3rd Report - The UK and the Antarctic environment

Select Committee
Environmental Audit Committee HC 499 9 June 2025
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 74 items (34 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 74 of 74 classified)
Accepted 25
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 39
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 1
Government response
5th Special Report - The UK and the Antarctic environment: Government Response · published 11 Sep 2025
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Recommendations & Conclusions

25 results
2 Conclusion Accepted
FCDO developing Antarctic Strategy to enhance transparency of UK interests
Conclusion
We welcome the former Minister’s announcement that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is developing an Antarctic Strategy to define the UK’s interests and ambitions in the region. A publicly available strategy will enhance transparency of the UK’s interests in … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts this conclusion and commits to publishing an Antarctic strategy before the end of the year, taking the committee’s report and recommendations into consideration during its production.
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Ensure timely delivery of planned Antarctic Strategy, incorporating committee recommendations
Recommendation
We recommend that the current Government follow through on this commitment and ensure the strategy is delivered as planned. The Government should consider this report, including its conclusions and recommendations, as a valuable guide highlighting key areas the strategy should … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to publish an Antarctic strategy before the end of the year and to consider the Committee's report and recommendations during its production.
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12 Conclusion Accepted
Antarctica warming rapidly, necessitating coordinated action to mitigate severe climate impacts.
Conclusion
Antarctica is warming at a rate up to twice that of the global average, disrupting its ecosystems, ocean dynamics, atmospheric processes, and ice systems. Despite its crucial role in regulating Earth’s heat balance and influencing global climate, the continent remains … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts this conclusion, highlighting ongoing polar research collaborations like the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration and British Antarctic Survey's strategic science themes. These initiatives provide fundamental data and knowledge for improving sea level models and understanding climate change impacts, aiming to address the need for sustained action and observation.
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13 Recommendation Accepted
Improve international coordination and data sharing for Antarctic climate monitoring.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government work with international partners through the Antarctic Treaty System to improve coordination of long- term climate monitoring in Antarctica, ensuring that the data outputs from such monitoring is openly shared and feeds directly into global … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, agreeing on the importance of long-term monitoring and data sharing within the Antarctic Treaty System. They confirm ongoing work to develop an international framework for environmental monitoring and a planned joint workshop in May 2026.
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16 Conclusion Accepted
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C critical for preventing Antarctic ice sheet destabilisation.
Conclusion
Evidence presented during the course of this inquiry highlights the critical importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Achieving this target is essential for preventing further destabilisation of Antarctica’s ice sheets and glaciers, which are already experiencing significant changes due … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts this conclusion, affirming its full commitment to the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target and outlining ongoing efforts, including accelerating the transition to net zero through initiatives like the Global Clean Power Alliance and delivering on its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution target.
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18 Conclusion Accepted
Integrate Antarctic research and preservation into broader international climate strategies.
Conclusion
To safeguard Antarctica’s environment, it is crucial to integrate Antarctic research and preservation into broader international climate strategies. Rising sea levels, driven by climate change in Antarctica, pose an existential risk to the UK, making it imperative to act now … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts this conclusion, highlighting ongoing polar research collaborations like the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration and British Antarctic Survey's strategic science themes, which aim to understand ice loss and improve sea level models. It also mentions the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) as a means of improving understanding of climate change impacts relevant to UK coastlines.
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Strengthen domestic climate and nature policies to meet legally binding targets.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government strengthen its domestic climate and nature policies to meet its legally binding targets. Achieving these targets is crucial for making a fair and proportionate contribution to global emissions reduction efforts and for lending authority to … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, affirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement, its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework, stating it will continue to accelerate the transition to net zero and champion biodiversity efforts.
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21 Conclusion Accepted
Geoengineering proposals for polar regions are impractical, costly, and environmentally risky.
Conclusion
Geoengineering proposals which seek engineered approaches to avert or mitigate the effects of climate change in polar regions appear to us to be impractical owing to high costs, technical challenges, and environmental risks. Relying on such interventions rather than seeking … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts this conclusion, stating it is not in favour of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and has no plans to deploy it. It also highlights ongoing international work to address geoengineering research and governance challenges, including discussions at the ATCM which confirmed serious concerns and the need for a precautionary approach.
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22 Conclusion Accepted
Prioritise decarbonisation as response to Antarctic climate change and advocate rapid global emissions cuts.
Conclusion
We strongly recommend that the Government firmly prioritise decarbonisation as the most effective, affordable, and sustainable response to climate change in Antarctica. Ministers should use international fora, including the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the UNFCCC COP process, to advocate … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, agreeing that decarbonisation is fundamental and detailing British Antarctic Survey's net-zero by 2040 commitment through specific initiatives like HVO fuel, renewable energy, and AI. It also notes efforts to advocate for decarbonisation in international fora like the ATCM and UNFCCC.
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24 Conclusion Accepted
Accelerating environmental changes are severely impacting Antarctica's biodiversity, requiring urgent science-led responses.
Conclusion
The accelerating environmental changes in Antarctica, driven by climate change, sea ice loss, and increasing human activity, are having serious and compounding impacts on the continent’s biodiversity. These changes demand urgent, science led responses. (Conclusion, Paragraph 141) Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, explaining that current Antarctic research priorities and existing funding through UKRI and the National Academies, including over £900m allocated for 2025/26, are already focused on understanding biodiversity changes and other impacts of climate change.
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27 Recommendation Accepted
Ensure comprehensive biosecurity facilities and protocols across UK Antarctic operations and supply chain.
Recommendation
Biosecurity must continue to be a central pillar of UK Antarctic operations. The Government should ensure biosecurity facilities and protocols are in place across the BAS supply chain, including at key gateway ports such as Punta Arenas and the Falkland … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, agreeing that biosecurity is critical and detailing existing measures such as BAS Biosecurity Regulations, biosecurity information in UK permits, encouragement of the IMO Ballast Water Convention, and a BAS horizon scan for marine species.
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28 Recommendation Accepted
Safeguard the Blue Belt Programme's long-term future with sustained funding for science and enforcement.
Recommendation
The Government should safeguard the long-term future of the Blue Belt Programme by committing to sustained funding through the Official Development Assistance budget or alternative mechanisms. Particular focus should be given to supporting science, monitoring, and enforcement in the South … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to safeguard the long-term future of the Blue Belt Programme by providing sustained funding for marine protection and sustainable management to both ODA and non-ODA eligible territories.
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32 Conclusion Accepted
CCAMLR governance failures threaten Southern Ocean fisheries due to inadequate consensus-based decision-making.
Conclusion
The failure of negotiations at CCAMLR in 2024 exposed significant vulnerabilities in the governance of Southern Ocean fisheries. As diminishing sea ice makes Antarctica more accessible, effective regulation, particularly of krill fishing, is becoming increasingly urgent. CCAMLR’s consensus-based decision-making has … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the conclusion's findings regarding the vulnerabilities in CCAMLR governance and states it is actively advocating for Marine Protected Areas and improvements to CCAMLR's decision-making process to prevent future deadlock.
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33 Recommendation Accepted
Promote pragmatic, compromise-based approach for interim conservation measures at CCAMLR.
Recommendation
The UK should work to prevent a recurrence of this regulatory stalemate. In recognition of the challenges of achieving unanimity, the Government should promote a pragmatic, compromise-based approach that enables interim conservation measures to be adopted while longer-term agreements are … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and states it is actively working to prevent regulatory stalemate by advocating for improvements to CCAMLR's decision-making process and pragmatic, compromise-based solutions to enable conservation measures.
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35 Conclusion Accepted
Urgent establishment of Antarctic Marine Protected Areas is repeatedly blocked by key nations.
Conclusion
The need to establish new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has become increasingly urgent, as pressures from fishing, tourism, research activity, and climate change intensify. Proposals for MPAs in East Antarctica, the Weddell Sea, and the Antarctic Peninsula have repeatedly been … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and states it is making the establishment of new Marine Protected Areas a diplomatic priority, actively working with like-minded members and engaging bilaterally with China and Russia to garner support for their adoption.
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36 Recommendation Accepted
Intensify diplomatic engagement to unblock MPA proposals and strengthen coordination among CCAMLR members.
Recommendation
The Government should intensify its diplomatic engagement, using both bilateral and multilateral channels to address the concerns of China and Russia and to highlight the global and regional benefits of marine protection. It should also strengthen coordination with like-minded CCAMLR … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it is actively working with like-minded members, including through bilateral engagements, to secure support for marine protection measures and advocate for improvements to CCAMLR's decision-making process.
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38 Recommendation Accepted
Advocate procedural changes within CCAMLR to reduce single nation veto over conservation measures.
Recommendation
The Government should advocate procedural changes within CCAMLR, such as time-limited objections or consensus-building mechanisms, to reduce the ability of a single nation to exercise an indefinite veto over conservation measures. (Recommendation, Paragraph 182) Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it is actively working to increase the efficiency of CCAMLR and advocating for improvements to its decision-making process to enable conservation measures.
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41 Recommendation Accepted
Engage allies to press Russia to reaffirm mining ban and provide seismic survey data.
Recommendation
The Government should actively engage with allies during Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings to press Russia to reaffirm its commitment to the Protocol’s mining prohibition. Additionally, Russia should be encouraged to provide comprehensive data on its seismic surveys in accordance with … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation and committed to actively engage with allies to press Russia to reaffirm its commitment to the Antarctic Protocol's mining prohibition and provide comprehensive data on its seismic surveys.
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43 Conclusion Accepted
UK efforts in steering sustainable Antarctic tourism management framework are commendable and helpful.
Conclusion
The UK’s efforts in steering a framework for sustainable management of tourism in Antarctica are commendable and helpful in ensuring the long- term viability of tourism activities. (Conclusion, Paragraph 210)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the commendation, outlining its consistent advocacy for a robust regulatory framework for Antarctic tourism, including dynamic site management and visitor number limitations, and leading by example with rigorous environmental scrutiny.
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46 Conclusion Accepted
Refine UK permitting processes and support strategic framework for site capacity and visitor limits.
Conclusion
The UK should lead by example through continued refinement of its own permitting processes, ensuring thorough environmental scrutiny, transparent reporting, and dynamic site management approaches. It should also support the development of a strategic framework for assessing site capacity and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it leads by example through rigorous environmental scrutiny and transparent reporting, and consistently advocates for a robust regulatory framework for Antarctic tourism, including a strategic framework for dynamic site management and limiting visitor numbers.
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47 Conclusion 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 … Read more
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.
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49 Conclusion Accepted
Advocate for a clear, enforceable regime ensuring Antarctic visitor access supports conservation and education.
Conclusion
To protect Antarctica’s fragile ecosystems and ensure tourism supports environmental and scientific priorities, a consistent, science-led approach to managing visitor access is essential. The UK Government should advocate for a clear and enforceable regime that ensures each visit contributes meaningfully … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it consistently advocates for a robust, comprehensive, and enforceable regulatory framework for Antarctic tourism, including a strategic framework for dynamic site management and limitations on visitor numbers.
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53 Recommendation Accepted
Advocate for harmonising permitting processes among Antarctic treaty parties, preventing circumvention of national restrictions.
Recommendation
The Government should advocate for the harmonisation of permitting processes among treaty parties, preventing operators from circumventing national restrictions by seeking approval from multiple authorities would enhance regulatory coherence and close potential loopholes in environmental oversight. (Recommendation, Paragraph 227) Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to continue bringing permitting matters to the attention of Treaty Parties, sharing best practice, and raising awareness about operators seeking authorisation from multiple National Competent Authorities.
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57 Recommendation Accepted
Outline how Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Project opportunities can be maximised for climate understanding.
Recommendation
We commend Government investment in polar infrastructure, which strengthens UK research capabilities. We nevertheless note that the capital expenditure has yet to translate into measurable scientific outcomes. Given the unparalleled logistical gateway and facilities provided by the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, confirming that the forthcoming Antarctic strategy will outline how the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Project's opportunities will be maximised to advance vital climate change research.
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68 Recommendation Accepted
Strengthen NERC's support for multilateral research by coordinating international funding more effectively.
Recommendation
We further recommend that the Natural Environment Research Council strengthen its successful support for multilateral research initiatives by developing mechanisms to coordinate international funding more effectively. This includes reducing the burden of “double jeopardy” where researchers must apply for and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating that NERC already supports multilateral research initiatives and reduces 'double jeopardy' through existing mechanisms like the Belmont Forum and Horizon Europe, which employ harmonised processes including shared peer review and grant rounds.
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