Global IssuesAntarcticaNew Zealand Relationship with AntarcticaEnvironmental Protection in AntarcticaAntarctic Marine Living Resources and the Ross SeaVisiting Antarctica (Science and Tourism)Ross Sea StrategyDisarmamentEnvironmentHuman RightsSecurityInternational OrganisationsAfricaAsia NorthAsia South and SoutheastAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
Start writing the country or territory name in the box. Typing more letters narrows the search. Click "go" or hit "Enter" to go to the information paper on the country or territory.
(We don't have information papers on all countries and territories.)
Although we have tried to use plain English content on the site, you may come across specialist terms and acronyms. Find out what they mean in our glossary of terms.
If you come across a term that isn't included in the Glossary please send us an email.
In 1989 the Consultative Parties agreed to review the wide range of existing environmental protection measures available and to elaborate a comprehensive system for the protection of the Antarctic environment.
The outcome of that review was the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which has six Annexes:
The Protocol and its first five Annexes were adopted in October 1991. The Protocol and the first four Annexes entered into force in 1998. The fifth Annex entered into force in May 2002. The sixth Annex was adopted in June 2005 and will enter into force once it has been ratified by all the Parties to the Protocol.
The Protocol designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science” and prohibits mining for at least fifty years. The Protocol sets forth basic principles and detailed, mandatory rules applicable to human activities in Antarctica, including obligations to accord priority to scientific research. It further provides for the comprehensive protection of the environment through a system of environmental evaluation of all activities proposed in the Antarctic Treaty Area. The Protocol is implemented in New Zealand through the Antarctica Environmental Protection Act 1994. The Act can be viewed by using the ‘search’ section on the left of the page.
The Protocol also established the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), which advises the ATCM on the implementation of the Protocol and on other environmental matters.
New Zealand reports annually to the CEP on its implementation of the Protocol.
The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) is the expert advisory body to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). The CEP provides advice and formulates recommendations on the implementation of the Protocol. The CEP was established in 1998 with the entry into force of the Protocol on Environmental Protection, and it meets annually during the first week of the ATCM.
CEP XIX will be held from 12-16 June 2006 in Edinburgh, UK.
The Committee provides advice on:
The CEP is composed of representatives of States that are parties to the Protocol, who may be accompanied by experts and advisors. The CEP also includes observers from;
The New Zealand delegation to the CEP includes scientific and environmental management expertise as well as input from the Antarctic Policy Unit. The CEP provides advice to Treaty Parties on issues such as area protection and management; conservation of fauna and flora; waste disposal and management; and prevention of marine pollution.
