Synopsis: |
The Antarctic Treaty, agreed in 1959, designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in 1998, establishes a framework for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment. The Protocol is implemented into UK law by the Antarctic Act 1994, by which British activities in Antarctica are regulated. The UK maintains historic, strategic, scientific and environmental interests in Antarctica and administers the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) as a UK Overseas Territory. The BAT includes the Antarctic Peninsula, which is the most heavily visited region of Antarctica. Around half of all the permanent year-round research stations are within the BAT and 95 per cent of all tourists to the continent visit this part of Antarctica. Consequently the UK has considerable interest in ensuring that those who visit Antarctica do so in a safe and environmentally responsible way. The UK is keen to ensure that the regulation of British activities in Antarctica is comprehensive and effective, such that it can be used as a model to encourage other countries to do likewise.The draft Antarctic Bill implements a new Annex to the Environmental Protocol on Liability Arising from Environmental Emergencies (Liability Annex), and enhances the provisions of the 1994 Act to provide additional protection to the Antarctic environment and those travelling to the continent. It contains: executive summary and consultation process; consultation document; draft Bill and explanatory notes; impact assessment; list of organisations sent consultation package. |