Global Governance of Antarctica (AQA A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Rhiannon Molyneux
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Governance over Antarctica
Antarctica is not a nation-state and does not have a government to manage it or make decisions
However, several nations have made territorial claims to particular parts of the continent - Australia, Chile, Argentina, Norway, France, New Zealand and the UK
Some of the claims overlap but none of them are universally recognised by the international community
If individual countries act in their own self-interest, rather than the interest of the global community, it will become damaged and depleted
As a global common that is threatened by over-exploitation, Antarctica needs to be governed by global institutions to manage it sustainably
IGOs in Antarctica
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP was established by the United Nations in 1972 to provide global leadership and encourage cooperation in caring for the environment
Some ways that UNEP helps to protect Antarctica are:
Coordinating and promoting global policies to address key environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and waste
Supporting research and monitoring in Antarctica to enhance knowledge and understanding of the impacts of human activity
Raising awareness about the importance of Antarctica and its unique biodiversity
Supporting the development of responsible tourism strategies in Antarctica
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
Treaties & Protection of Antarctica
Antarctic Treaty
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
As pressure on Antarctica grew, it was decided that the Treaty needed to be strengthened to enhance the protection of the environment
The Protocol on Environmental Protection (also known as the Madrid Protocol) was signed by 45 nations in 1991
It established Antarctica as a ‘natural reserve, devoted to peace and science’
NGOs in Antarctica
NGOs play an important role in monitoring threats and enhancing the protection of Antarctica
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) was founded in 1978 by a group of NGOs that were concerned about the impact of human activity in the region
The coalition includes Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)
ASOC promotes scientific research and the conservation and sustainable use of the area
It raises awareness of environmental issues in the region and fights for stronger environmental protections
ASOC has actively promoted the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) to conserve and protect the diverse and unique wildlife
e.g. an MPA in the pristine and ecologically important Weddell Sea region would help to protect a range of species, including penguins, whales and seals
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you can give examples of the different IGOs, NGOs and treaties that work to protect Antartica. You will need to be able to explain how each one contributes to conservation efforts. Remember to consider which are most and least effective and why.
Analysis & Assessment of Governance in Antarctica
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Antarctic Treaty
Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
The Antarctic Treaty is widely recognised as one of the most successful international agreements | If countries disagree about an issue, one country can stop a resolution going forward |
It has lasted over 60 years with no major problems | There are no legal penalties for violating agreements |
It promotes peaceful cooperation and has helped to prevent military conflicts and tensions | Sometimes it takes a long time for decisions to be made because of the consensus-based decision-making process |
It promotes scientific research and environmental protection |
|
Strengths and Weaknesses of the International Whaling Commission
Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
It promotes international cooperation amongst scientists and governments | Members are free to opt out and there are no penalties for leaving e.g. Japan left in 2018 |
It has been collecting data on whale populations are whaling activities for over 70 years so has a large database of information | Countries can choose not to follow the IWC’s regulations e.g. Norway and Iceland still take whales commercially |
There is a strong focus on scientific research to ensure data is accurate and reliable | There are loopholes in the IWC regulations e.g. until recently, Japan carried out commercial whaling for ‘scientific research’ purposes |
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