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North-South Environmental Law (NSEL) Beca International Consultants (Beca) 6 June 2011

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Who are we?


y Robert Makgill North-South Environmental Law (NSEL) y Environmental lawyer y Specialist in governance of natural resources in international and sovereign waters y Advises States, IGO s and private sector interests y Keith Frentz Beca International Consultants y Technical Director y Environmental management specialist y Policy and strategic advisor

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Why are we here?


The lawyer: y To outline the LOSC framework for mineral resources y To discuss recent ITLOS Advisory Opinion y To discuss how State legislation should look The Planner: y To discuss good environmental practice and management y To discuss practical implementation of the legislation y To discuss capacity building, training and the tools needed

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NSEL
NSEL is a specialist environmental and public law firm. y Robert s recent work at NSEL includes legal counsel to:
y IUCN on ITLOS DSM advisory opinion proceedings - 2011 y NORI on legislative and admin regime for DSM - 2011 y Local Government NZ on drafting and enactment of Marine

and Coastal Area Act 2011 - 2010 y NZ Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on environmental regulation of EEZ - 2010 y IUCN concerning provision under domestic legislation for integrated coastal management in Fiji - 2009

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LOSC mineral resources


y Territorial Sea y 12 nautical miles y State exclusive competence to regulate access to minerals y Continental Shelf & EEZ y Submerged prolongation of land territory concerned state sovereign rights over non-living resources y 200 n miles zone applies to living and non-living resources y Non-living resource management not premised on conservation under LOSC y Minerals can be exploited without regard to sustainability y Exploitation must adhere to marine protection obligations Part XII LOSC

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LOSC mineral resources


y High Seas & Area y The Area is not subject state jurisdiction y Common heritage regime vests resources in international community as a whole y Exploration and exploitation of mineral resources open to all states y Establishes regime for administering prospecting, exploration and exploitation of minerals through ISA y The obligations of States for DSM activities in the Area is set out in ITLOS AO 2011

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ITLOS advisory opinion


y General obligation of due diligence not to cause harm to the environment beyond national jurisdiction y Conduct and not result

y Direct obligations under LOSC


y The Precautionary Approach y Best Environmental Practice

not best available technology y Environmental Impact Assessment

y Adopt laws and regulations and to take administrative measures (i.e. implement, monitor & enforce)

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LOSC - Coastal states to adopt laws


y Part XII - Protection and preservation marine environment y Exploration and exploitation of minerals will have some level of effect on ocean-bottom environment e.g. pollution y Art 208(1) requires coastal states to adopt laws and regulations to prevent, reduce and control pollution to the marine environment from seabed activities in their jurisdiction (i.e. Territorial Sea, EEZ & Continental Shelf) y Must be no less effective than international rules, standards and recommended practices and procedures

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State legislation should


y Prevent, reduce and control pollution from seabed activities y Prevent environmental harm beyond national jurisdiction y Be no less effective than international law y Precautionary approach y Best environmental practice y EIA y Monitoring and enforcement y May be activity specific where information is sound y More reliably effects based where information incomplete

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Beca International Consultants


y New Zealand employee owned y In the Pacific for over 40 years y Coastal Infrastructure Management Plans in Samoa y Shoreline Protection Guidelines in Kiribati y College of Marshall Islands, RMI y Ataviu Port, Cook Islands y Tuvalu Ship to Shore project y Climate Change Adaptation y Ports, Airports, Roads

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ood Environmental Practice and Management


y Principles
y Build sustainable communities y Respect Social and Cultural wellbeings y Balance the economic benefits/costs

y Strong Environmental Objectives


y Start from a terrestrial base y Build on existing legislation

where it exists y Build it for your Grandchildren

y Precautionary Approach
y Test, Monitor, Review

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Practical Implementation
y Working with people on practical solutions

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y Work with the environment

not against it

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Capacity Building and Training


y Understanding of what you have y Understanding of what you need y Identify the gaps y Plan how to fill the gaps y Seek support UNDP, NZAid, AusAid, Consultants y It helps if everyone knows what you are doing and why

you are doing it training affects everyone.

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What will it mean to you?


y How will it assist Pacific Island Communities? y Social y Cultural y Economic y Environmental

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