SCAR’s Environmental Code of Conduct for Terrestrial Scientific Field Research 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 the diversity of terrestrial environments, which include intrinsic and scientific values;
Acknowledging that these environments may be at risk from impacts associated with research activities, including through the introduction of non-native species, transfer of native species between locations, or the accidental release of contaminants;
Welcoming the development by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) through broad consultation, including with the input of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”), of SCAR’s Environmental Code of Conduct for Terrestrial Scientific Field Research in Antarctica (“the 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 Code of Conduct as representing current best practice for planning and undertaking activities in terrestrial Antarctic environments; and
2. encourage the consideration of the Code of Conduct during the environmental impact assessment process for activities to be conducted within terrestrial environments and encourage their researchers to abide, to the best of their ability by the contents of the Code of Conduct in conducting research activities in terrestrial environments.
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 the diversity of terrestrial environments, which include intrinsic and scientific values;
Acknowledging that these environments may be at risk from impacts associated with research activities, including through the introduction of non-native species, transfer of native species between locations, or the accidental release of contaminants;
Welcoming the development by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) through broad consultation, including with the input of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”), of SCAR’s Environmental Code of Conduct for Terrestrial Scientific Field Research in Antarctica (“the 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 Code of Conduct as representing current best practice for planning and undertaking activities in terrestrial Antarctic environments; and
2. encourage the consideration of the Code of Conduct during the environmental impact assessment process for activities to be conducted within terrestrial environments and encourage their researchers to abide, to the best of their ability by the contents of the Code of Conduct in conducting research activities in terrestrial environments.
