Abstract
Roughly 64% of the global ocean is comprised by areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), i.e. the international seabed area (Area) and the high seas. This extensive area has unparalleled potential for the use of marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies to provide energy security and competitiveness to the States and in the fight against climate change at a global scale. However, the environmental protection of ABNJ is also a priority. An international legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is currently under negotiation at the United Nations General Assembly, being the environmental impact assessment (EIA) one of the four thematic areas discussed. The EIA is an essential tool for evaluating the likely impact of a proposed activity on the environment, which contributes to determining whether, where and when the development of an activity should be allowed in a specific location. Considering that the MRE industry is expanding globally due to its economic and climate change mitigation potential but can also pose environmental and security challenges, this study has two objectives: 1) analysing the capacity of the EIA regulation under the expected BBNJ agreement to ensure environmental protection against the negative impacts associated with the development of MRE projects and; 2) formulating possible recommendations to strengthen such protection.
Presenters
Carlos Soria RodríguezMarie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Public International Law and International Relations, Universidad de Jaén, Spain
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Education, Assessment and Policy
KEYWORDS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION, BBNJ
