Antarctica in International Law

Ben Saul, Tim Stephens, Ben Saul, Tim Stephens

• Publisher: Hart Publishing
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9781849467315
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781782258858
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: International Law
• Index: Law

Antarctica, one of the world's last great wildernesses, presents special challenges for international law. Fears that Antarctica would become a front in the Cold War catalysed agreement on the 1959 Antarctic Treaty which neither legitimised nor challenged the existing sovereign claims to the continent. The unique Antarctic Treaty System has provided the foundation for peaceful, harmonious and effective governance. There are, however, new anxieties about the frozen continent and the Southern Ocean. Antarctica already feels the effects of climate change and ocean acidification. Claimant states assert rights to the Antarctic continental shelf and interest in Antarctic resources grows. Tourism brings new environmental and safety risks. China and other powers are increasing their activities, with some questioning the consensus of the 'Antarctic club'. Security concerns are increasingly discussed, despite Antarctica's dedication to peaceful purposes. This book brings together the main primary international materials concerning the regulation and governance of Antarctica, including multilateral and bilateral treaties, United Nations materials, 'soft laws' and judicial decisions. It covers the spectrum of Antarctic issues from environmental protection to scientific cooperation to tourism. As it shows, Antarctic law has constantly adapted to meet new challenges and is a sophisticated, inclusive, dynamic and responsive regime.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Abbreviations
• Acknowledgements
• Chronology of Legally Significant Events
• Introduction
• PART 1: International Instruments of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)
• PART 2: Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty
• PART 3: Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) (1963–2013)
• PART 4: Committee for Environmental Protection under the 1991 Protocol (CEP)
• PART 5: Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources under the 1980 Convention (CCAMLR)
• PART 6: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
• PART 7: Other International Instruments Relevant to Antarctica
• PART 8: United Nations General Assembly Resolutions
• PART 9: Other United Nations Documents
• PART 10: Judicial Proceedings
• Part 11: National Submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLSC) concerning Antarctic Territorial Claims
• Part 12: Bilateral Agreements
• Index