123
Appendices
Appendix 1—Study Methodology
Study Framework
The pivotal question of the study is that of evaluating the potential of the main deepsea mineral resources (metal ores and natural hydrogen) that represent a strategic
goal for France and the European Union for 2030.
This initiative aimed to answer three main questions on these resources by 2030:
what scientific and technological knowledge is required for their discovery and exploitation? What socio-economic conditions are liable to make their exploitation
competitive? What environmental impacts of their exploitation can be foreseen?
In terms of methodology, the analysis drew upon the representation of the studied
system (global environment, review of current scientific knowledge, sectors, challenges for stakeholders) before exploring possible evolutions of major variables,
followed by the conditions required to harness the potential of these resources. It
was therefore possible to identify the dynamics relating to the main sectors and
draw lessons in order to define action proposals, including a national research and
development programme.
The ten working meetings, as well as the three Steering Committee meetings,
were planned over ten months, which facilitated the continuity of efforts and progress monitoring. These meetings were held between 30th September 2009 (first
Steering Committee meeting) and 7th July 2010 (last Steering Committee meeting).
The Working Group also heard fourteen experts to improve its knowledge of the
subjects studied.
Specificities of the Approach and Chosen Study Arrangement
In most prospective approaches, the parameters closest to the subject are the most
accurately defined and most well-known. Major uncertainties are often associated
with aspects relating to the overall context and the involvement of stakeholders
in the sector. In this case, this situation is largely reversed: the least known, and
most uncertain, phenomena are the marine mineral resources themselves and their
Y. Fouquet, D. Lacroix (eds.), Deep Marine Mineral Resources,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8563-1, © Éditions Quæ 2014
Appendices
Appendix 1—Study Methodology
Study Framework
The pivotal question of the study is that of evaluating the potential of the main deepsea mineral resources (metal ores and natural hydrogen) that represent a strategic
goal for France and the European Union for 2030.
This initiative aimed to answer three main questions on these resources by 2030:
what scientific and technological knowledge is required for their discovery and exploitation? What socio-economic conditions are liable to make their exploitation
competitive? What environmental impacts of their exploitation can be foreseen?
In terms of methodology, the analysis drew upon the representation of the studied
system (global environment, review of current scientific knowledge, sectors, challenges for stakeholders) before exploring possible evolutions of major variables,
followed by the conditions required to harness the potential of these resources. It
was therefore possible to identify the dynamics relating to the main sectors and
draw lessons in order to define action proposals, including a national research and
development programme.
The ten working meetings, as well as the three Steering Committee meetings,
were planned over ten months, which facilitated the continuity of efforts and progress monitoring. These meetings were held between 30th September 2009 (first
Steering Committee meeting) and 7th July 2010 (last Steering Committee meeting).
The Working Group also heard fourteen experts to improve its knowledge of the
subjects studied.
Specificities of the Approach and Chosen Study Arrangement
In most prospective approaches, the parameters closest to the subject are the most
accurately defined and most well-known. Major uncertainties are often associated
with aspects relating to the overall context and the involvement of stakeholders
in the sector. In this case, this situation is largely reversed: the least known, and
most uncertain, phenomena are the marine mineral resources themselves and their
Y. Fouquet, D. Lacroix (eds.), Deep Marine Mineral Resources,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8563-1, © Éditions Quæ 2014