WWF v Norwegian Parliament (Seabed Mining Case)

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is challenging a Norwegian parliamentary decision to open up vast areas of the seabed for mining. The organization argues that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) on which the decision was based is inadequate. In April 2024, WWF notified the government of its intention to sue if the decision was not reversed. WWF maintains that the EIA does not meet the minimum requirements set out in the Norwegian Subsea Minerals Act §2-2. The organization also points out that the Norwegian Environment Directorate has expressed similar concerns. WWF further argues that the EIA shows that the Norwegian government does not have sufficient knowledge to assess the environmental impacts of seabed mining. Without this knowledge, it is impossible to properly assess the consequences of exploration and extraction activities. WWF's lawsuit aims to prevent the Norwegian government from violating the law by opening up a new and potentially destructive industry without adequately assessing the consequences. The organization believes that this would set a dangerous precedent and could lead to irreversible environmental damage. Several Norwegian political parties, including the Socialist Left Party, the Liberal Party, the Red Party, the Green Party, and the Christian People's Party, voted against the decision to open up the seabed for mining. These parties share WWF's concerns about the inadequacy of the EIA and the potential environmental risks of seabed mining. WWF has urged the Norwegian government to reconsider its decision and conduct a more thorough EIA that takes into account the full range of potential environmental impacts of seabed mining.