This book explores how law can safeguard the marine environment in the era of deep-sea mining.

In our increasingly interconnected and resource-intensive world, the demand for mineral resources has reached unprecedented levels. Rapid industrialization, technological advancements, and a growing global population have intensified our reliance on minerals: for electronics, renewable energy systems, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

This escalating demand has pushed humanity to explore new frontiers, with the deep sea emerging as a potential reservoir of untapped resources. As terrestrial deposits become harder to access, the allure of deep-sea minerals grows ever more compelling.

Yet, with opportunity comes responsibility. Balancing economic interests with the preservation of fragile and largely unexplored deep-sea ecosystems requires robust and enforceable legal frameworks. Since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, international law has sought to govern ocean resources while protecting the environment.

This book offers a meticulous examination of these legal frameworks, environmental considerations, and the governance of deep-sea mineral exploration. It provides a comprehensive foundation in ocean law, covering the intricacies of international regulations, state rights, regulatory challenges, and also addressing social dimensions and human rights considerations.

Dr. Alix Willemez is a seasoned expert in the blue economy and sustainable development, with 19 years of experience in environmental and climate change projects spanning energy, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

She has contributed as an expert to the United Nations World Ocean Assessments II and III, authoring chapters on deep-sea mining and related topics. Dr. Willemez was also part of the senior evaluation team for the UN Decade of Ocean Science and contributed to the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI).

She holds a PhD in Energy and Environmental Law from Sorbonne University, an MSt in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge, and a Master’s in International Relations from the College of Europe in Bruges.