How SCAR informs decision-making for Antarctic governance: Perspectives from SCAR submissions

Abstract

Science plays an increasingly important role in responding to the issues arising from natural threats and anthropogenic activities in the Antarctic region. As one of the most prominent scientific non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Antarctic governance, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) participates in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) as an observer, informing the process of decision-making. To research on how SCAR informs decision-making, the study conducts empirical analysis of SCAR papers and examines their submission, adoption, and how they inform the decision-making process of the ATS. Based on the empirical analysis of SCAR papers, the study finds that with deeper involvement of SCAR in Antarctic governance, the number of papers submitted by SCAR shows an upward tendency, and the types of papers display the diversity. The actors submitting joint papers together with SCAR become diversified, and the Antarctic Treaty Consultant Parties (ATCPs) are the most important among these actors. The number of adopted papers also increases, especially the number adopted as resolutions, which promotes the revision of relevant rules. SCAR’s scientific functions in Antarctic governance are driven by the advancement of the ATS, the internal reform of SCAR, and supports from decision-makers. Given the limits of SCAR’s scientific functions based on the theory of science–policy interface, the cooperation among SCAR, increasing numbers of ATCPs, and other actors may better respond to the emerging challenges in the Antarctic region.