Abstract
The Antarctic has significant environmental, scientific, historic, and intrinsic values, all of which are worth protecting into the future. Nevertheless, the area is subject to an increasing level and diversity of human activities that may impact these values within marine, terrestrial and cryosphere environments. Threats to the Antarctic environment, and to the aforementioned values, include climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, wildlife disturbance and non-native species introductions. Over time, a suite of legally binding international agreements, which form part of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), has been established to help safeguard the Antarctic environment and provide a framework for addressing the challenges arising from these threats. Foremost among these agreements are the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Many scientists working in Antarctica undertake research that is relevant to Antarctic environmental policy development. More effective two-way interaction between scientists and those responsible for policy development would further strengthen the governance framework, including by (a) better communication of policy makers’ priorities and identification of related science requirements and (b) better provision by scientists of ‘policy-ready’ information on existing priorities, emerging issues and scientific/technological advances relevant to environmental protection. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) has a long and successful record of summarizing policy-relevant scientific knowledge to policy makers, such as through its Group of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation (GOSEAC) up to 2002, currently the SCAR Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System (SCATS) and recently through its involvement in the Antarctic Environments Portal. Improvements to science-policy communication mechanisms, combined with purposeful consideration of funding opportunities for policy-relevant science, would greatly enhance international policy development and protection of the Antarctic environment.
Highlights
The fourth of October 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of the agreement of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed in 1991 in Madrid and entered into force in 1998
Many scientists working in Antarctica undertake research that is relevant to Antarctic environmental policy development
Discussions are ongoing within CCAMLR about further opportunities for the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (SC-CAMLR) and CCAMLR to draw on policy-ready research outcomes made available via Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)
Summary
The fourth of October 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of the agreement of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed in 1991 in Madrid and entered into force in 1998. Discussions are ongoing within CCAMLR about further opportunities for the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (SC-CAMLR) and CCAMLR to draw on policy-ready research outcomes made available via SCAR. Enhanced collaboration between the CEP and SC-CAMLR in recent years, including through two joint workshops (e.g., see Grant and Penhale, 2016), has identified several issues of mutual interest and a suite of shared science needs Both the CEP and SC-CAMLR have recognised that closer engagement with SCAR will be helpful to further understand and address the implications of climate change for the protection and conservation of the Antarctic region (ATS, 2016; Constable, 2016; SCCAMLR, 2016)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have