§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the provisions of the Treaty on the Peaceful Uses of Space cover the need for environmental assessments in the case of the launching of satellites from sea-based platforms on the high seas, close, and therefore possibly damaging, to the Exclusive Economic Zones of States Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and in areas where fish stocks may be vulnerable to exhaust. [HL2138]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space does not require that environmental impact assessments be carried out for satellite launches from sea-based platforms. However, many states, including the UK and US, have domestic laws which require companies wishing to engage in activities with possible environmental risks to carry out environmental assessments. For example, the recent inaugural launch by the Sea Launch company from a platform in the Pacific Ocean was subject to a detailed and transparently conducted environmental impact assessment in accordance with US law. The assessment concluded that there would be no significant environmental impact.