The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Norway has taken legal action against the Norwegian government over its decision to allow deep-sea mining, alleging that the move was made without proper investigation of its environmental impact. WWF-Norway contends that the government’s approval violates Norwegian law, disregards expert advice, and establishes a risky precedent, according to the organization’s CEO, Karoline Andaur. Despite concerns raised by scientists, the European Union, and the UK regarding potential harm to marine life, Norway became the first country to permit commercial deep-sea mining in January, emphasizing the significance of minerals for green energy applications like electric car batteries. The lawsuit challenges the adequacy of the government’s assessment, as critiqued by the Norwegian Environment Agency, raising fundamental legal and scientific gaps in the decision-making process. In response, the Ministry of Energy stated that it had followed due process and welcomed the court’s review while refraining from further comment. The lawsuit sheds light on the broader international debate as the European parliament and several nations call for a temporary ban on seabed mineral extraction, urging coordination at the upcoming International Seabed Authority meeting.
