Programme Cooperation Agreement 2012 – 2013

7.4 Natural resources Natural resources of every kind are the foundation of our civilization. Non-living resources are particular priority in the context of societal development. In a world where non- living natural resources such as fossil fuels and minerals are increasingly scarce and predominantly located in devel- oping countries, it is vital for decision-makers from the local to global level are provide with sound information covering critical environmental, social and economic aspects. GRID- Arendal continues with its tradition of identifying emerging issues, gathering the expertise and partnerships needed to explore these issues and producing credible information for policy consideration. During the course of the current re- porting period, the Marine team focused on two emerging issues relevant to developing countries: Global Outlook on Methane Gas Hydrates The Global Outlook on Methane Gas Hydrates report has been completed and will be launched in 2014. The 3-year effort to produce the report has established a dynamic in- ternational community of practice that includes national government scientists, academics, NGOs and the private sector. Through GRID-Arendal’s coordination, this com- munity of practice has expanded its approach to gas hy- drates research (on viability of exploitation) to be more inclusive of social realities (e.g. wealth distribution) and ecological limits. The concept of a transitional global en- ergy mix designed to lead society to a low to no carbon system is now part of the discussion and the policy advice being provided to decision makers.

Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Assessment The Secretariat of the Pacific Community-European Union Deep Sea Minerals in the Pacific Islands Region: A Legal and Fiscal Framework for Sustainable Resource Manage- ment Project (the DSM Project) is being implemented in 15 Pacific countries. 54 The Pacific Deep Sea Minerals As- sessment, which is part of this project, has been com- pleted by GRID-Arendal and was launched by SPC/SOPAC in December 2013. 55 The two-volume report provides the first integrated examination of the key aspects of miner- al extraction for policy-makers, including the geological, biological, technical, social, economic, and fiscal compo- nents. These volumes have, for the first time, brought together international experts with a broad range of skills and backgrounds relating to deep sea minerals. Consolidating this information to support decision making, and the regional development of a legislative framework to underpin resource development, both within and beyond national jurisdictions, places the Pacific Island states at the forefront of responsible management of their non-renewable resources. SIGNIFICANT OUTCOME: Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Assessment

54. Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. 55. http://www.grida.no/publications/deep-sea-minerals/

DEEP SEA MINERALS

DEEP SEA MINERALS

DEEP SEA MINERALS

DEEP SEA MINERALS

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Deep Sea Minerals and the Green Economy

1C

Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts A physical, biological, environmental, and technical review

1A

Sea-Floor Massive Sulphides A physical, biological, environmental, and technical review

1B

Manganese Nodules A physical, biological, environmental, and technical review

COBALT-RICH FERROMANGANESE CRUSTS 1

SEA-FLOOR MASSIVE SULPHIDES 1

MANGANESE NODULES 1

Deep Sea MineralS anD the Green econoMy 1

Edited by Elaine Baker and Yannick Beaudoin

Edited by Elaine Baker and Yannick Beaudoin

Edited by Elaine Baker and Yannick Beaudoin

Edited by Elaine Baker and Yannick Beaudoin

Deap sea minerals

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