Permanent facilities for tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica
The Representatives,
Recalling the designation of Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science in Article 2 and the Environmental Principles contained in Article 3 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty;
Recalling Resolutions 5 (2007) and 7 (2009);
Conscious of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting’s (“ATCM”) consensus that tourism in Antarctica should be undertaken in a safe manner that will not contribute to the long-term degradation of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems, or the intrinsic natural wilderness and historical values of Antarctica;
Recognising the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (“IAATO”) Bylaws that tourism will have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment;
Desiring to take a pragmatic and precautionary approach in order to prevent wilderness degradation in Antarctica;
Desiring to prevent additional strain on search and rescue (“SAR”) support and National Antarctic Programmes to respond to safety emergencies;
Emphasising that, given recent plans for such facilities, National Competent Authorities may urgently need advice;
Recommend that their Governments make every effort to prevent, and not authorise, permit or approve, the construction and/or exploitation of any structure or facility exclusively for tourism and other non-governmental activities to be operated in Antarctica over multiple seasons, where its construction, operations or removal is expected to have more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems, or the intrinsic natural wilderness and historical values of Antarctica. Examples include, but are not restricted to, buildings, wharves and jetties, and graded runways on exposed ground.
The Representatives,
Recalling the designation of Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science in Article 2 and the Environmental Principles contained in Article 3 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty;
Recalling Resolutions 5 (2007) and 7 (2009);
Conscious of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting’s (“ATCM”) consensus that tourism in Antarctica should be undertaken in a safe manner that will not contribute to the long-term degradation of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems, or the intrinsic natural wilderness and historical values of Antarctica;
Recognising the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (“IAATO”) Bylaws that tourism will have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment;
Desiring to take a pragmatic and precautionary approach in order to prevent wilderness degradation in Antarctica;
Desiring to prevent additional strain on search and rescue (“SAR”) support and National Antarctic Programmes to respond to safety emergencies;
Emphasising that, given recent plans for such facilities, National Competent Authorities may urgently need advice;
Recommend that their Governments make every effort to prevent, and not authorise, permit or approve, the construction and/or exploitation of any structure or facility exclusively for tourism and other non-governmental activities to be operated in Antarctica over multiple seasons, where its construction, operations or removal is expected to have more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems, or the intrinsic natural wilderness and historical values of Antarctica. Examples include, but are not restricted to, buildings, wharves and jetties, and graded runways on exposed ground.
