Home The Natural Environment of Antarctica International Efforts to Protect Antarctica現在のページSummary of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
 
  Objective and Designation
  The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty designates Antarctica as a nature reserve devoted to peace and science.
  Environmental Principles
  Activities in Antarctica shall be planned and conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment and its ecosystems.
Activities in Antarctica shall be planned and conducted on the basis of prior environmental impact assessment.
Activities shall be planned and conducted in Antarctica so as to accord priority to scientific research and to preserve the value of Antarctica as an area for the conduct of such research.
   
Parties to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
 
Weddel seal
Weddel seal
Leptonychotes weddelli
Photograph:Charles Glover
 
  International Cooperation
  The Parties shall cooperate in the protection of the Antarctic environment and the conduct of environmental impact assessment in Antarctica.
  Prohibition of Mineral Resource Activities
  Any activity relating to mineral resources in Antarctica, other than scientific research, shall be prohibited.
  Environmental Impact Assessment
  Proposed activities in Antarctica shall be subject to the procedures set out in Annex I for prior assessment of the impacts on the Antarctic environment.
  Committee for Environmental Protection
  The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty establishes the Committee for Environmental Protection.
   
Black-browed albatross
Black-browed albatross
Diomedea melanophris
Photograph:Charles Glover
 
  Compliance with the Protocol and Inspection
  Each Party shall take appropriate measures within its competence, including the promulgation of laws and regulations, administrative actions and enforcement measures, to ensure implementation of the this Protocol, while arranging for inspections by observers and sending reports of inspections to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.
  Emergency Response Action
  Each Party shall provide for prompt and effective response action to emergencies and establish contingency plans for response to incidents with potential adverse effects on the Antarctic environment and ecosystems.
  Liability
  The Parties shall undertake to elaborate rules and procedures relating to liability for environmental damage in Antarctica.
   
Photograph:Charles Glover
       
 
Annexes
  Annex I: Environmental Impact Assessment
  Annex I explains that proposed activities in Antarctica require prior assessment of the impacts on the Antarctic environment.
  Annex II: Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora
  Annex II specifies the Antarctic animals and plants and their protection as well as restrictions on non-native species.
  Annex III: Wastes Disposal and Management
  Annex III encourages to reduce the amount of wastes as far as practicable and specifies wastes to be removed from Antarctica (radio-active materials, electrical batteries, wastes containing harmful levels of heavy metals, etc.), incineration, disposal on land and in the sea, storage, restriction on materials (PCB, non-sterile soil, polystyrene beads, chips or similar forms of packaging, etc.), wastes management plans and strategies.
 
  Annex IV: Prevention of Marine Pollution
  Annex IV prohibits the discharge of oil or oily mixture, noxious liquid substances, garbage including plastics and sewage into the sea while ships owned by Parties and any other supporting ships are operating in Antarctica.
  Annex V: Area Protection and Management
  Annex V regulates the protection and management of the Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, the Antarctic Specially Managed Areas, Historic Sites and Monuments.
   
Gentoo Penguins
Gentoo Penguins
Pygoscelis papua
 
  Antarctic Specially Protected Areas   An area may be designated as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area to protect outstanding environmental, scientific, historic, aesthetic or wilderness values, any combination of those values, or ongoing or planned scientific research. It is required to obtain a permit for entry into an Antarctic Specially Protected Area.
  Antarctic Specially Managed Areas   An area may be designated as an Antarctic Specially Managed Area to avoid possible conflicts, improve cooperation between Parties or minimize environmental impacts. A permit is not required for entry.
  Historic Sites and Monuments   Sites or monuments of recognized historic value may be listed as Historic Sites and Monuments.
   
       
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