Deep Sea Mining: Balancing Environmental Concerns with Renewable Energy Needs

Deep Sea Mining: Balancing Environmental Concerns with Renewable Energy Needs PDF Author: Nandini Goel
Publisher: Nandini Goel
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 45

Book Description
(This book is Part I in the Regulatory Dilemma Series which tries to address the question of 'How much Regulation?') This part I of the Regulatory Dilemma Series deals specifically with the issue of Deep-Sea Mining. Mining deep sea minerals can serve a lot of growing energy needs, especially renewable energy demands to fuel electrical vehicles. But they are an environmental hazard to the marine ecosystem. UNCLOS under Part XI on Deep Sea Mining and other International Law principles emphasize on Equitable Sharing and Technology Transfer which is not amenable to a lot of companies and countries like USA. Interestingly, no exploration or mining contract for Deep Sea Mining can be given to a private company without being sponsored by a Sponsoring State guaranteeing compliance with the UNCLOS obligations and corresponding liabilities and other requirements. This raises an interesting question in relation to US Companies as US is currently not a signatory to Part XI of UNCLOS. This part will look at the recent developments at the International Level and internally within various nation states and try to figure a way out of this Regulatory Dilemma related to Deep Sea Mining.

The Power of Renewables

The Power of Renewables PDF Author: Chinese Academy of Engineering
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309160006
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive role to play in the world's clean energy future. Both countries are also motivated by related goals, namely diversified energy portfolios, job creation, energy security, and pollution reduction, making renewable energy development an important strategy with wide-ranging implications. Given the size of their energy markets, any substantial progress the two countries make in advancing use of renewable energy will provide global benefits, in terms of enhanced technological understanding, reduced costs through expanded deployment, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to conventional generation from fossil fuels. Within this context, the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), reviewed renewable energy development and deployment in the two countries, to highlight prospects for collaboration across the research to deployment chain and to suggest strategies which would promote more rapid and economical attainment of renewable energy goals. Main findings and concerning renewable resource assessments, technology development, environmental impacts, market infrastructure, among others, are presented. Specific recommendations have been limited to those judged to be most likely to accelerate the pace of deployment, increase cost-competitiveness, or shape the future market for renewable energy. The recommendations presented here are also pragmatic and achievable.

Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation PDF Author: Ottmar Edenhofer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107607101
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1088

Book Description
This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy sources - bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind energy - as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It considers the environmental and social consequences associated with the deployment of these technologies, and presents strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. SRREN brings a broad spectrum of technology-specific experts together with scientists studying energy systems as a whole. Prepared following strict IPCC procedures, it presents an impartial assessment of the current state of knowledge: it is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive. SRREN is an invaluable assessment of the potential role of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change for policymakers, the private sector, and academic researchers.

New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea

New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea PDF Author: Tomas Heidar
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004437754
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 498

Book Description
New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea focuses on the challenges posed to the existing legal framework, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the various ways in which States are addressing these challenges.

Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-Sea Mining PDF Author: Rahul Sharma
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319525573
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 535

Book Description
This comprehensive book contains contributions from specialists who provide a complete status update along with outstanding issues encompassing different topics related to deep-sea mining. Interest in exploration and exploitation of deep-sea minerals is seeing a revival due to diminishing grades and increasing costs of processing of terrestrial minerals as well as availability of several strategic metals in seabed mineral resources; it therefore becomes imperative to take stock of various issues related to deep-sea mining. The authors are experienced scientists and engineers from around the globe developing advanced technologies for mining and metallurgical extraction as well as performing deep sea exploration for several decades. They invite readers to learn about the resource potential of different deep-sea minerals, design considerations and development of mining systems, and the potential environmental impacts of mining in international waters.

Environmental Issues of Deep-Sea Mining

Environmental Issues of Deep-Sea Mining PDF Author: Rahul Sharma
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 303012696X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 576

Book Description
This volume discusses environmental issues associated with deep-sea mining, with an emphasis on potential impacts, their consequences and the policy perspectives. The book describes the methods and technologies to assess, monitor and mitigate mining impacts on marine environments, and also suggests various approaches for environmental management when conducting deep-sea mining. The volume brings together information and data for researchers, contractors, mining companies, regulators, and NGOs working in the field of deep-sea mining. Section 1 highlights the various environmental issues and discusses methods and approaches that can help in developing environmentally sustainable deep-sea mining. Section 2 details the results and outcomes of studies related to impact assessment of deep-sea mining, and proposes methods for monitoring. Section 3 discusses the need and means for developing data standards and their application to deep-sea mining. Section 4 discusses the policies, approaches, and practices related to deep-sea mining, suggests formats for developing environmental impact statements (EIS) and environmental management plans (EMP), and describes national and international regulations for environmental management. Section 5 concludes the text by putting deep-sea economic activities into an environmental context and conducting techno-economic analyses of deep-sea mining and processing.

Electricity from Renewable Resources

Electricity from Renewable Resources PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030913708X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 386

Book Description
A component in the America's Energy Future study, Electricity from Renewable Resources examines the technical potential for electric power generation with alternative sources such as wind, solar-photovoltaic, geothermal, solar-thermal, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources. The book focuses on those renewable sources that show the most promise for initial commercial deployment within 10 years and will lead to a substantial impact on the U.S. energy system. A quantitative characterization of technologies, this book lays out expectations of costs, performance, and impacts, as well as barriers and research and development needs. In addition to a principal focus on renewable energy technologies for power generation, the book addresses the challenges of incorporating such technologies into the power grid, as well as potential improvements in the national electricity grid that could enable better and more extensive utilization of wind, solar-thermal, solar photovoltaics, and other renewable technologies.

The Mineral Resources of the Sea

The Mineral Resources of the Sea PDF Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080870376
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 327

Book Description
The Mineral Resources of the Sea

The International Seabed Authority and the Precautionary Principle

The International Seabed Authority and the Precautionary Principle PDF Author: Aline L. Jaeckel
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004332286
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 382

Book Description
In The International Seabed Authority and the Precautionary Principle, Aline L. Jaeckel offers an insightful analysis of the work of the International Seabed Authority and examines whether the Authority is implementing the precautionary principle in regulating and managing deep seabed minerals.

Sustainable Ocean Resource Governance

Sustainable Ocean Resource Governance PDF Author: Markus Kotzur
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004360271
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 297

Book Description
In Sustainable Ocean Resource Governance an international group of eminent authors offer perspectives on the legal interface between sustainable economic growth, effective marine resource management and urgent environmental protection of the sea by addressing three key issues: deep sea mining, marine energy generation, and seabed pipeline and cable systems. In light of the sectoral nature of current ocean governance and the existing patchwork of management arrangements for the oceans, this book gives insights in search for a coherent and consistent sustainability approach.