Antarctic treaty: environmental protocol
Official title: Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Environmental Protocol)
- Subject category:
- Marine / Oceans
- Type of agreement / instrument:
- Multilateral
- Form:
- Legally-binding treaty
- Status:
- Concluded in Madrid and opened for signature on October 4, 1991, as of May 2013 the Environmental Protocol has been ratified by 42 parties.
- Canada became a Non-Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty in 1988 (no financial obligations under the Treaty, and therefore no voting rights during yearly Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings).
- Canada ratified the Environmental Protocol in June 2003 with the passage of Bill C-42, An Act respecting the protection of the Antarctic Environment (Antarctic Environmental Protection Act). Under the Protocol Canada is a Party with full voting rights.
- The Protocol entered into force on January 14, 1998.
- Lead & partner departments:
- Lead:
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Partners:
- Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, Polar Knowledge Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- For further information:
- Web links:
- Antarctic Treaty Secretariat
- Contacts:
- ECCC Inquiry Centre
- Compendium edition:
- February 2022
- Reference #:
- A27/EN
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Environmental Protocol) [PDF - 665 KB]
Plain language summary
The Protocol on Environmental Protection ensures protection of the Antarctic environment from the effects of human activities. The Protocol requires that all activities undertaken in Antarctica be assessed for their potential environmental impacts and that authorizations are issued prior to activities taking place. Unlike many members of the Antarctic Treaty, Canada does not have a research base in Antarctica. Canadian researchers are, however, very active in Antarctica and work closely with other Antarctic Treaty members for access to research facilities. As well, Canadian companies are also very active in Antarctica in the tourism and transportation sectors. Canada issues permits each year for tourist operations, flight operations, and research projects.
Objective, key elements and expected results
Article 3 states that protection of the Antarctic environment as a wilderness with aesthetic and scientific value shall be a “fundamental consideration” of activities in the area.
Article 7 states that “Any activity relating to mineral resources, other than scientific research, shall be prohibited.”
Article 8 requires environmental assessment for all activities, including tourism.
Article 11 creates a Committee for Environmental Protection for the continent.
Article 15 calls for member states to be prepared for emergency response actions in the area.
Articles 18-20 arrange for arbitration of international disputes regarding Antarctica.
Article 25(5) states that the Article 7 ban on mining may not be repealed unless a future treaty establishes a binding regulatory framework for such activity.
Canada’s involvement
The Antarctic Environmental Protection Act is summarized as follows:
- To protect the Antarctic environment, particularly by implementing the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
- Provides a permitting regime that gives the Minister the necessary powers to ensure that the activities undertaken by Canadian expeditions, Canadian vessels and Canadian aircraft in the Antarctic are subject to an environmental impact assessment prior to their occurrence.
- Creates prohibitions to protect the Antarctic marine environment, specially protected areas and historic sites and monuments in the Antarctic, and species that are native to the Antarctic.
- The provisions of the legislation, including regulations adopted pursuant to the bill, apply to all, regardless of nationality, on Canadian expeditions (that is, expeditions organized in or proceeding from Canada) to the Antarctic. They apply to all Canadians, Canadian vessels, and aircraft in the Antarctic and to anyone at a Canadian station there. There is a permit system for people and activities covered by the legislation. This will encompass such things as environmental impact assessment, specially protected areas, waste management, and emergency plans.
- There are monitoring, reporting, and inspection provisions to allow enforcement. In Canada, the enforcement provisions are in line with the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), and the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
- Formal ratification of the Environmental Protocol shows our willingness as a nation to enforce these standards and participate in the global cooperative governance of Antarctica.
Results / progress
Activities
A Permit system is administered by ECCC to control Canadian activities in the Antarctic Treaty area. As of 2019, approximately 10% of the tourists entering the Antarctic are under the control of a Canadian permit.
Canada is now seeking to obtain Consultative Party Status to the Antarctic Treaty. This consultative status would enhance Canada’s role, influence and scientific contribution with respect to Antarctica and increase our ability to influence decisions related to the Protocol.
Reports
As prescribed by the Environmental Protocol, Canada provides an annual report of our activities to the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat.
Since 2004, Canada has issued 39 permits for travel to the Antarctic, mainly for tourism purposes.
Page details
- Date modified: