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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2520(RSP))

On Norway’s recent decision to advance seabed mining in the Arctic

B-9-2024-0095

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Hildegard Bentele

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on Norway's decision to open an Arctic area for seabed mining expresses concern and calls for an international moratorium on deep-seabed mining until effects are sufficiently studied. It notes the Storting's decision does not automatically grant extraction approval and that first extraction plans must be approved by the Storting. It recalls Norway's obligations under the Svalbard Treaty, OSPAR and Espoo Conventions, and calls on all UNCLOS parties, including Norway, to sign and ratify the BBNJ Agreement without delay. It calls on Norway to engage with the EU under the Green Alliance and for the Commission and Norway to exchange scientific research on sustainable ocean management.

Key points

  1. Parliament expresses concern about the Storting's decision of 9 January 2024 to open areas for deep-seabed activities.
  2. It notes the decision includes continued mapping, knowledge acquisition and environmental impact assessments, and does not automatically grant extraction approval.
  3. It reiterates calls on the Commission and member states to promote an international moratorium on deep-seabed mining, including at the International Seabed Authority.
  4. It calls on all countries to apply the precautionary principle and support an international moratorium on deep-seabed mining.
  5. It recalls Norway's obligations under the Svalbard Treaty, fisheries management agreements, the OSPAR Convention and the Espoo Convention.
  6. It stresses the BBNJ Agreement has been signed by the EU and Norway, and calls on all other UNCLOS parties, including Norway, to sign and ratify it without delay.
  7. It calls on Norway to continue engaging with the EU under the Green Alliance signed in April 2023 to address concerns and protect the marine environment and Arctic ecosystems.
  8. It calls on the Commission and Norway to engage in continuous dialogue and exchange scientific research and knowledge on the seabed and sustainable ocean management.
  9. It underlines that Norway and the EU follow a similar approach on a balanced raw materials policy based on demand mitigation, reuse, efficiency, recycling, waste streams and substitution.

Who is affected

  • Norway: called on to engage with the EU, exchange research, and sign and ratify the BBNJ Agreement.
  • The Commission and member states: called on to promote an international moratorium on deep-seabed mining.
  • All countries: called on to apply the precautionary principle and support an international moratorium.
  • All other UNCLOS parties: called on to sign and ratify the BBNJ Agreement without delay.

Figures and deadlines

  • 281 200 square kilometres: area in the Arctic approved for exploration for potential seabed mining.
  • 9 January 2024: date the Storting approved the decision to allow the area to be explored.
  • EUR 3.3 trillion: combined assets of 37 financial institutions that raised concerns over seabed mining.
  • April 2023: date the Green Alliance between Norway and the EU was signed.