Antarctic Treaty

The Antarctic Treaty was signed on 1 December 1959 by the 12 countries whose scientists were active in the Antarctic region during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–1958 (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Soviet Union (now the Russian Federation), South Africa, the UK and the USA). The Treaty subsequently entered into force on 23 June 1961, and the first ATCM commenced 17 days later. The Treaty applies to the Antarctic Treaty area, which is the area south of latitude 60°S (Fig. 2). Provisions of the Treaty include that: 1) Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only, 2) freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica shall continue, 3) scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be made freely available, 4) military activity is prohibited, except in support of science, 5) nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste in the Antarctic are prohibited and 6) territorial claims shall be put into abeyance (i.e. those of the claimant states: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the UK). Parties have recently reaffirmed their commitment to the Treaty through, for example, the Paris Declaration 2021 (ATCM XLIII; see https://documents.ats.aq/ATCM43/ad/ATCM43_ad004_e.docx). At present, 56 nations have signed the Treaty.

Figure 2. Map of the Antarctic region, showing the Antarctic Treaty and Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources areas.

Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Environmental Protocol or Madrid Protocol) was signed in 1991 and entered into force in 1998. The Protocol designates Antarctica as ‘a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science’, prohibits all activities relating to Antarctic mineral resources, except those undertaken for reasons of scientific research, and has six annexes concerning 1) environmental impact assessment (EIA), 2) conservation of fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies (yet to enter into force). The Protocol established the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) as an expert advisory body to provide advice and formulate recommendations to the ATCM in connection with the implementation of the Protocol (McIvor Reference McIvor2020). At present, 42 nations have acceded to the Protocol and, by doing so, are entitled to send representatives to attend meetings of the CEP.

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

The CAMLR Convention was adopted in 1980 and entered into force in 1982 primarily as a multilateral response to concerns that unregulated increases in krill catches in the Southern Ocean could be detrimental for Antarctic marine ecosystems, particularly for seabirds, seals, whales and fish that depend on krill for food. The Convention applies to all Antarctic populations of finfish, molluscs, crustacea and sea birds found south of the Antarctic Convergence (the Convention Area; see Fig. 2). The Convention Area extends north to a line loosely based upon the southern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. As a result, the area includes the waters north of the Antarctic continent as far as latitude 60°S and in some case further north, which includes ocean areas around several sub-Antarctic islands (see Fig. 2). Unlike other instruments of the ATS, the Convention applies to waters that are subject to the governance of sovereign nations. In waters under national jurisdiction, the country in question can choose whether or not to abide by CCAMLR decisions. The CAMLR Convention does not consider the conservation or harvesting of whales and seals in the Antarctic region, which are considered under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and CCAS, respectively, although neither sealing nor whaling occurs currently. However, CCAMLR does consider the conservation of these species through, for example, specific regulations and Conservation Measures to 1) mitigate the incidental mortality of seals and whales by fishing vessels and 2) maintain populations of all krill-dependent predators.

The CAMLR Convention established CCAMLR as the primary decision-making body responsible for enacting the Convention. The Scientific Committee of CCAMLR (SC-CAMLR) was formed as a consultative subsidiary body to provide the best available science that the Commission can draw upon during its decision-making. CCAMLR Contracting Parties are states or regional economic integration organizations, such as the European Union, that have committed to the Convention through ratification or accession. Thirty-seven Contracting Parties have acceded to the Convention.

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals

CCAS was agreed in 1972 to regulate a possible resumption of sealing activities within the Treaty area, including through the establishment of 1) annual catch limits for each seal species, 2) six sealing zones, 3) a sealing season and 4) three seal reserves. However, when CCAS finally entered into force in 1978, no sealing industry had developed in Antarctica. Currently, 16 nations have acceded to the Convention. CCAS has now been largely superseded by Annex II Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which in effect prohibits the commercial harvesting of seals (Convey & Hughes Reference Convey and Hughes2022).

International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, which regulates global whaling activities, was agreed in 1946, predating the establishment of the ATS (Gales Reference Gales2022). As a result, this Convention sits outside the ATS, but it does have jurisdiction concerning whaling within the Southern Ocean, including the waters of the Antarctic Treaty area. Currently, 88 countries adhere to the Convention and are Members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

ACAP is not a component of the ATS and was concluded under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species. It was opened for signature in 2001 and entered into force in 2004 (Cooper et al. Reference Cooper, Baker, Double, Gales, Papworth, Tasker and Waugh2006). ACAP's aim is to conserve albatrosses and petrels by coordinating international activities to mitigate threats to their populations. A key focus of ACAP is to review and assess the status and population trends of all 31 ACAP-listed species (Phillips et al. Reference Phillips, Gales, Baker, Double, Favero and Quintana2016). Thirteen countries (Parties) have now joined the Agreement.

Other international agreements outside the Antarctic Treaty System

Several other international agreements that apply globally also include Antarctica within their jurisdiction. Examples include the many conventions that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for keeping up to date, and, in particular, the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code; Deggim Reference Deggim, Hildebrand, Brigham and Johansson2018). The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ostensibly also applies to the Southern Ocean, although interactions between UNCLOS and the ATS have rarely occurred and the relationship remains largely untested (Joyner Reference Joyner2010, Malone Reference Malone2018).

Meetings: Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

Since its first meeting in 1961, the ATCM has been the forum for governance of the Antarctic Treaty area. Each year the ATCM is held ‘for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and formulating and considering and recommending to their Governments measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty’ (Article IX). Parties may participate in ATCM decision-making (termed a ‘Consultative Party’) if they are one of the 12 original signatory nations to the Treaty or if they have demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the ATCM, their interest in Antarctica via undertaking ‘substantial scientific research activity’ there. In addition to the original signatories, 17 countries have met this requirement, making a total (at present) of 29 Consultative Parties.

At the ATCM, proposals and information exchange occur through the provision of papers to the Meeting, of which there are three types: Working Papers, Information Papers and Background Papers. Working Papers can only be submitted by Consultative Parties or Observers (i.e. CCAMLR, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)), are translated into the four official languages of the Meeting (English, French, Russian and Spanish) and should contain recommendations that require the consideration of the ATCM and are presented orally at the Meeting. Information Papers can be submitted by all ATCM participants, are made available to the Meeting only in the language in which they were submitted, do not contain recommendations and their oral presentation at the Meeting is not guaranteed. Background Papers are similar to Information Papers, with the exception that they are not presented orally at the Meeting. Papers submitted to the ATCM (and CEP) are available from the Meeting Document Archive of the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty (https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/DocDatabase?lang=e). The papers mentioned above are quite different from academic papers. Papers submitted to the ATCM may express the views or perspectives of the authoring Parties or organizations. Where information is provided, it may be based on peer-reviewed publications; however, this is not always the case, particularly when papers concern issues such as updates on national logistical arrangements or the operation of the ATCM, about which scientific publications are unlikely to be available.

Proposals, which are generally brought to the attention of the ATCM through Working Papers, must be approved through consensus by the Representatives of the 29 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty (i.e. the proposal will not be approved if one or more Parties object). The term ‘consensus’ can be taken to mean a mutually acceptable decision that integrates the interests of all concerned parties (Brockett et al. Reference Brockett, Clarke, Lindsay, Scherzer and Wilson2005) and in an ATS context is generally considered to be an ‘absence of any objection’ to a proposal or recommendation. Consensus is not the same as unanimous agreement, as the decision may not satisfy each Parties' concerns or interests equally or receive equal levels of support. The 27 non-Consultative Parties may attend the ATCM but do not participate in decision-making. Observers to the ATCM, which are organizations invited to attend and provide expertise and other perspectives at meetings, include the representatives of CCAMLR, COMNAP and SCAR. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs) and CCAMLR, COMNAP and SCAR may submit Working Papers to the Meeting that contain recommendations for consideration by the ATCM. In contrast, non-Consultative Parties and scientific, environmental and technical organizations designated as Invited Experts (listed at the end of this section) are not permitted to provide Working Papers but may provide Information Papers to the Meeting, where they may be introduced (see Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Venn diagram showing the membership of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), including selected organizations participating as Invited Experts or Observers. Representatives of CCAMLR attend the ATCM and CEP meetings. Representatives of CEP attend the ATCM and CCAMLR meetings. Countries are labelled according to their three-letter country codes (see https://www.iban.com/country-codes). EU stands for the European Union, which has membership within CCAMLR. ATCM: red circle; CCAMLR: blue circle; CEP: green circle. Black bold: Consultative Party to the ATCM, CCAMLR Member, CEP Member. Black, bold and italics: Consultative Party to the ATCM, Acceding State to CAMLR Convention, CEP Member. Black italics: Non-Consultative Party to the ATCM, Acceding State to CAMLR Convention, CEP Member. Red bold: Non-Consultative Party to the ATCM, non-signatory to CAMLR Convention, not a Member of CEP. Blue bold: Non-signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, Full Member of CAMLR Convention, not a Member of CEP. Blue, bold and underlined: Non-signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, Acceding State to CAMLR Convention, not a Member of CEP. Green bold: Consultative Party to the ATCM, CEP Member, non-signatory to CAMLR Convention. Green: Non-Consultative Party to the ATCM, CEP Member, non-signatory to CAMLR Convention. Selected Invited Expert and Observer Organizations are shown in purple. ACAP = Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels; ARK = Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies; ASOC = Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition; COLTO = Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators; COMNAP = Council of Mangers of National Antarctic Programs; IAATO = International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators; IWC = International Whaling Commission; SCAR = Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research; WMO = World Meteorological Organization.

Since the early 1990s, the ATCM has been held annually (usually between late April and early July), with the meeting hosted by one of the Consultative Parties (with the host normally moving in alphabetical order according to the English name for the nation). Simultaneous interpretation (speaking) and translation (of written materials) services are provided for the four official languages of the Treaty. The Meeting may divide its agenda between Working Groups, with recent Working Groups having been concerned with issues relating to ‘Science, Operations and Tourism’ and ‘Legal and Institutional Matters’. The activities of the ATCM are coordinated through its Multi-year Strategic Work Plan (e.g. see https://documents.ats.aq/ATCM44/att/ATCM44_att001_e.docx). As needed, the ATCM can convene an Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts (ATME) to consider a specific subject, with previous issues including climate change, tourism and shipping. The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat assists the ATCM and the CEP in performing their functions and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The ATCM considers many issues of relevance to the governance of the Antarctic Treaty area, including liability arising from environmental emergencies, biological prospecting, exchange of information, education, safety and operations, inspections under the Antarctic Treaty and Protocol, science, future science challenges, scientific cooperation and facilitation, the implications of climate change for management of the Antarctic Treaty area, tourism and non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area and competent authorities issues. The ATCM also considers the report of the CEP, which advises and provides recommendations on the implementation of the Protocol (see below). The annual ATCM meeting reports are available on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website (https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Info/FinalReports?lang=e), along with the documents submitted to the meetings by the Antarctic Treaty Parties, Observers and Invited Experts (see https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/DocDatabase?lang=e).

The ATCM receives science knowledge from several sources. A Party may communicate research information obtained by their nation's researchers via Working Papers, Information Papers or Background Papers to the Meeting. Alternatively, the ATCM may request or receive relevant science information in papers submitted by scientific research bodies, including the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) or SCAR. Each year, the ATCM also invites SCAR to provide a science lecture at the meeting.

Meetings: Committee for Environmental Protection

The CEP was established by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and first met in 1998, the same year in which the Protocol entered into force. The Committee's functions are ‘to provide advice and formulate recommendations to the Parties in connection with the implementation of this Protocol, including the operation of its Annexes, for consideration at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings’ (Article 12). The CEP membership comprises all Parties that are signatories to the Protocol. Currently, this comprises all 29 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty and 13 non-Consultative Parties. Observers to the Meeting include CCAMLR, COMNAP and SCAR. Other relevant scientific, environmental and technical organizations may attend meetings of the CEP subject to the approval of the ATCM. In providing its advice to the ATCM, the CEP must attempt to reach consensus, but in cases where this cannot be achieved, the Committee's report must set out all views expressed on the matter in question.

The CEP is informally led by the CEP Bureau, comprising the CEP Chair and the first and second Vice-Chairs and supported by a representative of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. The CEP meets every year in conjunction with the ATCM. The meeting commences before the ATCM, so that the CEP's advice from its meeting, in the form of a report, can be considered during the ATCM. The Committee's discussions are guided by the CEP Five-Year Work Plan, which focuses on high-priority environmental issues, including 1) management of risks associated with species not native to Antarctica, 2) management of environmental impacts of tourism and non-governmental activities, 3) understanding and responding to the environmental consequences of climate change in the Antarctic region and 4) improving the effectiveness of protected area management and enhancing the protected area system (see below). The Committee also uses management tools agreed under the Protocol to reduce future potential environment impact, such as through the EIA process, the designation of protected areas and the designation of specially protected species (SPS). CEP Members engage year-round in task-orientated activities, including through its Subsidiary Group on Climate Change Response (SGCCR) and Subsidiary Group on Management Plans (SGMP).

The CEP is an advisory body rather than a scientific body, but it has identified science needs that could be fulfilled by the Antarctic science community (see https://documents.ats.aq/ATCM43/att/ATCM43_att054_e.docx). In general, the CEP receives science knowledge from Parties or scientific organizations, such as SCAR or WMO, via Working Papers, Information Papers and Background Papers submitted to the CEP meeting. The CEP meeting reports are available on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website, along with the papers submitted to the meetings by CEP Members and Observers (see https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/DocDatabase?lang=e).

Meetings: Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

CCAMLR and its Scientific Committee (SC-CAMLR) were established in 1982 once the CAMLR Convention had entered into force. The objective of the Convention is the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, and for the purposes of the Convention the term ‘conservation’ includes rational use. The function of the Commission is to give effect to the objectives and principles set out in the Convention. To achieve this, the Scientific Committee provides the best available scientific information to the Commission, which then forms the basis for the latter to agree Conservation Measures that determine the use of marine living resources in the Antarctic.

CCAMLR membership is open to any Contracting Party engaged in research and/or harvesting activities related to the marine living resources that the Convention applies to. Acceding States are Contracting Parties that are not Members (i.e. they do not take part in research or harvesting activities), and they do not take part in decision-making. All Members of the Commission are also Members of the Scientific Committee. There are currently 27 CCAMLR Members and 10 Acceding States. Decisions of the Commission are generally taken by consensus of the CCAMLR Members.

The Commission Chair rotates alphabetically through the Parties, while the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Scientific Committee are elected from among its Members. The CCAMLR Secretariat, headed by the Executive Secretary, is located in Hobart, Australia, and supports both the Commission and the Scientific Committee. The Commission has also established two subsidiary bodies: the Standing Committee on Implementation and Compliance (SCIC) and the Standing Committee on Administration and Finance (SCAF). The Commission meets annually in Hobart, usually during October. The Scientific Committee meets immediately prior to the Commission meeting each year, and the Standing Committees meet during the Commission meeting. Working Groups of the Scientific Committee also meet at other times during the year to undertake technical and scientific work on specific topics as necessary. Observers do not attend Working Group meetings, although Working Groups can invite specific experts to participate as needed.

At meetings of CCAMLR and SC-CAMLR, Working Papers and Background Papers can be submitted. Working Papers, which contain recommendations, can only be submitted by Members. CCAMLR can also receive scientific information in the form of Background Papers submitted by invited Observers, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), SCAR, the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR; i.e. via the Southern Ocean Observing System; SOOS), ACAP and IWC.

The Scientific Committee incorporates research from the National Antarctic Programmes of CCAMLR Members when providing advice to the Commission, but it is also capable of including expert scientific opinion from outside these programmes should the need arise. Importantly, while the role of SCAR is enshrined in the Articles of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, it does not have a mandated role within the CAMLR Convention and serves as an Observer only (although the Scientific Committee can and does make specific requests of SCAR when needed). CCAMLR has also established a number of its own data collection programmes, including monitoring of fisheries, ecosystems and marine debris and providing scientific observers on fishing vessels. CCAMLR is focused on topics relating to the marine living resources under its jurisdiction, including stock or population assessments and information regarding harvesting, monitoring, conservation and management. To facilitate and organize this work, the Scientific Committee has established several Working Groups on key topics: ecosystem monitoring and management (WG-EMM), fish stock assessment (WG-FSA), statistics, assessments and modelling (WG-SAM), incidental mortality associated with fishing (WG-IMAF) and acoustics, survey and analysis methods (WG-ASAM). Reports for the Commission and its Standing Committees, the Scientific Committee and its Working Groups are all available online via the CCAMLR website (https://www.ccamlr.org/en/meetings); however, not all meeting documents are publicly available given the commercial-in-confidence nature of some of the data used.

Meetings: Meeting of Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

The Meeting of the Parties is the decision-making body of ACAP. In general, decisions of the Meeting are determined by consensus, although if consensus cannot be achieved, then they are taken by a two-thirds majority of present and voting Parties. Some decisions, as in accordance with Article VIII of the Agreement, are adopted only by consensus.

Ordinary Sessions of the Meeting of the Parties are normally held around April–May every 3 years, and Extraordinary Sessions can be requested if required. An Advisory Committee was established at the first Meeting of the Parties to provide expert advice to the Parties and Secretariat. The Advisory Committee and Working Groups often meet in the intervening years between Ordinary Sessions of the Meeting of the Parties.

ACAP generally produces information about albatrosses and petrels for external bodies, such as CCAMLR, to utilize. ACAP also funds relevant research via a small grants programme. ACAP is interested in any issues involving ACAP species globally. Current Working Groups include groups focused on seabird bycatch, population and conservation status and taxonomy. Meeting reports and documents for the Meeting of the Parties, Advisory Committee and Working Groups are available on the ACAP website (https://www.acap.aq/).

Meetings: International Whaling Commission

The IWC was established under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (Gales Reference Gales2022) and has 88 Members countries. It is a global organization and not part of the ATS, but its area of jurisdiction encompasses the Southern Ocean. The IWC first met in 1950 and is an inter-governmental organization whose purpose is the conservation of whales and the management of whaling. The IWC agreed a whaling moratorium, which came into force in 1985 (although it does allow for some whaling for scientific research purposes). In the early twentieth century, whaling decimated cetacean populations, with > 2 million individuals taken from the Southern Ocean. In 1994, the IWC designated the entire Southern Ocean as a whale sanctuary. Increasing stock numbers make whales important higher predators within the Southern Ocean ecosystem and, therefore, relevant to the work of CCAMLR. Recognizing the interests shared by CCAMLR and the IWC, each organization sends scientific observers to the other's meetings, and several joint workshops have been hosted to resolve scientific issues of joint interest. Decisions of the IWC are taken by a simple majority of its Members' voting, except that a three-quarters majority of those Members' voting is required for actions concerning the conservation and utilization of whale resources.

The full meetings of the Commission occur every 2 years. Those attending the meetings include the representatives of contracting countries to the Convention, Observers from non-Member governments, other inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The work of the Commission is divided between a number of Committees and Working Groups that operate intersessionally and report progress and make recommendations to the biennial meeting of the Commission.

Predominantly through its Scientific Committee, the Commission facilitates and coordinates extensive research on cetacean populations. The Scientific Committee comprises ~200 cetacean scientists from many countries, the majority of whom attend the Scientific Committee's annual meeting. The IWC is concerned with cetacean conservation and welfare concerns, including bycatch and entanglement, ship strikes and whale watching. The Conservation Committee works with the Scientific Committee on environmental and conservation issues, develops Conservation Management Plans and receives proposals for new whale sanctuaries. Other areas of environmental concern relevant to cetaceans include climate change, ocean noise, marine debris, chemical pollution, disease and marine renewable energy developments. The Commission makes reports and documents available on its website, including those from Commission Meetings, as well as a data portal and a historical database (https://iwc.int/documents).

Stakeholders: Parties/Members

The states that have an interest in Antarctic affairs comprise the membership of the key bodies that manage or coordinate different aspects of Antarctic governance, science and logistics. The nations that are signatories to the various instruments of the ATS are commonly referred to as ‘Parties’ or ‘Members’. Parties, in general, provide a logistical and scientific presence in Antarctica through their National Antarctic Programme. Each Party's national competent authority (usually within a government department or ministry) is responsible for ensuring that the actions of organizations (including tourism and fishing companies) and individuals falling under their jurisdiction comply with the requirements of the ATS (Joyner Reference Joyner1998). For example, Parties, through their respective competent authority, ensure that EIA requirements are undertaken and adhered to and issue permits to undertake otherwise prohibited activities within the region. Parties are also responsible for putting ATS agreements into their domestic legislation, thereby providing a legal basis upon which to put them into effect (Bastmeijer Reference Bastmeijer2003b).

Stakeholders: Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

SCAR was formed in 1958 and is an affiliated body and thematic organization of the International Science Council (ISC). SCAR's two major aims are 1) to ‘initiate, develop and coordinate high quality international scientific research in the Antarctic region (including the Southern Ocean), and on the role of the Antarctic region in the Earth system’ and 2) to ’provide objective and independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and other organisations on issues of science and conservation affecting the management of antarctica and the Southern Ocean and on the role of the Antarctic region in the Earth system’.

SCAR membership includes ISC-affiliated national scientific academies or research councils of countries that are active in Antarctic research, as well as nine relevant Unions of the ISC. There are currently 34 full and 12 associate Member countries. Members are represented at SCAR meetings by National Delegates. SCAR is governed by its constitution, the Articles of Association (https://www.scar.org/about-us/governance/). Decisions taken at biennial meetings of the Members require unanimity of participating Members. SCAR Delegates determine SCAR's priorities and directions, while the SCAR Executive Committee executes the Delegates’ decisions, supported by the SCAR Secretariat and the leaders of SCAR's subsidiary groups (see https://www.scar.org/about-us/leaders/). The SCAR Secretariat is based at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, UK.

SCAR is primarily a scientific body, with many of its scientific outputs generated by its subsidiary groups. The three permanent Science Groups, representing the physical sciences, life sciences and geosciences, and the Standing Committee on the Humanities and Social Sciences (SC-HASS) establish Expert Groups and Action Groups to address specific research topics within the discipline. Scientific Research Programmes are broad, often interdisciplinary programmes with research focused on high-priority areas or issues. Standing Committees have been formed to manage finances, data and geographical information. The Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System (SCATS) is the body tasked with developing and delivering SCAR's scientific advice to the ATCM, CEP, CCAMLR and ACAP or other policy bodies as relevant.

SCAR is interested in all Antarctic research, including the social sciences and the role of Antarctica in the Earth system. In recent years, SCAR has provided science summaries to the ATCM and/or CEP on a diverse range of topics, including the conservation status of SPS, the designation of protected areas, pollution, wildlife disturbance, non-native species, ocean acidification and climate change. SCAR has also undertaken a horizon scan to identify future priorities for Antarctic science, which included research to further recognize and mitigate human influences (Kennicutt et al. Reference Kennicutt, Chown, Cassano, Liggett, Massom and Peck2014). Reports submitted to the SCAR Delegates Meetings, including reports from the Science Groups, Scientific Research Programmes and Standing Committees, can be found on the SCAR website (https://www.scar.org/excom-meetings/).

Stakeholders: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs

COMNAP was established in 1988 and aims to ‘develop and promote best practice in managing the support of scientific research in Antarctica’. It achieves this by providing opportunities for international knowledge exchange and discussion, facilitating international partnerships and developing practices to increase the effectiveness of Antarctic activities within a sustainable framework. It also provides the ATS with advice based on the joint expertise of COMNAP Members. Members of COMNAP are the National Antarctic Programmes of Antarctic Treaty Parties. There are currently 33 COMNAP Members and five Observers (i.e. expert organizations that provide technical information or knowledge but do not participate in decision-making). Decisions at meetings are generally taken by consensus of the Members.

COMNAP is led by an Executive Committee, elected from COMNAP Members, and is supported by the COMNAP Secretariat, headed by the Executive Secretary, which is currently based in Christchurch, New Zealand. COMNAP generally meets at least once per year, with the annual general meeting hosted by a Member country. COMNAP Symposiums are held biennially, normally on the margins of the Annual General Meeting.

COMNAP is not a scientific body but supports and facilitates scientific research. COMNAP facilitates information exchange and generates information for the CEP, ATCM and National Antarctic Programmes, providing objective, practical, technical and non-political advice. This information may be on issues of interest to COMNAP or in response to requests from the ATCM. Generally, this information concerns operational information and best practice for managing scientific research support (Nuttall Reference Nuttall, Nuttall, Christensen and Siegert2018). Currently, COMNAP has Expert Groups concerned with advancing critical technologies, air operations, education outreach and training, environmental protection, human biology and medicine, marine platforms, safety and science facilitation. COMNAP workshop and symposium reports are available on its website (https://www.comnap.aq/symposiums-workshops-reports).

Stakeholders: World Meteorological Organization

The WMO was established by the ratification of the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO Convention) in 1950. It is the specialized agency of the UN for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 193 Member States and Territories. The World Meteorological Congress is the decision-making body of the WMO. The WMO Executive Council implements the decisions of the Congress, while six Regional Associations are responsible for the coordination of activities within their respective Regions. In general, decisions of the Congress and Executive Council are made by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. The Secretariat has its headquarters in Geneva. The Congress meets every 4 years to review and give policy guidance to WMO Programmes. The Executive Council meets annually and monitors the implementation of decisions taken by Congress. Regional Associations meet biennially to define regional priorities and activities.

The WMO is a leading research body with very broad research interests, including natural hazard and disaster reduction, the environment (including ozone, greenhouse gases, aerosols and atmospheric composition and deposition), the cryosphere (including its Panel on Polar and High Mountain Observations, Research and Services and the Global Cryosphere Watch), oceans (including as a driver of the world's weather, climate and climate change), energy and urban issues. A wide range of documents are available from the WMO resources library (https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/library). WMO is an Invited Expert to the ATCM and CEP.

Stakeholders: Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) was founded in 1978 in response to the growing interest in mineral and gas prospecting in Antarctica. ASOC is an NGO that works to protect the Antarctic for all of humanity through advocacy and campaigning. ASOC is the only NGO dedicated wholly to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. ASOC advocates for science-based policymaking and responsibly managing human activities. The ASOC Coalition consists of over 15 conservation organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conservation International, Greenpeace and the Pew Charitable Trusts. ASOC also works with two partner organizations: the IUCN and Blue Nature Alliance. ASOC is governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected from the Coalition Members. The ASOC secretariat is led by an Executive Director and supported by a number of international campaigners whose expertise helps to inform ASOC recommendations to Antarctic Treaty Parties.

ASOC supports science-based policies in Antarctic Treaty decision-making. ASOC collaborates with science and industry, which provide a direct source of relevant information to ASOC. Many of ASOC's international campaigners and Members are also experts in various aspects of Antarctic research, and this expertise also feeds into ASOC's science-based policy proposals that they present at ATCM and CCAMLR meetings. ASOC is interested in all issues related to protecting and conserving Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments and species into the future. Current campaigns revolve around climate change, protecting Antarctica and responsible tourism and fisheries management. ASOC submissions to the ATCM can be found in the meeting archives on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website (https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/DocDatabase?lang=e), and ASOC media releases are available on the ASOC website (https://www.asoc.org/news/).

Stakeholders: International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) was founded in 1991 by seven tour operators who were already operating in the Antarctic (Palmowski Reference Pannatier2020). IAATO's primary aim is to advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic. IAATO operates within the parameters of the ATS, including that tourism should have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment, as well as fostering cooperation between their Members. IAATO is an Invited Expert to the ATCM and CEP and an Observer to CCAMLR.

IAATO is a membership organization composed of Operators and Provisional Operators, as well as of Associate Members who do not operate directly in the Antarctic but are often tour operators or agents who book their clientele into Operator Member programmes. There are currently more than 50 Operators and Provisional Operators and just over 50 Associate Members. Operators in ‘good standing’ are eligible to vote, and decisions taken by vote require a two-thirds majority of the votes to pass. IAATO is led by the Executive Committee and Secretariat. The Executive Committee consists of Operator Members and acts on behalf of the Membership, including decision-making on behalf of the Membership when appropriate. The Executive Director runs the organization with support from other members of the Secretariat. Standing Committees and Working Groups are also established by the membership to address ongoing or specific issues. IAATO holds an Annual Meeting, and Extraordinary Meetings may be scheduled by Members as required.

IAATO is not a scientific body but supports science and has collaborated with and occasionally funded scientists to generate information useful to decision-makers and IAATO on issues relevant to Antarctic tourism. Outputs from these collaborations may form the basis of Information Papers that IAATO submits to the ATCM. Some IAATO Operators also support citizen science projects. IAATO Annual Meeting reports are not publicly available, although they do submit a report as an Information Paper to the ATCM each year. These reports and other IAATO submitted Information Papers are available on the IAATO website (https://iaato.org/information-resources/data-statistics/iaato-atcm-information-papers/).

Stakeholders: Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies

The Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies (ARK) is the industry body for krill-harvesting companies and was founded in 2012. ARK's mission is to facilitate an industry contribution to an ecologically sustainable krill harvest. Its primary goal is to develop practices for the long-term sustainability of the krill fishery and its dependant predators (Godø & Trathan Reference Godø and Trathan2022). ARK membership comprises eight krill-fishing companies from four CCAMLR Member countries. The total fishing capacity of ARK Members represents > 90% of all krill catches within the CAMLR Convention area. In addition to the mandated reporting of catch by flag states under the Convention, ARK Members provide additional data to CCAMLR and facilitate research on krill and the krill fishery. They actively promote cooperation with the scientific community, including SCAR and SC-CAMLR. ARK reports are available from https://www.ark-krill.org/repository.

Stakeholders: Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators

The Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators (COLTO) was founded in 2003 by legal industry members to eliminate illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing for toothfish and to ensure the long-term sustainability of toothfish resources and the rich and critical biodiversity of the southern oceans (Österblom & Sumaila Reference Österblom and Sumaila2011). The missions of COLTO are 1) to promote sustainable toothfish fishing and fisheries and remain vigilant against IUU fishing, 2) to facilitate its Members working together and with others, including through the continued provision of high-quality scientific data to CCAMLR and other bodies, and 3) to provide effective representation for its Members. COLTO has 50 Members from 12 countries. The total fishing capacity of COLTO members represents 80–85% of all toothfish catches.

COLTO has a Working Group on Science Cooperation that aims to raise awareness of the existing contribution made by COLTO Members to scientific research and to identify future science projects to which COLTO could make a valuable contribution. COLTO Members’ vessels are used to collect data that contribute to scientific research programmes, including science that supports the sustainable management of toothfish fisheries and the collection of oceanographic data. COLTO is interested in practical methods to reduce incidental mortality of seabirds and in methods to educate consumers about sustainable toothfish fishing. It also investigates depredation (removal of fish caught on fishing lines) by toothed whales, which can lead to economic losses for its Members, increased pressure on toothfish stocks and injury or mortality to whales (Tixier et al. Reference Tixier, Burch, Massiot-Granier, Ziegler, Welsford and Lea2020). COLTO has hosted industry-science workshops to progress some of these issues.

Stakeholders: other bodies providing expert advice to one or more meetings of the Antarctic Treaty System

Other bodies with relevant environmental, scientific or technical expertise may be invited to contribute as experts to the ATCM and CEP, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (IGP&I Clubs; who provide liability cover for ocean-going shipping), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the IMO, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC Fund), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the IUCN, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Supporting national priorities and interests (science diplomacy)

Scientific research activity within Antarctica is important for Parties to the Antarctic Treaty to demonstrate their scientific credentials, as a prerequisite for full participation in the governance arrangements for Antarctica (Pannatier Reference Pannatier1994, Elzinga Reference Elzinga, Berkman, Lang, Walton and Young2011). Specifically, to acquire consultative status, an interested Party must demonstrate ‘substantial scientific research activity’ within the Treaty area, although no agreed mechanism exists to precisely determine whether a Party has fulfilled this criterion (although see Gray & Hughes Reference Gray and Hughes2016, ATS 2017). Therefore, the work of a Party's Antarctic research community is central to supporting their nation's existing or potential future entitlement to participate in the governance of the region as a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty.

Delivery of fundamental research of global relevance

Each year, nations active in Antarctica invest many hundreds of millions of dollars to support research, and several thousand researchers and support personnel travel to the Antarctic to undertake this work (Chown Reference Chown2018, Nuttall Reference Nuttall, Nuttall, Christensen and Siegert2018). Antarctic research has been fundamental to advancing our knowledge across many academic disciplines ranging from astronomy to zoology (Fu & Ho Reference Fu and Ho2016). In recent years, research effort has focused on climate change impacts on southern polar systems and the potential implications of these changes for the rest of the globe, including impacts upon ocean circulation, weather patterns and sea level (Siegert et al. Reference Siegert, Atkinson, Banwell, Brandon, Convey and Davies2019, Chown et al. Reference Chown, Leihy, Naish, Brooks, Convey and Henley2022).

Informing Antarctic decision-making

Decision-makers within the ATS frequently employ the term ‘best available science’ to qualify the scientific basis for making policy decisions (Goldsworthy Reference Goldsworthy2022a). The growing quantity and distribution of human activities and the spatially heterogeneous impacts of climate change across the region (Tin et al. Reference Tin, Fleming, Hughes, Ainley, Convey and Moreno2009, Chown & Brooks Reference Chown and Brooks2019) mean that decision-makers increasingly rely upon applied research (i.e. research that seeks to address practical problems). It is thus unsurprising that decision-makers are taking steps to communicate their science needs to researchers, including for the protection of the Antarctic environment (McIvor Reference McIvor2020). Furthermore, the Protocol acknowledges the important role played by the scientific community, and SCAR in particular, in contributing to further shaping Antarctic environmental policies (see Article 12(2): ‘In carrying out its functions, the Committee shall, as appropriate, consult with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and other relevant scientific, environmental and technical organizations’). Engagement by researchers in communication at the science-policy interface is therefore essential (Gilbert & Njåstad Reference Gilbert and Njåstad2015). Through wise and effective management of Antarctica, the research values of the region will be preserved, which will allow the continued conduct of globally relevant research. Indeed, protection of the value of Antarctica as an area for the conduct of scientific research is a core principle of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

Provision of science to support commercial interests

Scientific activities within the Antarctic Treaty and CAMLR Convention areas may include research to support potential commercial interests. For example, research may inform fish stock assessments that contribute to the establishment of catch limits for areas within the Southern Ocean. Whilst Article 7 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty states that ‘[a]ny activity relating to mineral resources, other than scientific research, shall be prohibited’, it appears that some Parties have apparently undertaken mineral prospecting. For example, in 2011, the Russian Federation declared to the ATCM its intention to ‘strengthen the economic capacity of Russia through the … complex investigations of the Antarctic mineral, hydrocarbon and other natural resources’, and this was put into apparent action through marine seismic surveys for hydrocarbons, reported in 2020 and 2023 (Russian Federation 2011, Watkins Reference Watkins2020, Afanasiev & Esau Reference Afanasiev and Esau2023). A number of National Antarctic Programmes also support research examining the commercial application of Antarctic biological material (biological prospecting), and SCAR has surveyed its Member countries to assess the extent to which bioprospecting has been undertaken through National Antarctic Programmes (SCAR 2021a, Silva et al. Reference Silva, Feitosa, Lima, Bispo, Santos and Moreira2022).

Communication at the science-policy interface: benefits to researchers

Engaging with decision-makers has benefits for Antarctic researchers, as in other disciplines (Evans & Cvitanovic Reference Evans and Cvitanovic2018, Sokolovska Reference Sokolovska, Fecher and Wagner2019). At the most basic level this represents an improved understanding of how a researcher's work fits into the broader policy and political context. For those undertaking applied research, it provides a mechanism by which the value of that work may be understood and potentially lead to identifiable changes in policy and/or management practices. It could be considered that undertaking applied research without an identified route map for policy impact is a wasted opportunity (Dilling & Lemos Reference Dilling and Lemos2011). Co-production of policy outputs (i.e. the generation of outputs that involve all stakeholders at each stage of the knowledge-acquisition and decision-making process) provides evidence of the policy relevance and impacts of research, which may subsequently act to raise the profile of research institutes and help to secure future research funding (Wyborn et al. Reference Wyborn, Datta, Montana, Ryan, Leith and Chaffin2019). Having a broader understanding of the policy context of an individual's research can also enhance personal development and provide opportunities to build communication skills at the science-policy interface, as well as a broader profile. In turn, this knowledge may prepare individuals to be suitable for a wider range of roles, and it could provide a strategic advantage when applying for a new position or promotion.

ATCM

SCAR plays a key role in the provision of science syntheses to Antarctic decision-makers concerning climate change (including information of relevance to the IPCC or the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)). A recent example of this is the SCAR report ‘Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment: A Decadal Synopsis and Recommendations for Action’, which synthesised research on the trajectory and impacts of climate change in Antarctica based on knowledge provided by researchers and previous IPCC syntheses (Chown et al. Reference Chown, Leihy, Naish, Brooks, Convey and Henley2022). SCAR papers to the ATCM and CEP provided a summary of the key findings from the report and a series of policy recommendations derived from these findings, including that countries meet or exceed the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of the Paris Climate Agreement in order to maintain the Antarctic and Southern Ocean in a state close to that known for the past 200 years (SCAR 2022a, 2022b). In response, the ATCM agreed to hold a joint ATCM/CEP full-day session during the ATCM and CEP meetings in Helsinki, Finland (2023), to consider the implementation of the recommendations of the SCAR report. The report was also submitted for consideration at SC-CAMLR in 2022, and, alongside climate change papers submitted by several other meeting participants, this resulted in a new climate change Resolution and a workshop on climate change in 2023 (CCAMLR 2022, Hughes et al. Reference Hughes, Cavanagh and Convey2022a).

Many academic researchers study the effectiveness of Antarctic governance and the mechanisms available to deliver policy and subsequent management (e.g. Bastmeijer Reference Bastmeijer2018, Lord Reference Lord2020, Flamm Reference Flamm2022). Specific examples may include research and commentary on liability arising from environmental emergencies (e.g. Ijaiya Reference Ijaiya2017, Hemmings Reference Hemmings2018), tourism management (Kruczek et al. Reference Kruczek, Kruczek and Szromek2018, Carey Reference Carey2020, Tejedo et al. Reference Tejedo, Benayas, Cajiao, Leung, De Filippo and Liggett2022), inspections under the Antarctic Treaty (Tamm Reference Tamm2018) and biological prospecting (Heinrich Reference Heinrich2020, Haward Reference Haward2021). It may be difficult to map how this research influences Antarctic policy, particularly at a time when no new major legal instruments are being revised or developed; however, such research will be essential as existing legal agreements attempt to meet the environmental and geopolitical challenges of the twenty-first century (Liggett et al. Reference Liggett, Frame, Gilbert and Morgan2017, Ferrada Reference Ferrada2018, Roberts Reference Roberts2020, Yermakova Reference Yermakova2021).

CEP

There are many examples of academic research directly influencing the work of the CEP. Research that divided the Antarctic terrestrial environment into distinct eco-regions (termed Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions; ACBRs) was recognized by the CEP as a useful model for the identification of areas that could be designated as Antarctic Specially Protected Areas within a systematic environmental-geographical framework (Australia et al. 2012, Terauds et al. Reference Terauds, Chown, Morgan, Peat, Watts and Keys2012, Terauds & Lee Reference Terauds and Lee2016). The model was subsequently endorsed by the ATCM through Resolution 6 (2012) and Resolution 3 (2017). In another example, published work by UK and Spanish researchers formed the basis for a paper submitted to the CEP that provided a non-native species response protocol (Hughes & Pertierra Reference Hughes and Pertierra2016, United Kingdom & Spain 2017). Following further consideration and revision by CEP Members, the response protocol was agreed and added to the CEP Non-native Species Manual (CEP 2019).

In 2021, SCAR submitted two papers to the CEP that reported their review of the conservation status of the emperor penguin (SCAR 2021b, 2021c). The review concluded that the emperor penguin is increasingly vulnerable due to the loss of its fast-ice breeding habitat. The CEP proceeded to draft an Action Plan for the conservation of the emperor penguin, but designation as an Antarctic SPS has not yet been agreed. In a final example, a synthesis paper produced by Hodgson & Koh (Reference Hodgson and Koh2016) concerning best practice for minimizing drone disturbance to wildlife in biological field research was presented to CEP XX by SCAR (SCAR 2017), which subsequently contributed to the production of the ‘CEP environmental guidelines for operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Antarctica’; Resolution 4 (2018); https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/Measure/679).

SC-CAMLR

In the context of SC-CAMLR, the work of named individuals or groups of researchers is regularly submitted to meetings for consideration. CCAMLR does not always make these papers publicly available, although titles as well as summaries of the discussions of each paper presented are listed in each SC-CAMLR report (e.g. https://meetings.ccamlr.org/en/sc-camlr-41), and all submitted Working Papers can be requested through the CCAMLR Secretariat once approval from the authors has been given. Examples of research submitted to SC-CAMLR include a synthesis paper by Teschke et al. (Reference Teschke, Pehlke, Siegel, Bornemann, Knust and Brey2020) that provided a systematic overview of all data sources collected in the context of the Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning process (included abiotic data, such as bathymetry and sea ice, and ecological data from zooplankton, zoobenthos, fish, birds and marine mammals). Discussions on the development of the new CCAMLR krill fishery management strategy were informed by the production of many academic papers that have subsequently supported numerous papers to CCAMLR (often co-authored by several Parties and/or Observers and Experts), addressing spatial subdivision of krill catch, predator distribution and predator consumption.

Mentors

As a general point, researchers wishing to engage in science-policy communication may benefit from identifying and working with existing researchers who already work across the science-policy interface. Such individuals may already have 1) developed deep knowledge, 2) built extensive networks and 3) participated in the ATS for extended periods of time, making them well placed to help others deliver policy impacts from their research (Weible et al. Reference Weible, Heikkila, DeLeon and Sabatier2012). Researchers may like to consider whether there is anyone within their own organization or institute or within their network of collaborators who might be able to help. Help may be available outside a researcher's organization, such as within the relevant national Antarctic research committee, which is the body that represents national interests to SCAR (see https://www.scar.org/about-us/delegates/).

Direct communication with decision-makers

The most direct method for researchers to engage in science/policy communication is often for them to liaise directly with government representatives within their National Delegations to ATS meetings. The small size of the Antarctic community means that there may be significant opportunities to build relationships with relevant decision-makers, and the importance of building these relationships should not be underestimated (Brisbois et al. Reference Brisbois, Girling and Findlay2018). They provide opportunities to understand national priorities concerning Antarctica, to provide expertise and present relevant new research to decision-makers, to co-produce papers for submission to meetings and, potentially, to become part of the National Delegation and attend the meeting as an expert advisor. In this context, a researcher who is seeking to conduct applied research is likely to be best served by understanding what decision-makers are asking for and engaging iteratively with them to ensure that their scientific research delivers what is actually needed, not what is presumed.

Often, government representatives at ATS meetings will not have detailed scientific expertise in specific topics. Neither might they have sufficient time to keep up to date with research developments or to know which researchers might be able to provide informed advice. Consequently, they may appreciate proactive efforts by researchers to provide policy-relevant scientific information. A respectful, preferably in-person encounter with a clear message is one of the best ways to build meaningful relationships and to be heard. Once relationships are established, the provision of occasional brief notes (i.e. of one page or less) can also be useful. It should be noted that simply providing information (even briefly; e.g. as a paper abstract) is often not sufficient to communicate the necessary information effectively. The onus is generally on the researcher to provide plain-language, accessible summaries and to communicate the key points of available research effectively (i.e. ‘why is the issue important?’, ‘what is new?’, ‘why now?’, ‘what does it mean in practical terms?’, ’what is the broader context?’ and ’what are the implications of policy response options?’). Careful consideration should also be given to the effective communication of the level of uncertainty inherent in the scientific data.

Contributing to the development of SCAR inputs to the Antarctic Treaty System

Another route to engage with ATS policy bodies is via SCAR. SCATS (https://www.scar.org/policy/scats/) is the body tasked with coordinating SCAR's scientific advice to the ATS (Hughes et al. Reference Hughes, Constable, Frenot, López-Martínez, McIvor and Njåstad2018). For any given topic, SCATS will consult with relevant experts, collate the best available evidence and present it to decision-makers in a readily understood format, predominantly via Working Papers or Information Papers. SCAR also plays an important role in highlighting and advising on emerging scientific issues with potential future significance. SCATS is well placed to provide advice to researchers on the best methods by which to communicate their science to decision-makers (contact: info@scar.org).

Opportunities for engagement in science-policy communication exist through other groups within SCAR that cover a range of topics of policy relevance, including the SCAR Krill Expert Group (SKEG), Plastics in Polar Environments Action Group (Plastic-AG), Input Pathways of persistent organic pollutants to AntarCTica (ImPACT) and the Scientific Research Programme (SRP) Near-term Variability and Prediction of the Antarctic Climate System (AntClimNow). The SCAR SRP ‘Integrated Science to Inform Antarctic and Southern Ocean Conservation’ (Ant-ICON; https://www.scar.org/science/ant-icon/home/) aims to facilitate and coordinate high-quality transdisciplinary research to inform the conservation and management of Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic in the context of current and future impacts (Hughes et al. Reference Hughes, Santos, Caccavo, Chignell, Gardiner and Gilbert2022b). It was established in 2020 and may continue for up to 8 years from that date. The profile of researchers' work can be raised by Ant-ICON and relevant research synthesized and directed to SCATS for potential communication to decision-makers. Researchers of all careers stages can consider opportunities to join Ant-ICON and thereby potentially shape communication at the science-policy interface.

SCAR has also sought to enhance researchers' awareness of and engagement with developments at the science-policy interface through recent SCAR science conference sessions that have focused on policy-relevant topics. Recent examples from the SCAR Open Science Conference (2022) include sessions on: ‘Management Implications of Southern Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics and Biodiversity Thresholds’, which aimed to bring together expertise within SCAR and CCAMLR on the ecology of fish in the Southern Ocean to showcase the breadth of research being conducted that can be of mutual benefit to the two communities (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UWvVL5j4Qw); ‘Chemicals of Emerging Antarctic Concern; A Rising Tide in a Warming Climate’, which sought to bring together current research on system input of organic pollutants to Antarctica, environmental drivers of pollutant dynamics in the polar landscape and seascape, as well as biological impacts in order to support Antarctic environmental management and global chemical policy (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKXisFWozzw); and ‘How SCAR Informs and Guides Antarctic Policy and Conservation’, which explored the mechanisms through which SCAR coordinates and delivers information to the ATS (and other relevant forums) and the important role that individual scientists play in helping to generate policy impact through research (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIN9MjvOubs). An earlier example was the mini-symposium entitled ‘Linking Antarctic Science with Environmental Protection: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Madrid Protocol’, which was held on 23 August 2016 during the SCAR Open Science Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mini-symposium facilitated presentations and discussions of the role that Antarctic scientists and SCAR can play in informing policy development in support of the objectives and principles of the Protocol (Hughes et al. Reference Hughes, Liggett, Roldan, Wilmotte and Xavier2016b, Reference Hughes and Grant2018).

The Antarctic Environments Portal

The SCAR Antarctic Environments Portal (AEP; www.environments.aq) provides the scientific community with a convenient mechanism to present peer-reviewed scientific evidence for use in Antarctic policymaking (Gilbert & Njåstad Reference Gilbert and Njåstad2015). Researchers may propose or be invited by the Portal Editor to produce brief information summaries on topics of relevance to decision-makers that will inform policy development and management decisions. The Portal has been recognized by the Antarctic Treaty Parties as an important mechanism for providing high-quality, impartial and up-to-date scientific advice (see Resolution 3 (2015); https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/Measure/614).

Fellowships with a focus on science-policy communication

SCAR, alongside COMNAP, CCAMLR and IAATO, provides fellowships for early- and mid-career researchers, which may provide opportunities for science-policy communication (COMNAP et al. 2022). The awarded fellowships have covered a broad range of issues, with examples including marine spatial planning, fish stock assessment methods, climate change impacts on ecosystems, invasive species risk assessments, ice-shelf structural integrity, gender inequality in Antarctic research, the impacts of microplastics, health and safety risk management, the risk of whale ship strikes and management of Antarctic tourism (COMNAP et al. 2022). As a specific example, a SCAR fellowship that facilitated the visit of a Uruguayan researcher to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) resulted in a peer-reviewed publication concerning the management of non-native invertebrates in Antarctica, which was subsequently presented at the CEP XXIV meeting in 2022 (Remedios-De León et al. Reference Remedios-De León, Hughes, Morelli and Convey2021, United Kingdom & Uruguay 2022). It is often useful if researchers have some existing work to support their fellowship application, alongside a strong vision of next steps and how policy development might benefit.

Consensus-based decision-making

Of particular note in this regard is that most decisions taken by the ATCM or CCAMLR must achieve consensus of all Parties entitled to participate in decision-making. At the very least, this can slow down the decision-making process; witness, for example, the very lengthy negotiations within CCAMLR on the establishment of Southern Ocean MPAs, despite the availability of considerable relevant scientific research and information (Goldsworthy Reference Goldsworthy2022a, Brooks et al. Reference Brooks, Crowder, Österblom and Strong2020a). Persistence can be required, and, in some cases, it might take several meetings (with regular scientific updates) before a formal agreement can be reached. Progress can also be hindered when objections concerning the available science mask other political or ideological concerns that may need to be resolved (and are generally beyond the control of researchers) before returning to the scientific basis (see the ‘Sufficiency of scientific information’ section below).

Domestic concerns

Nuances of domestic policies can also influence how any one Party might respond to proposals in the international arena. Following SCAR's advice that Antarctic fur seals no longer merited SPS status (due to significant population growth; SCAR 2005), New Zealand withheld its consensus on de-listing the species. Albeit a different species, New Zealand fur seals are nationally protected, and there was concern over how de-listing of Antarctic fur seals might be perceived at home. It was only at the following meeting (CEP IX in 2006), and with some reluctance, that New Zealand agreed to join a consensus on de-listing fur seals (see paragraph 141 of the final report of CEP IX, available at https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/Past/60).

Time availability

Competing priorities on the full agendas of the ATCM and CCAMLR can mean a simple lack of time to address adequately the available scientific advice and information. CCAMLR has been criticized, for example, for its limited consideration in recent meetings of climate change impacts in the Southern Ocean (Goldsworthy Reference Goldsworthy2022b), although progress has been made recently, with Resolution 36/41 on climate change agreed in 2022 and a CCAMLR meeting focusing on climate change held in September 2023 (Hughes et al. Reference Hughes, Cavanagh and Convey2022a). In 2017, SCAR reported on its assessment that against internationally agreed biodiversity conservation targets Antarctica was performing no better than the rest of the world. SCAR recommended that the CEP consider the development of an integrated biodiversity strategy (SCAR et al. 2017). Despite this, the CEP concluded that much of its work was already directed to the protection and conservation of Antarctic biodiversity, with no further action being taken (see paragraphs 199–202 of the final report of CEP XX, available at https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/Past/82).

Sufficiency of scientific information

There is also the question of when sufficient scientific information is available to support management or policy decisions. Brooks et al. (Reference Brooks, Chown, Douglass, Raymond, Shaw, Sylvester and Torrens2020b) note that, in declining their support for MPA proposals, some CCAMLR Members have expressed their concern that insufficient data or information exist to support the proposals or that all available data have not been used in designing the MPAs. Recently, insufficient scientific information has been used by one Party as a reason to withhold its consensus on the proposal to designate the emperor penguin as a SPS (see paragraphs 180–184 in the final report of CEP XXIV, available at https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/Past/94). Politically, this may be seen as an easy tactic to use to prevent or delay any final decision on the issue at hand. It also raises questions around the extent to which Parties seek to take a precautionary approach to the protection of the Antarctic environment, as implied by the Protocol.

Enacting agreements into domestic legislation

Even if not explicitly stated, Parties often harbour concerns over the bureaucratic challenges of giving effect to ATCM and CCAMLR agreements within their own domestic legal systems, as this can be a lengthy and resource-intensive process. Witness, for example, the ongoing and lengthy delays in bringing into force Annex VI to the Protocol that concerns liability arising from environmental emergencies, which was agreed 18 years ago in 2005 (Hemmings Reference Hemmings2018).

Impacts upon national activities in Antarctica

Parties need to be assured that any new policy decisions can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the various treaties of the ATS, and they will also want to consider any practical implications that new rules may have for their own activities and operations in Antarctica. Any scientific advice or information that is submitted to the various bodies of the ATS will always be subject to review against the issues listed in this section (above) and potentially any other competing issues that decision-makers have to balance. Researchers seeking to engage with the policy community will need to consider these factors, each of which emphasizes the need for early dialogue with national representatives to the various bodies of the ATS.

Many of the issues listed in this section are beyond the control of researchers providing advice to decision-makers. As a result, researchers can often feel a sense of frustration at the slow pace or apparent lack of progress by decision-makers when presented with what would appear to be compelling evidence for a policy or management response. This frustration may not only be confined to those new to interactions at the science-policy interface. Nevertheless, without a major overhaul of the ATS, the largely consensus-based approach to decision-making is unlikely to change, and as a result the relative importance of many of the factors detailed in this section, compared to objective scientific information, will remain high. However, breakthroughs in policy development do occur, and sometimes unexpectedly (such as agreement of the Ross Sea MPA; Brooks et al. Reference Brooks, Bloom, Kavanagh, Nocito, Watters and Weller2021), so it is essential that researchers persist in their endeavours to provide the best available science to help guide decision-making. Table VI provides an overview of potential challenges facing researchers wishing to further engage in the Antarctic decision-making forums and corresponding considerations that might help researchers to overcome them. However, there may be some more fundamental issues relating to how some of the bodies of the ATS operate and interact that may be hindering the provision of research information to facilitate timely decision-making. For example, CCAMLR has a clear mechanism for the delivery of research knowledge relevant to its work through its Scientific Committee, which identifies, resources and manages the research needs, then communicates relevant information back to CCAMLR to assist in decision-making. The mechanisms for delivery and resourcing of research to support ATCM decision-making are less direct. The CEP can provide advice to the ATCM on environmental issues, but it is unable to undertake or resource related research, often relying upon SCAR (which largely operates through volunteers) or research contributions from Parties for relevant knowledge. Furthermore, as a non-science body, the CEP often 1) finds it difficult to identify and communicate its research or information needs, 2) does not clearly describe how it wants information presented or 3) does not have a clear view of what it intends to do with the information once received. The CEP has started to consider these issues, but further actions to improve the situation have yet to be identified and implemented (Norway & United Kingdom 2022). This is not only an issue for the CEP, with the ATCM ultimately being responsible for ensuring effective communication at the science-policy interface across both bodies.

Table VI. Potential challenges facing researchers wishing to further engage in the Antarctic decision-making forums and corresponding considerations that might help researchers overcome them.

Ant-ICON = SCAR Scientific Research Programme ‘Integrated science to inform Antarctica and Southern Ocean conservation’; ATS = Antarctic Treaty System; CCAMLR = Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources; COMNAP = Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs; IAATO = International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators; SCAR = Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research; SCATS = SCAR Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System.