Washington, DC – August 1, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Today, Greenpeace USA unveiled its Race to the Top web application, which ranks eight major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers on their public stance on deep sea mining. US automakers Ford, General Motors, and Tesla were at the bottom of the ranking, as they have not made a public commitment supporting a moratorium on deep sea mining nor pledged to exclude deep sea minerals from their supply chains.
Deep sea mining companies are counting on the EV market to launch this destructive industry, which could begin operations as early as next year. Yet five of the eight EV manufacturers ranked by Greenpeace (Rivian, Renault, BMW Group, Volvo, and Volkswagen) have publicly supported a global moratorium on deep sea mining and publicly committed to not sourcing minerals from the deep seabed.
Greenpeace USA project lead on deep sea mining Arlo Hemphill said: “Should deep sea mining begin on an industrial scale, it would cause significant and irreversible damage to our oceans and our climate. The stance taken by Rivian, Renault, BMW Group, Volvo, and Volkswagen against deep sea mining is a strong signal to the mining companies lining up to plunder one of the most important and fragile ecosystems on Earth that this new industry may not even have a market. It is contradictory to the green energy and transport transition we need.”
Hemphill continued: “Ford, General Motors, and Tesla have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership that prioritizes the well-being of people and our planet by supporting the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining. Their silence on this issue is not acceptable.”
Electric vehicle companies have other options to reduce the need for minerals: they can reduce the need for minerals by scaling up closed-loop battery recycling and improving battery efficiency and new chemistries – two criteria taken into account in this ranking.
The launch of the Race to the Top application occurs as delegates from around the world are gathered in Kingston, Jamaica, for a meeting of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The body charged with protecting the seabed as the ‘common heritage of Humankind’ has been criticized by civil society for working closely with prospective deep sea mining companies and fast-tracking regulations that could allow the industry to begin operations as early as July 2023. It has also come under fire for its lack of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity and for hampering interactions between member states and civil society in one of the most important discussions about the future of the oceans.
Momentum is growing for a moratorium to stop the emerging industry before it starts as opposition builds from frontline communities, civil society, scientists, automobile and technology companies, financial institutions, and the fishing industry. The Pacific nations of Palau, Fiji, Samoa, and Micronesia, citing concerns about the impact the industry would have on the health of the ocean and the lives and livelihoods of Pacific Peoples, recently launched an alliance calling for a moratorium on the sector’s development. Chile also recently submitted a letter to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea calling for a 15-year moratorium on the nascent industry. Over 200 members of Parliament from 47 different countries have called for a moratorium on deep sea mining.
Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner James Hita said: “Should deep sea mining begin on an industrial scale, it would cause significant and irreversible damage to our oceans and our climate. The stance taken by Rivian, Renault, BMW Group, Volvo, and Volkswagen against deep sea mining is a strong signal to the mining companies lining up to plunder one of the most important and fragile ecosystems on Earth that this new industry may not even have a market. It is contradictory to the green energy and transport transition we need.”
Greenpeace USA welcomes the pledges of some of these automakers to publicly support a moratorium on deep sea mining and to keep deep sea minerals from their supply chains, but remains critical of a range of problems in this industry broadly, including labor abuses and fossil fuel emissions.
Contact: Tanya Brooks, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, P: 703-342-9226, E: tbrooks@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
More Info:
This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire – a global digital news source for investors and business leaders
Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions.
More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com
Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp
RenewableEnergyStocks.com: investing ideas in renewable energy stocks
Like Renewable Energy Stocks? View our Renewable Energy Stocks Directory
