Code of Conduct for Activity within Terrestrial Geothermal Environments in Antarctica
The Representatives,
Recalling Article 3 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (“the Protocol”), which requires that activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;
Recognising that terrestrial geothermal sites in Antarctica may contain exceptional glaciological and geological features and support unique and diverse biological communities, and consequently may be of high scientific value to a wide range of disciplines;
Recognising also that some sites have already been subjected to relatively high levels of visitation and the focus of the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Activity within Terrestrial Geothermal Environments of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR Code of Conduct”) is on unvisited or relatively undisturbed sites;
Acknowledging that these environments may be at risk from impacts associated with human activities, including the introduction of non-native species;
Welcoming the development by the SCAR, through broad consultation, including with the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (“COMNAP”), of the SCAR Code of Conduct that Parties can apply and use, as appropriate, to assist with meeting their obligations under the Protocol;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. endorse the non-mandatory SCAR Code of Conduct as representing current best practice for planning and undertaking activities, as appropriate, in terrestrial geothermal environments in Antarctica;
2. consider the SCAR Code of Conduct during the environmental impact assessment process for activities within terrestrial geothermal areas and urge all potential visitors to consider the contents of this Code of Conduct in their planning; and
3. encourage all visitors to terrestrial geothermal environments to be fully conversant with and adhere to the guidelines in the SCAR Code of Conduct.
The Representatives,
Recalling Article 3 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (“the Protocol”), which requires that activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;
Recognising that terrestrial geothermal sites in Antarctica may contain exceptional glaciological and geological features and support unique and diverse biological communities, and consequently may be of high scientific value to a wide range of disciplines;
Recognising also that some sites have already been subjected to relatively high levels of visitation and the focus of the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Activity within Terrestrial Geothermal Environments of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR Code of Conduct”) is on unvisited or relatively undisturbed sites;
Acknowledging that these environments may be at risk from impacts associated with human activities, including the introduction of non-native species;
Welcoming the development by the SCAR, through broad consultation, including with the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (“COMNAP”), of the SCAR Code of Conduct that Parties can apply and use, as appropriate, to assist with meeting their obligations under the Protocol;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. endorse the non-mandatory SCAR Code of Conduct as representing current best practice for planning and undertaking activities, as appropriate, in terrestrial geothermal environments in Antarctica;
2. consider the SCAR Code of Conduct during the environmental impact assessment process for activities within terrestrial geothermal areas and urge all potential visitors to consider the contents of this Code of Conduct in their planning; and
3. encourage all visitors to terrestrial geothermal environments to be fully conversant with and adhere to the guidelines in the SCAR Code of Conduct.
