and extend the life cycle of materials. 

While fossil fuels are burnt once, major battery inputs like lithium and copper can be recycled multiple times. By 2040, recycled materials have the potential to supply over half of the essential elements for new batteries, even with growing battery demand. Large companies with high use rates of minerals, such as electric car company Polestar, have declared their intention to transition to a closed-loop system. This approach must be scaled and accelerated.

5. Invest in innovative technologies

Governments and corporations must support research and development in, and adoption of,   more efficient battery technology that reduces dependence on mined minerals. 

Battery technology is already improving quickly – wind turbine and electric vehicle manufacturers have been successful in reducing the mineral content of their products year on year. According to WWF’s The Future Is Circular report, the rapid evolution of the sector is likely to lead to a significant reduction in the need for minerals per unit manufactured.

6. Reduce the demand for critical minerals

The world after a successful clean energy transition will not resemble the world we know today.

Significant reductions in the demand for critical minerals can be achieved through societal and policy changes. For example, instead of a one-for-one replacement of internal combustion engines with electric vehicles, we must focus on having fewer cars on the road by investing in affordable and accessible public transport, improving micro-mobility infrastructure, and changing societal expectations to include more shared journeys.

Greenpeace aims to foster an informed dialogue around the responsible use of critical minerals. Join us as we embark on this journey to build a cleaner, greener future for Australia and the world.

Follow Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Climate Justice Ship Tour

“The deep sea mining industry was getting ready to plunge its mechanical teeth into the ocean floor, but their bet backfired as they have seriously underestimated the importance of science and equity over a merely speculative and profit-driven venture. The cracks are appearing in what has to date been a fortress for industry interests as a result of increasing public awareness and mobilisation. It’s clear that most governments do not want their legacy to be green lighting ocean destruction”, said Greenpeace International Oceans campaigner Louisa Casson.

The decisions adopted by the ISA Council on 21 July effectively mean that a majority of countries — including Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Vanuatu, Germany and Switzerland — did not yield to pressure from the industry — supported by nations such as Norway and Mexico — to fast-track rules for deep sea mining. Industry frontrunner The Metals Company saw its share price plummet as markets reacted to the news.[1]  However, the ISA still failed to close a legal loophole for companies to start mining next year. 

At the ISA Assembly this week, pro-mining nations reacted by attempting to silence the growing resistance to deep sea mining in the very place it’s up for negotiation: As of Friday morning, China is still opposing a proposal from Latin American, Pacific and European governments to make space for debate. Such attempts at restricting opposition to deep sea mining went beyond the negotiating table, as the ISA Secretariat, frequently accused of being too close to the industry, restricted journalists and clamped down on peaceful protest during the meetings. 

“Investors looking at what happened in the past week will only see a desperate industry trying to maintain the illusion it has any future. If deep sea mining was truly as sustainable as miners claim and their hearts were truly invested in helping the climate crisis, why block dissent? It’s become clear during these weeks that irresponsibly pressing ahead to mine the deep sea in the middle of a climate crisis is not only reckless but politically toxic. The world is fighting back against deep sea mining – there’s a big fight ahead, but the fight is on,” Casson continued. 

The world is waking up to the significance of the threat from deep sea mining. The calls of Indigenous Peoples are being joined by people across the world: 37 financial institutions, over 750 scientists and the fishing industry have also called for a halt. 

“In the Pacific, the ocean is dear to us. It informs our lives and who we are as a people. The spectre of deep-sea mining raises many concerns that remind us of the legacies our region has felt from other colonial extractive industries and the barbarous nuclear testing era. We call on world leaders to be better stewards of our ocean by joining the call for a moratorium,” said Joey Tau, Campaigner with the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) based in Suva, Fiji. 

Greenpeace believes that the way to stop this industry is through a moratorium that focuses on putting protection in place and that requires more governments to speak up to safeguard the ocean. 

The agreement of this Treaty keeps the 30×30 target – protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 – alive. It provides a pathway to creating fully or highly protected areas across the world’s oceans. There are still flaws in the text, and governments must ensure that the Treaty is put into practice in an effective and equitable way for it to be considered a truly ambitious Treaty.

The text will now go through technical editing and translation, before officially being adopted at another session. This Treaty is a monumental win for ocean protection, and an important sign that multilateralism still works in an increasingly divided world.

Show your support and help secure a strong treaty by signing our global petition.

1. Avoid Rushed Mining Approvals:
   Greenpeace urges the ISA Council to prioritise ocean protection. We call on governments to ensure that commercial deep sea mining does not start this year. The Council should instruct the Legal and Technical Committee (LTC) not to approve any mining plans without a comprehensive ‘mining code’ in place. Rushing mining approvals under industry pressure is unacceptable and threatens marine ecosystems.
2. Support a Moratorium:
   During the ISA Assembly meeting, Greenpeace calls on governments to work towards adopting a moratorium as a general policy. Express support for the moratorium this year and coordinate with like-minded countries. A moratorium would safeguard our oceans and allow time for thorough assessments of the potential environmental impacts of deep sea mining.
3. Participate Actively and Mobilize:
   Greenpeace asks governments to actively engage in intersessional dialogues, especially the virtual one on 30th May. This involvement is critical to make progress on the ‘what if’ scenario and reach agreements on safeguarding the oceans. Governments should also mobilize Assembly members to participate in the meeting in Kingston, ensuring crucial decisions are made to protect our ocean’s future.
4. Emphasise Legal Solutions:
   Greenpeace emphasises that a moratorium is legally possible and consistent with UNCLOS and ISA frameworks. Governments supporting a pause or moratorium should actively explore legal avenues to achieve this goal and foster collaboration with other Council members.Greenpeace’s asks for the ISA meetings in July 2023 are straightforward: prioritise ocean protection, prevent rushed mining approvals, support a moratorium, participate actively in discussions, and emphasise legal solutions. Together, we can work towards sustainable practices and protect our oceans from the imminent threat of deep sea mining. Let’s take collective action for a healthier marine ecosystem and a sustainable future.

This month, governments meet to negotiate whether to allow deep sea mining at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) – the Council meets 10-21 July, followed by a meeting of the Assembly, on 24-28 July. The meeting of the Council is a decisive moment as it takes place right after the 9 July deadline has passed. A majority of the 36 members of the Council have expressed their opposition to deep sea mining starting without any rules under the so-called ‘two year rule’, but they do need to agree on a way forward which can ensure no commercial mining starts in the coming months. At the Assembly meeting, ISA member States will discuss for the first time the need for a moratorium on deep sea mining.

Greenpeace will be present at this meeting to combine lobbying inside the ISA premises, in collaboration with a large NGO community, with communications and offline activities around the world. Our aim is to both avoid the start of deep sea mining  in the very near future and start building support for a legal roadmap for a moratorium on deep sea mining. We will again provide support and facilitate the participation of indigenous and youth voices at this key debate.

Key messages about Deep Sea Mining

• Governments have recklessly left the backdoor open for deep sea mining to sneak in and start operating later this year. Right now, there’s very little standing between the natural wonders of the deep ocean and the mining machines.
• While more governments are stepping up efforts to stop deep sea mining from starting this year, a handful of laggards are doing the opposite – like announcing  plans to mine the Arctic seabed. It’s a matter of urgency that states gathered in Kingston give these unique and unknown areas the protection they need from this destructive industry.
• To forge ahead and consider the approval of mining licences – as the ISA is under commercial pressure to do from this July – would be criminal. It is time for governments to support a moratorium on deep sea mining and send a clear signal, hot on the heels of a historic Global Ocean Treaty, that the era of ocean destruction is over.
• Imagine if we could go back in time and stop oil drilling. Imagine preventing the ongoing climate crisis, as well as countless oil spills and leaks. Governments in Kingston have the opportunity to get ahead of a new extractive industry and stop deep sea mining before it starts.
• New scientific evidence shows that the area at the centre of the deep sea mining debate is absolutely teeming with undiscovered life – most of which only thrives in these fragile and undisturbed ecosystems – This has to be a dealbreaker for those governments still entertaining this industry.
• The deep sea mining industry claim they will solve the climate crisis by plundering the seabed, using machinery that will destroy marine life to look for metals that the seabed won’t provide.
• Growing international opposition to this risky industry is turning into political resistance. Governments from Europe to Latin America and ministers from island nations are joining Pacific activists, businesses and scientists in their call for a moratorium.
• Serious questions remain about the high-risk and high-cost of deep sea mining, while controversy over its key regulator, the ISA, keeps growing. As frontrunner The Metals Company stumbles on with its plans to mine the seafloor in the face of increasing controversy, it’s time for investors and governments to show this industry has no place in a sustainable future.

Greenpeace objectives for the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting:

1. Demonstrate resistance to DSM is increasing across the world – online & offline mobilisation, KIs add voices, media focuses on resistance, pressure & celebrate new governments calling for a moratorium/pause
2. Block industry from getting a greenlight to start DSM – pressure governments to make sure they do not allow easy approval of DSM licence, and do not finalise Mining Code allowing DSM to start. Media coverage focuses on the hurdles
3. Centre the leadership of Pacific activists and communities in the movement against DSM
4. Toxify the enabling environment for mining at ISA/Michael Lodge to create political space for governments to focus on protection

Despite all the efforts to get a Global Ocean Treaty agreed, the oceans remain at risk from a nascent, risky and unnecessary industry: deep sea mining. Imagine if we could go back in time and stop offshore drilling at the dawn of the oil age. Imagine preventing the ongoing climate crisis, as well as countless oil spills and leaks. We have the opportunity to get ahead of a new extractive industry: stopping it before it can ever cause widespread harm to people and planet. World leaders are coming together to decide whether they allow this industry to go ahead or put it in the bin. A moratorium on deep sea mining would allow the latter, enabling scientists to keep investigating the seabed so we can make informed and responsible decisions over the fate of an ecosystem so crucial to our lives and that we still know very little about.

People can get together and stop a new extractive industry before it can ever cause widespread harm to people and the planet. The wonders of the oceans’ ecosystems, and their generous contribution to our planet’s and people’s well being, make the need for a ban on deep sea mining.

Greenpeace has been working with members of Pacific Indigenous communities in opposing DSM. These communities have concerns around the impact the industry could have on the waters around their homes, impacting fishing and cultural heritage. The Pacific is their home and they feel that the DSM industry, whose power is concentrated in the Global North, is a new form of colonialism that shows a lack of respect and understanding about their (and all of our) relationship with the ocean.

During the ISA meeting (when it switches from Council to Assembly) we have agreed to deliver a message on behalf of members of these communities about why they are opposed to DSM and how this will impact their lives.

The depths of our oceans hide a unique living world that we barely understand, but is already under threat from the controversial deep sea mining industry. It is an unique ecosystem home to weird and wonderful creatures, with towers that are thought to protect hidden clues to the origins of life on Earth. No minerals or metals are worth destroying a place we don’t even fully understand. Companies should be investing in recycling and new technology instead of threatening marine life for profit.

The global oceans belong to no one; we all have a responsibility to play our part in securing their protection. These waters might feel remote, but what happens there impacts us all. Stopping deep sea mining before it starts would help to protect wildlife, crucial ecosystems and countless wonders that haven’t yet been discovered.

The Significance of the Treaty:

The UN Ocean Treaty carries immense potential to support the achievement of the 30×30 target, unanimously agreed upon by governments under the Convention on Biological Diversity in late 2022. This target aims to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. By enabling the creation of extensive ocean sanctuaries, shielded from harmful human activities on the high seas, the treaty promises to catalyse the restoration and flourishing of marine biodiversity.

For more information about the UN Ocean Treaty and to read the full text of the agreement, you can visit the official document at: UN Ocean Treaty Text.

A Call for Urgent Ratification:

Chris Thorne, a prominent figure in Greenpeace’s Protect the Oceans campaign, emphasised the importance of immediate action in ratifying the treaty. Thorne heralded the treaty as a triumph for all life on Earth, urging the governments involved to swiftly ratify it and commence the establishment of vast ocean sanctuaries. The scientific community has unequivocally stressed the need to safeguard at least 30% of our oceans by 2030, granting them a chance to recover and thrive.

Present Challenges and Future Aspirations:

With less than 1% of the high seas currently protected, the road to achieving the 30×30 target is undeniably daunting. However, the monumental agreement reached by millions of people worldwide and the tireless efforts of organisations like Greenpeace have set a precedent for change. Although there is still much ground to cover, there is a resolute commitment to realising the goal of 30% ocean protection by the end of this decade.

The Global Call for Action:

The drive for a Global Ocean Treaty garnered support from 5.5 million individuals spanning every continent, who joined Greenpeace in advocating for governments to finalise the agreement. To transform the 30×30 vision into a tangible reality, it is imperative for governments to ratify the treaty during the UN Ocean Conference in 2025. This landmark gathering will serve as a pivotal moment in galvanising worldwide efforts toward comprehensive ocean protection.

The formal adoption of the UN Ocean Treaty signifies a turning point in the collective fight to conserve our oceans. Governments around the world now have the responsibility to ratify this transformative agreement and actively work towards establishing extensive ocean sanctuaries. As the year 2030 looms ever closer, the urgency to protect our oceans intensifies. With determination, collaboration, and global solidarity, we can safeguard marine biodiversity and create a sustainable future for generations to come.

In addition to supporting the UN Ocean Treaty, there is another critical issue that requires our attention: deep-sea mining. The fragile ecosystems and unique species found in the deep sea face unprecedented threats from this emerging industry. To voice your concerns and join the movement against deep-sea mining, we encourage you to sign the petition calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until its environmental impact is thoroughly understood.

Together, we have the power to protect our oceans and ensure their health and vitality for future generations. Let us stand united in our commitment to preserve these irreplaceable ecosystems and take action on both the UN Ocean Treaty and the critical issue of deep-sea mining. Sign the petition today and make your voice heard in defence of our deep oceans.