The transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy has increased
demand for mining of precious metals and resources. At the center is the
prospect of seabed mining to extract minerals from the ocean floor. Island
nations are at an impasse, weighing the projected impacts, costs, and
opportunities. What lies ahead for seabed mining in terms of governance,
regulations, and impact to ocean health, the states, and the region at large?

The transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy has increased
demand for mining of precious metals and resources. At the center is the
prospect of seabed mining to extract minerals from the ocean floor. Island
nations are at an impasse, weighing the projected impacts, costs, and
opportunities. What lies ahead for seabed mining in terms of governance,
regulations, and impact to ocean health, the states, and the region at large?

*This is a pre-recording from the 2023 Indo-Pacific Islands Dialogue held in partnership with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in New York City.

The Carnegie Endowment advances international peace by leveraging its global network to shape debates and provide decisionmakers with independent insights and innovative ideas on the most consequential global threats and opportunities.

The Middle East and North Africa have been hit by food, energy, and debt crises that have exacerbated structural economic weaknesses of low- and middle-incomes countries, particularly Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon.

Progress on the energy transition in the Western Balkans remains slow, despite strong public support and commitment from the EU. This points to a need for countries in the region to recognize the negative influence of external actors.

While Russia’s near monopoly on the oil and gas market in Southeast Europe looks secure for now, there will be less and less Russian gas and oil sold on the local market going forward, as Balkan governments and companies look elsewhere for supplies.

Africa received an average of $35 billion per year for fossil fuel and clean energy projects over the past decade. That amount was enough to address the continent’s energy finance gap, but unequal distribution has left many countries behind.