Research Project at the Centre
The Principle of Common Heritage and Natural Resource Exploitation in the Deep Sea and Outer Space
The project revisits past and examines present negotiations for an international legal regime for deep seabed mining as well as the exploitation of resources in outer space. I, firstly, explore the argument that the principle of common heritage establishes the jurisdictional basis for effective exploitation of natural resources. Secondly, I inquire how this principle may be operationalized today in spaces beyond the territorial jurisdiction of states in order to promote a just resolution of distribution conflicts not only between states, but also between competing societal interests such as material prosperity and conservation of the environment.