20220411-世界经济论坛-Decision-Making_on_Deep-Sea_Mineral_Stewardship_A_Supply_Chain_Perspective_71页_12mb

Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: Key Insights and Recommendations Summary

This White Paper examines the complexities of decision-making regarding deep-sea mineral exploitation, emphasizing the need for sustainability, responsibility, and inclusivity in supply chain management.

Introduction: Global Challenges and Goals

• Society faces unprecedented environmental and economic challenges, with metals and minerals playing a critical role in the clean energy transition.
• The "Age of Metals" requires responsible sourcing to balance mineral demand with planetary health and societal equity.
• Deep-sea minerals may supplement terrestrial sources, but their exploitation must adhere to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) principle of the "common heritage of mankind."

Manufacturer and Market Involvement in Mineral Stewardship

• Stakeholder expectations for responsible sourcing have risen, with manufacturers increasingly implementing supply-chain due diligence.
• Initiatives like the London Metal Exchange's responsible sourcing policy and industry consortia (e.g., Responsible Steel) set benchmarks for mineral procurement.
• Challenges include balancing sustainability goals with supply security amid circular economy transitions.

Key Findings:

• Predictability of Effects: Deep-sea mineral exploitation's environmental and social impacts are complex and interrelated. Physical effects like sediment plumes are moderately predictable, while species-level ecosystem consequences are highly uncertain.
• Role of Stakeholders: Inclusive decision-making involving manufacturers, governments, civil society, and contractors is essential for legitimacy and effectiveness.
• Regulatory Gaps: ISA's regulatory frameworks are evolving but lack consensus on environmental protection standards and knowledge sufficiency.

Recommendations

For Manufacturers, Markets, and Supply Chain Organizations

1. Promote Knowledge Collaboration: Support scientific research and transparent data-sharing platforms on deep-sea mineral impacts.
2. Develop Environmental Principles: Establish consensus-based environmental and social principles for deep-sea mineral sourcing.
3. Advocate for Stakeholder Participation: Champion multistakeholder dialogues at ISA and national levels, expanding observer groups to include diverse perspectives.

Additional Recommendations

• Risk-Based Investment: Prioritize circular economy transition investments to reduce metal dependency.
• Supplier Transparency: Implement mapping of deep-sea mineral risks in supply chains with affected community engagement.
• Pre-Commercial Dialogue: Participate in ISA deliberations to shape exploitation regulations reflective of societal values.

The paper concludes that responsible stewardship requires evidence-based, consensus-driven decisions supported by robust knowledge systems and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Foreword quote emphasizes the transition's urgency: "Manufacturers and markets must... uphold environmental and social principles... unless they proactively ensure deep-sea mineral exploitation aligns with their ESG expectations before regulations are finalized."