GSR, the deep-sea exploratory division of the DEME Group, is among the first signatories to the UN’s Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles. The group of 30 leading companies and institutional investors have committed to take action to secure a healthy and productive ocean. The principles provide a foundation for business to engage in ocean sustainability in the lead-up to the UN Ocean Conference in June 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal, and beyond. Kris Van Nijen, General Manager of GSR, said: “By supporting these principles, as well as continuing to work in partnership with independent scientists and civil society, we’re demonstrating our commitment to a healthy ocean, while enabling the transition towards a decarbonised world.” GSR has a track record of partnering with world-class scientific institutions to ensure decisions are based on best available scientific evidence and to contribute to global marine scientific knowledge. The Sustainable Ocean Principles were developed by the ​UN Global Compact Action Platform on Sustainable Ocean Business​ in consultation with stakeholders from the private sector, NGOs, academic institutions and UN agencies. In committing to the nine principles, companies pledge to take action to prevent pollution, manage their use of marine resources to ensure long-term sustainability, and be transparent about their ocean-related activities and impacts. The Sustainable Ocean Principles are being highlighted at this week’s Our Ocean Conference 2019 in Oslo as one of the commitments businesses can make. Other signatories​ include A.P. Møller – Mærsk, PepsiCo, and Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages one of the world’s largest funds with over US$ 1 trillion in assets. About GSR GSR is the deep-sea exploratory division of the Deme Group, world leader in dredging, marine engineering and environmental remediation.  In close collaboration with the scientific and academic communities, GSR has been researching polymetallic nodules in the CCZ since 2013.

About the UN Global Compact Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or 'Global Goals')

The UN Global Compact Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business is taking a comprehensive view of the role of the ocean in achieving the 17 Global Goals. The aim is to explore attractive, viable solutions and best practices for sustainable use and management of the ocean.

By bringing together the leading industries in aquaculture, energy production, fisheries and shipping with key banks, equity funds and insurance companies, the Platform has a cross-industry, cross-UN and cross-Global Goals approach.

Leading up to the 2020 UN Ocean Conference, the Platform is designed to drive decision-making processes and catalyze partnerships to advance shared ocean priorities across all 17 Global Goals with a specific aim to scale up the commitments and performance of companies on this critical agenda.