A resolution from WILD Foundation’s 12th World Wilderness Congress (August 29–30, 2024), urging global recognition of Antarctica as an autonomous entity with inherent rights. It highlights urgent threats (record ice melt, rising temperatures, industrial pressures) and calls for a global alliance and legal reforms so decisions affecting Antarctica prioritize its own ecological needs. The resolution builds on past WILD congress initiatives and is backed by a diverse group of Indigenous leaders, environmental scientists, and legal experts

The Environmental Protection Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1991 and entered into force in 1998, sets out strong rules to safeguard Antarctica’s fragile environment. It requires countries to assess the impact of any planned activity, protect native plants and animals, manage waste responsibly, and prevent ocean pollution. It also creates special protected areas and holds polluters accountable for any environmental harm. These measures help ensure Antarctica remains clean, wild, and peaceful for future generations.