When the ISA held its last Council meeting in July 2025, they launched an enquiry into The Metals Company seeking a unilateral deep-sea mining license from the Trump administration.
If the US administration unilaterally allowed mining the international seabed, it would circumvent the regulations upheld by the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, which could be a violation of international law.
Greenpeace are now calling on ISA to formulate a strong response to The Mining Companies’ path and show that: “International law requires that states show that violations of treaties and contractual commitments have consequences.”
Earlier this month, an independent report commissioned by Greenpeace International found that developing countries will feel the force of the environmental damage caused by deep-sea mining, while receiving next-to-no economic benefit.
The analysis showed that the international mining companies – largely headquartered in the Global North – will receive the majority of the profits.
So far, 40 governments – including France, Canada, the UK, Brazil, and various Pacific Island nations – have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. More than 950 scientists, and international businesses including Google, Apple, Samsung, BMW, Volvo and Renault are also calling for a pause.
Carvalho has recently publicly advocated for governments to finalise a streamlined deep-sea mining code this year. This would in effect create a legal framework for commercial mining to begin.
In light of the environmental damage, unequal economic benefits, and their recent legal submission, Greenpeace are pushing back against the establishment of such a code.
Louisa Carson, Campaigner for Greenpeace International said: “It would legitimise and drive investments into a flagging industry, supporting rogue actor companies like The Metals Company, and weakening deterrence against unilateral mining outside the US framework.”
“What is needed is a clear political signal that the world will not be intimidated into rushing a mining code by unilateral threats and will instead keep moving towards a moratorium on deep-sea mining,” she added.
