Norway Halts Seabed Mining Plans After Socialist Left Party Intervention

Oslo, December 1, 2023 – WWF-Norway applauds the Socialist Left Party (SV) for securing a crucial victory for our oceans in budget negotiations with the Norwegian government. As a result of SV’s efforts, the government has agreed to stop the country’s first licensing round for deep seabed mining, which was initially scheduled to proceed in the spring of 2025.

"This is a major and important environmental victory!" says Karoline Andaur, CEO of WWF-Norway.

"SV has stopped the process for deep seabed mining , giving Norway a unique opportunity to save its international ocean reputation and gain the necessary knowledge before we even consider mining the planet's last untouched wilderness."

WWF-Norway has been deeply concerned about the government's rushed process, which proceeded without heeding its own experts who repeatedly highlighted the extensive knowledge gaps that make deep-sea mining irresponsible.

"Fortunately, SV has understood the seriousness and taken responsibility to stop the madness," Andaur continues. "SV has given the next Storting (Parliament) a chance to halt this hasty process."

"We owe a debt of gratitude to SV for recognizing the urgency of protecting the deep sea. This is a pivotal moment for Norway to demonstrate global leadership by prioritizing ocean health over destructive industry," says Andaur.

The halt comes amidst growing international pressure for a global moratorium on deep seabed mining, with scientists and conservationists warning of irreversible harm to marine biodiversity.

WWF-Norway urges the government to use this pause as an opportunity to reconsider its stance on seabed mining entirely and support a moratorium on deep seabed mining.

"Unfortunately, we have not seen similar efforts to curtail the Norwegian oil industry, which is still getting new licenses to operate in Norwegian waters, including very vulnerable parts of the Arctic. Norway needs to explore new ways to make money without extracting fossil fuels and destroying nature," says Andaur.

For further information, please contact:
Elena Solberg
Media Relations Manager, WWF-Norway
esolberg@wwf.no
+47 482 04 130