SDG 14: Life Below Water

There is an expectation that the private sector can and should play a significant role in promoting and supporting the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This SDG calls for a substantial reduction in the negative impacts on the world’s oceans and the protection of fragile marine ecosystems, including the widespread adoption of marine protected areas.

Mining-related activities that interact with marine environments—such as shipping, shallow seabed mining, and waste disposal—can significantly affect ocean ecosystems. While not yet commercialised, proposals for deep-sea mining pose potential risks to marine biodiversity that are not yet fully understood. Companies must identify and mitigate these impacts, support marine conservation efforts, and consider the rights and livelihoods of communities that depend on ocean resources.

What companies need to know to manage impacts or make a positive contribution
How operations impact the oceans, including the construction and operation of port facilities, shipping and discharges from cleaning cargo holds, and tailings or waste rock disposal. Understand relevant current and future legislation relating to oceans in operational areas, including marine protected areas. How communities local to marine-based activities may be adversely impacted, for example if fishing or other forms of livelihoods are disrupted.
Industry action may involve:
Embracing a precautionary approach to mining or waste disposal in marine areas. Collaborating with relevant authorities to establish conservation areas and marine reserves. Contributing to the development of multi-stakeholder coastal zone management plans disposing of mining tailings and waste according to international good practice standards. Assessing social and environmental impacts on marine ecosystems and species, protected areas, or marine-based livelihoods. Minimising ocean-borne pollution from product shipping, marine logistics and port construction and operation.