Climate Crisis in Antarctica

Marine Protected Areas

ASOC strongly supports the establishment of a representative network of marine protected areas across the Southern Ocean. 

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean where some activities, such as fishing or shipping, are restricted or prevented to support healthy ecosystem function. 

MPAs are particularly important in regions affected by climate change. Reducing the pressures of human activities can allow ecosystems a bit more space to adapt and adjust to changing conditions. 

MPAs are important for humans as well. Natural cycles that take place on a huge scale in the Southern Ocean, for example the birth and death of krill and whales, have a measurable effect on the global climate. 

These are just a few of the reasons that MPAs are such a vital step towards building a climate-resilient future.

Find out more about our Marine Protected Area campaigns.

Read further: 

Antarctic krill,  biogeochemical cycles, and climate.

The importance of Southern Ocean ecosystem services.

The ‘whale pump’: an important ecosystem service. 

Within the Antarctic Treaty System

ASOC submits information papers about climate change at intergovernmental meetings, keeping the pressure on Parties to acknowledge the seriousness of climate change in Antarctica, and to take urgent action. 

ASOC encourages Antarctic Treaty Parties to lead the global decarbonization movement, reduce carbon emissions, and to share their knowledge about the global importance of the Antarctic – both as a climate regulator and potential source of catastrophic sea level rise – at global meetings about climate change. 

ASOC also promotes the implementation of specific climate adaptation strategies, including:

• Biosecurity measures to prevent competition from invasive species.
• Establishing a representative network of Marine Protected Areas.
• Monitoring and reducing carbon emissions released by human activity in Antarctica including science, tourism and fisheries.
• The implementation of adaptive management systems which incorporate uncertainty and respond to new information.

Read our information papers:

2025 – Critical climate thresholds for the Antarctic Ice Sheet

2023 – Decarbonizing Antarctic Operations: Best Practice for Renewable Energy Deployment at Antarctic Research Stations

2023 – Increasing evidence of critical sea level rise with emissions above 1.5°C Paris Agreement limit

Learn about the Antarctic Treaty.

The Polar Code

The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters aims to avoid environmental damage in the remote and sensitive polar regions.

The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) was adopted by members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and entered into force in 2017. 

It builds on existing IMO instruments, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), introducing geographically-specific regulations that take into account the unique characteristics and sensitivities of the polar regions.

While the Polar Code is definitely a positive step for protection of polar waters, as well as the humans who live and work there, it contains gaps that need to be addressed, including regulations on gray water disposal, global carbon emissions and black carbon pollution. 

ASOC participates in international meetings where the Polar Code is on the agenda, calling for reductions in black carbon emissions through the use of technology such as particulate filters, which could virtually eliminate further damage from black carbon.

Download black carbon infographic.

Read about our campaign to strengthen the Polar Code. 

Learn more about the Polar Code. 

Visit the IMO SOLAS web page.

Visit the IMO MARPOL web page.