From rising sea levels as a result of ice caps melting, to
species such as Emperor penguins risking extinction, MPs today
launch a new inquiry seeking to explore further the environmental
impacts of climate change in Antarctica.
Antarctica is experiencing climate change in ways which are not
well understood but which may have huge consequences for the rest
of the world. The UK has a continued presence in Antarctica, such
as through the British Antarctic Survey, and is well placed to
collaborate with international scientists to better understand
the impacts of climate change in Antarctica, and what this means
for the wider world.
During this inquiry, the Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on
Polar Research will consider issues such as the effect of
microplastic pollution and tourism on the Antarctic environment.
It will also seek to understand the impact that geopolitical
tensions have on scientific collaboration and whether existing
environmental protections are sufficient.
The UK Government invests significantly in Antarctic science, and
has recently invested almost £900 million in programmes to
upgrade and expand the Rothera research station and to build the
RRS Sir David Attenborough. Collectively, these projects have
been described as “the largest Government investment in polar
science infrastructure since the 1980s”. As a result of the vast
sums involved, the Sub-Committee would like to explore whether a
further policy strategy is needed, updated from its 2014
‘UK science in
Antarctica’ paper.
Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research Chair, , said:
“Antarctica has 90% of the world’s ice, and therefore the effects
of a warming climate could be catastrophic for countries around
the world. Yet, the true environmental and climate impact of
climate change on Antarctica is not well known, and that is
exactly what our Committee hopes to better understand.
“UK science in Antarctica attracts significant UK Government
investment. We will explore the UK’s position in delivering
priorities for national and international research communities,
and whether they have sufficient resources to be at the forefront
of Antarctic science for decades to come.”
Terms of reference
The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all
of the issues raised in the following terms of
reference, by 17:00 on Friday
15th September 2023.
The Antarctic Environment
- What are the most significant climate and environmental
changes taking place in the Antarctic? What might they mean for
the UK, for example in terms of sea level rise and our weather?
How well prepared is the UK Government for these impacts?
- What is the extent of plastic and microplastic pollution in
the Antarctic? What could the UK Government do to reduce it?
- What effect is climate change having on biodiversity in
Antarctica? To what extent does the UK’s Blue Belt Programme
address the protection of biodiversity in the Antarctic and the
Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic?
- What impact is tourism having on the Antarctic? How can the
UK Government promote good business standards and best practice
to reduce the environmental impact of commercial activities?
UK Science in Antarctica
- How well placed is the UK to deliver the scientific
priorities identified by national and international research
communities?
- How well does the UK support research in and about the
Antarctic, and what can the UK do to position itself at the
forefront of Antarctic science? What role does international
collaboration play in understanding the global implications of
climate change in Antarctica? How can the UK ensure that
opportunities for international collaboration are maximised, and
are there key partners with whom the UK should seek to work?
- What impact has the UK’s investment in science
infrastructure, through the RRS Sir David Attenborough and
modernised station facilities, had on UK science in the
Antarctic? How can the UK ensure that use of the UK’s
infrastructure in the Antarctic is maximised, while minimising
the environmental impacts of research activities?
- How does HMS Protector benefit UK Antarctic science and how
can her contribution be maximised?
- What impact did the UK’s science Strategy UK science
in Antarctica: 2014-2020 have and is a further strategy
needed, especially in light of the UK’s recent capital
expenditure on science infrastructure in Antarctica?
Antarctic Governance
- What further action is needed through the Antarctic Treaty
System to protect the Antarctic? What can the UK Government do to
drive international action on environmental management alongside
competing demands for the use of Antarctic resources?
- What impact do current geopolitical tensions have on
Antarctica, and the Antarctic Treaty System? What issues are
affecting the treaty system and how can the UK use its influence
to ensure that the continent remains a place of peace and
cooperation?
- How effective are the Protocol on Environmental Protection
and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources at managing Antarctica’s environment? What could
the UK Government do to advocate for further environmental
protections through the Antarctic Treaty System?
