Switzerland takes stand on seabed protection

Thursday, 29 June 2023 06:30

The Federal Council says it agrees with a plan to temporarily stop any further commercial exploitation of the seabed until the potential damage to the environment is better known.

Switzerland will be taking part in the next session of the International Seabed Authority, which will be meeting in Jamaica next month.

The government will support calls to stop mining for minerals. Demand is expected to soar as some resources will be in demand to handle the energy transition – mainly cobalt and manganese for electric vehicles.

Currently, most member states of the authority are in favour of only allowing mining with regulation.

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