Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 47
47
Accepted
Antarctic tourism's positive outcomes depend on effective governance and careful visitor regulation.
Conclusion
Tourism in Antarctica can have positive outcomes, including enhancing public understanding of environmental and scientific issues and fostering a community of informed ambassadors for polar conservation. However, these benefits depend on effective governance. To minimise environmental risks and support small-scale scientific operations, visitor numbers and activities must be carefully regulated. (Conclusion, Paragraph 221)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, detailing its consistent advocacy for a robust, comprehensive, and enforceable regulatory framework for Antarctic tourism, including strategic frameworks for dynamic site management and limiting visitor numbers based on scientific evidence.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government accepts these recommendations. 58. The UK has consistently advocated for a robust, comprehensive, and enforceable regulatory framework for Antarctic tourism. A key element of this is the development of a strategic framework for managing tourism, including through dynamic site management and limitations of visitor numbers at sensitive landing sites, based on scientific evidence. 59. The UK also leads by example, through the rigorous application of environmental scrutiny and transparent reporting, to ensure that UK operators adhere to the highest standards. The UK has consistently advocated, and will continue to advocate, for this approach to be adopted by all Treaty Parties.