Antarctica Case Study - IGOs & NGOs

AQA A-Level Geography - Global systems and Governance

Whta is the Antarctic Treaty system?

• Signed 1959 → bans military activity, nuclear testing and mineral mining

• 12 countries origionally signed up - now any UN member can (52 so far)

What are the advantages of the ATS?

• encourages scientific cooperation - all research must be shared internationally

• Protects the environment - Madrid protocol added strong environmental safeguards

What are the disadvantages of the ATS?

• Bans on resource exploitation - limits economic opportunities

• Tourism/human impact increasing - risks such as pollution & wildlife disturbance

What is the Madrid Protocol?

• 45 nations signed it in 1991

• It agrees to:

  • A ban on mineral resource activity

  • Exploraion of the continental shelf

  • Ban on introducing non-native species

  • Waste management rules

What are the advantages of the Madrid Protocol?

• 45 nations signed it: big reach & influential/lots of countries following it

• Actual difference made

What are the disadvantages of the Madrid Protocol?

• No legal consequence for breaking it - done by trust - may not be effective

• Antarctica is massive - hard to keep track of all activity

What are the impacts of the UN/UNEP to the governance of antarctica?

• Any UN member can sign the AT - doesn’t manage it but recognises the importance

• UN bodies such as the UNEP provide expertise and guidance

• Works with the scientific committee on antarctic research (SCAR) to provide scientific assessments relevant to Antarctica

What is the CCAMLR?

• Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

• 1982

• The convention applies to all marine living resources which form part of the Antarctic marine ecosystem

What is the IWC?

• Set up under the international convention for the regulation of whaling in 1946

• Its roles include:

  • Setting catch limits & hunting restrictions

  • Working with scientific committee to study and research whaling

  • coordinating conservation work

  • Providing funds for conservation and research

What are the criticisms of the IWC?

• No penalties for countries who decide to leave e.g. Japan 2018

• Some countries don’t abide by the rules - e.g. Norway & Iceland still comercially take whales

• Countries can exploit loopholes → Japan used the reason ‘scientific research’ to commercially whale

What is the Whaling Moratorium?

Introduced 1982 → banned all comercial whaling on all species and populations

What is ASOC?

• Founded 1978 → Coalition of over 30 NGOs

• Is the only NGO dedicated full time to protecting antarctica and the southern ocean

• Key Work: established Marine Protocol Areas (MPAs) in regions like the ross sea

• Highlights threats from fishing & climate change + promotes Antarctica as a vital climate research zone

What work does Greenpeace do in antarctica?

• It isn’t part of the formal governance structure but have helped bring awareness

• What they have done:

  • 1950s → built the World Park Base to draw attention to the continent’s fragility

  • Campaigned for the 1989 ban on mining in Antarctica

  • Advocates for continued enforcement of environmental protection under the Antarctic Treaty (1959) and the Protocol on Environmental Protection (1991)

What are the positives to NGOs combined power for Antarctica?

• Stronger impact & power

• Backed by science and research

• More awareness e.g. joint campaigns

What are the negatives to NGOs combined power for Antarctica?

• May lack enforcement power - can raise awareness - but unable to directly stop harmful activities themselves (require governments support to make meaningful changes)