Antarctic groups are working to create a strict regulatory framework to control tourism.
Thursday, June 27, 2024 – 20:33 UTC
The CEP meeting addressed a range of issues and contributed to the implementation of the Environmental Protocol in Antarctica.
At the end of May, India hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46) and the 26th Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP-26) in Kochi, Kerala, with 404 delegates attending, of which 328 attended in person and 76 attended online.
The Parties stressed the importance of education and awareness-raising as a key element of cooperation under the Antarctic Treaty and its Environmental Protocol.A key outcome was the adoption of a decision on the establishment of an ambitious, comprehensive, flexible and dynamic framework for the regulation of tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India through the National Centre for Polar and Marine Research (NCPOR) and the SCAR address was delivered by Dr. Sheeba Chenori who highlighted the remote connectivity between the tropics and Antarctic regions.Key discussions at the ATCM included operations of the Antarctic Treaty System, responsibilities, biological exploration, information exchange, education issues, multi-year strategic work plan, safety, inspection, scientific issues, future scientific challenges, scientific collaboration, impacts of climate change and tourism management among others.
The CEP meeting addressed a range of issues and contributed to the implementation of the Environmental Protocol in Antarctica: the Commission agreed to prioritise further work on the implications of sea ice change for management, strengthening environmental impact assessments of major activities, protecting emperor penguins and developing an international framework for environmental monitoring in Antarctica.
Following the advice of the CEP, the Parties adopted 17 revised and new Management Plans for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and several amendments/additions to the List of Historic Sites and Monuments (HSMs).
The ATCM also encouraged efforts to increase the use of renewable energy and ensure the implementation of biosecurity measures to minimise the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The CEP elected Seixa Poirot from New Zealand as its new chair and agreed that the next ATCM meeting will take place in Italy in 2025. The meeting will feature further discussions on tourism impacts and a tourism framework, which, if agreed, will impose strict regulations on tourism activities in Antarctica.
India has finally announced a successor to the 35-year-old Maitri research station. The decision has been welcomed with open arms, and India will now draw up blueprints, architectural and environmental plans before the federal government. Once ready, an environmental report for Maitri II will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Board for approval. India plans to commission Maitri II in the early 2030s.
At the recently concluded meeting in Cochin, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia became the newest member state to the club of Antarctic Treaty Parties.
