Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement - implementing Part IV: consultation analysis - summary report

Appendix A – Consultation Questions

1. Would you like your response to be confidential?

2. Would you be happy to be contacted by Defra or Scottish Government on detail of responses if needed?

3. Do you agree that the preferred approach (Option 1) would work effectively for regulating activities in ABNJ while remaining proportionate and able to adapt to future needs?

4. Do you agree that a self-determination screening could be used to determine if an activity meets the De Minimis Threshold?

5. Do you have any comments on the other options considered (Option 2, 3 and 4)?

6. Do you have any further comments you wish to make on this proposal or the above questions, including any views on potential economic impacts?

7. Do you agree with maintaining the existing scope of exemptions until such a time as further guidance is provided by the Conference of Parties or there is more evidence on impacts?

8. Do you have any views on the implementation of these proposals in relation to Scottish marine licensing or on the proposed update to the division of responsibilities for licensing marine activities in ABNJ?

9. Do you have any evidence indicating that any of the current exemptions should not apply in ABNJ? If so, please provide this evidence including relevant data.

10. Do you have any further comments you wish to make on this proposal or the above questions, including any views on potential economic impacts?

11. Do you believe any activities that occur or could potentially occur in ABNJ are not included in this list? If so, please provide details.

12. Do you have any evidence on the likelihood of the listed activities occurring in ABNJ? If so, please provide this evidence including relevant data.

13. Do you have any evidence on the potential environmental impacts of the listed activities in ABNJ or any non-listed activities, including whether they would meet the BBNJ De Minimis Threshold? If so, please provide this evidence including relevant data.

14. Do you have evidence on the types of companies, institutions or persons are likely to carry out activities in ABNJ and where are they likely to be registered or based?

15. Do you agree with the proposed approach to keep cable laying and maintenance exempt in ABNJ? Please provide any evidence on the environmental impacts of cable laying and maintenance to support your response.

16. Would you support a specific exemption for cable removals in ABNJ? Please provide any evidence on the environmental impacts of cable removal to support your response, in particular on if cable removals would meet the De Minimis Threshold.

17. Do you have any further comments you wish to make on this proposal or the above questions?

18. Do you agree with our proposed approach to Marine Scientific Research?

19. If you are aware of any, please provide the names of any other UK research vessels which could carry out their own EIA which the exemption could apply to?

20. Do you have any further comments you wish to make on this proposal or the above questions?

21. Do you agree with our proposed approach to rocket launch deposits?

22. Do you have any further comments you wish to make on this proposal?

23. Do you agree with the proposed approach to fees?

24. Do you have any other comments you wish to make on this proposal, including any views on potential economic impacts?

25. What information or criteria should be considered when deciding whether an activity meets the De Minimis Threshold?

26. Do you agree with the criteria used by the Self-determination screening?

27. What other information would be helpful for applicants to understand the regulatory process in ABNJ?

28. Do you have any further comments you wish to make on this proposal?