Implementing the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty: Future applications of geographic information systems within the Committee for Environmental Protection

With the entry into force of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Protocol) in January 1998, key operational aspects of the newly established Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), such as its advisory capacity to Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) need to be urgently addressed. This paper advocates the use of a geographic information system (GIS) environmental database to reinforce the advisory capacity of the CEP. The demonstrated links between the provisions of the Protocol and GIS capabilities illustrate the potential this has to assist the CEP in delivering informed advice to ATCMs. The range of GIS applications that could be utilized by the CEP in fulfilling its functions are examined by reference to precedents in Europe (CORINE) and Australia (ARIS).