“Environmental Law-Antarctica”

This chapter examines the unique environmental law governing Antarctica, shaped by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) and a mix of state laws, international treaties, and political norms. It discusses the region’s exceptional status, with issues like sealing, fishing, and mining addressed through separate instruments. While the ATS has achieved significant environmental and peace-related successes, the chapter highlights ongoing challenges in applying global environmental rules and the potential risks of undermining Antarctica’s interests without its collective governance system.