An international framework for Antarctic environmental protection and management is set in place by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The Environmental Protocol designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science and calls for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and associated ecosystems. As a signatory to the Environmental Protocol New Zealand is committed to its implementation and has ratified its provisions through the Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act 1994.

Antarctica New Zealand’s role in the international environmental management and protection arena includes:

• identifying and managing acceptable human interaction with the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments, in particular in the Ross Sea region;
• international advocacy in Antarctic environmental management and protection, including for the use of pragmatic and cost effective approaches and activities;
• working with Treaty Nations to establish a practical State of the Environment Reporting system for the whole of Antarctica;
• participation in Antarctic Treaty forums including the Antarctic Environmental Officers Network (AEON), and the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP);
• support of science collaborations through environmental advice and evaluations.

Our overall environmental goal is to:

• Contribute to the conservation of the intrinsic values of Antarctica through environmental stewardship.

IUCN

Antarctica New Zealand is a member organisation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  This is a global conservation body with a unique mix of governments, government agencies and non-governmental organisations.  IUCN’s work programme is structured around six Commissions dealing with: protected areas, ecosystems, species at risk, social policy, education and communication, and environmental law. Under this structure they have a wide range of global, regional and local programmes and campaigns.