Legislative and Administrative Frameworks for Deep Sea Minerals

8/6/2019 Legislative and Administrative Frameworks for Deep Sea Minerals

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North-South Environmental Law (NSEL)

Beca International Consultants (Beca)6 June 2011


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Who are we?y Robert Makgill North-South Environmental Law (NSEL)

y Environmental lawyer

y

Specialist in governance of natural resources in internationaland sovereign waters

y Advises States, IGOs and private sector interests

y Keith Frentz Beca International Consultants

y Technical Director

y Environmental management specialist

y Policy and strategic advisor


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Why are we here?The lawyer:

y To outline the LOSC framework for mineral resources

y To discuss recent ITLOS Advisory Opiniony To discuss how State legislation should look

The Planner:

y To discuss good environmental practice and managementy To discuss practical implementation of the legislation

y To discuss capacity building, training and the tools needed


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NSELNSEL is a specialist environmental and public law firm.

y Roberts recent work at NSEL includes legal counsel to:

y

IUCN on ITLOS DSM advisory opinion proceedings - 2011y NORI on legislative and admin regime for DSM - 2011

y Local Government NZ on drafting and enactment of Marineand Coastal Area Act 2011 - 2010

y NZ Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment onenvironmental regulation of EEZ - 2010

y IUCN concerning provision under domestic legislation forintegrated coastal management in Fiji - 2009


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LOSC mineral resourcesy Territorial Sea

y 12 nautical miles

y State exclusive competence to regulate access to minerals

y

Continental Shelf & EEZy Submerged prolongation of land territory concerned state

sovereign rights over non-living resources

y 200 n miles zone applies to living and non-living resources

y Non-living resource management not premised on

conservation under LOSCy Minerals can be exploited without regard to sustainability

y Exploitation must adhere to marine protection obligationsPart XII LOSC


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LOSC mineral resourcesy High Seas & Area

y The Area is not subject state jurisdiction

y

Common heritage regime vests resources in internationalcommunity as a whole

y Exploration and exploitation of mineral resources open to allstates

y Establishes regime for administering prospecting, exploration

and exploitation of minerals through ISAy The obligations of States for DSM activities in the Area is set

out in ITLOS AO 2011


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ITLOS advisory opiniony General obligation of due diligence not to cause harm to

the environment beyond national jurisdiction

y

Conduct and not resulty Direct obligations under LOSC

y The Precautionary Approach

y Best Environmental Practice not best available technology

y

Environmental Impact Assessmenty Adopt laws and regulations and to take administrative

measures (i.e. implement, monitor & enforce)


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LOSC - Coastal states to adopt lawsy Part XII - Protection and preservation marine environment

y Exploration and exploitation of minerals will have some levelof effect on ocean-bottom environment e.g. pollution

y Art 208(1) requires coastal states to adopt laws andregulations to prevent, reduce and control pollution to themarine environment from seabed activities in their

jurisdiction (i.e. Territorial Sea, EEZ & Continental Shelf )

y

Must be no less effective than international rules, standardsand recommended practices and procedures


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State legislation should

y Prevent, reduce and control pollution from seabedactivities

y Prevent environmental harm beyond national jurisdiction

y Be no less effective than international lawy Precautionary approach

y Best environmental practice

y EIA

y Monitoring and enforcementy May be activity specific where information is sound

y More reliably effects based where information incomplete


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B

ecaI

nternationalC

onsultantsy New Zealand employee owned

y In the Pacific for over 40 years

y Coastal Infrastructure Management Plans in Samoa

y Shoreline Protection Guidelines in Kiribati

y College of Marshall Islands, RMI

yAtaviu Port, Cook Islands

yTuvalu Ship to Shore project

y Climate Change Adaptation

y Ports, Airports, Roads


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ood Environmental Practice and

Managementy Principles

y Build sustainable communities

y Respect Social and Cultural wellbeings

y Balance the economic benefits/costs

y Strong Environmental Objectivesy Start from a terrestrial base

y Build on existing legislation where it exists

y Build it for your Grandchildren

y Precautionary Approachy Test, Monitor, Review


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Practical Implementationy Working with people on practical solutions


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y Work with the environment not against it


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Capacity Building and Training

y Understanding of what you have

y Understanding of what you needy Identify the gaps

y Plan how to fill the gaps

y Seek support UNDP, NZAid, AusAid, Consultants

y It helps if everyone knows what you are doing and whyyou are doing it training affects everyone.


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What will it mean to you?y How will it assist Pacific Island Communities?

y Socialy Cultural

y Economic

y Environmental

Legislative and Administrative Frameworks for Deep Sea Minerals

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