Scenario 01: Celestial Commons | United Nations Development Programme

INCLUDING HIGH-STAKES THEMES FOR CLIMATE, CONGESTED SPACE AND NEW FRONTIER CONFLICTS

In the early 2030s, the Celestial Stewardship Initiative (CSI) was founded in New York City, with centers in countries historically influenced by colonial exploitation. These countries, once heavily mined for valuable minerals, are now leading a movement for sustainable and equitable stewardship of space resources. CSI’s mission is based on the historical experiences of these regions to avoid the unregulated and exploitative practices of the past.

The “Guardrails for the Galaxy” campaign is CSI’s flagship initiative, promoting strong regulations and collaborative approaches to space mining. By promoting technology sharing, CSI aims to prevent monopolization and ensure that space mining benefits all countries, especially emerging economies.

CSI successfully brokered negotiations for the “Lunar Legacy Pact,” an international agreement signed by major space-faring nations and private entities. This pact establishes sustainable quotas and responsible methods for lunar mining. It also created a global fund, financed by revenues from space resources, to support renewable energy projects on Earth, particularly in regions historically disadvantaged by colonial practices.

CSI addresses potential conflicts over space resources by facilitating dialogue between countries and industries. It works to establish cooperative rules, and discourages behavior that could lead to geopolitical tensions.

Through partnerships with environmental organizations, policymakers and the United Nations, CSI is helping to shape a global policy framework that includes rigorous environmental impact assessments and requires remediation guarantees from companies involved in space mining.

By locating its main units in countries once marked by colonial exploitation, CSI underscores the importance of learning from history to secure the future. This strategic location symbolizes a commitment to managing space with equity, sustainability and foresight, and protecting these new domains for future generations.

ARTEFACT 01: CSI PROGRESS REPORT

CELESTIAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE THREE-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT SUMMARY:

Since its founding in 2030, the Celestial Stewardship Initiative (CSI) has promoted sustainable and equitable stewardship of space resources. Based in New York City and with operations centers around the world, CSI ensures that the use of space resources avoids the mistakes of previous resource exploitation.

Performance

1. Launch of the “Guardrails for the Galaxy” campaign – CSI’s flagship campaign has successfully advocated for stricter regulations and collaborative approaches to space mining.
2. Negotiations on the “Lunar Legacy Pact” – This international agreement, signed by major space-faring nations and private entities, establishes sustainable quotas and environmentally friendly methods for lunar mining. A portion of the revenues from space resources finance renewable energy projects on Earth.
3. Preventing an International Conflict – CSI brokered a peaceful resolution between two major space-faring nations over a disputed asteroid.
4. Environmental and Social Governance – CSI has partnered with environmental organizations, policymakers, and the UN to create a global policy framework for space resource management, including rigorous environmental impact assessments and restoration bonds.
5. Educational and Outreach Programs – CSI has launched programs to raise awareness about sustainable management of space resources and responsible space exploration.
   Challenges and opportunities

While harmonising international regulations and ensuring compliance with them remains a challenge, they also offer opportunities to strengthen global cooperation and set higher standards for sustainable management of space resources.

Future direction

The first three years of CSI have laid a solid foundation for sustainable and fair management of space resources. Through historical insights and international cooperation, CSI is committed to ensuring that space exploration benefits all of humanity.

CSI will advocate for further international treaties, expand educational programs, and enhance global cooperation to ensure that technological advances in space mining benefit all countries and secure resources for future generations.