Home The Natural Environment of Antarctica International Efforts to Protect AntarcticaSummary 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 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 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 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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