Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

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The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, also known as the Antarctic-Environmental Protocol is part of the Antarctic Treaty System. It provides for comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems.

It opened for signature on October 4, 1991 and entered into force seven years later on January 14, 1998.

1 Key Articles of the Treaty
2 Members
3 External links
4 References

[edit] Key Articles of the Treaty

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." This provision contrasts with the rejected Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities, which would have allowed mining under the control and taxation of an international managing body similar to the International Seabed Authority.
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Article 25(5) states that the Article 7 ban on mining may not be repealed unless a future treaty establishes a binding regulatory framework for such activity.