Grønlandsudvalget 2019-20
GRU Alm.del Bilag 23
Offentligt
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For immediate release
International parliamentarians warn of potentially catastrophic
effects of climate change on Antarctica at inaugural meeting in
London
Parliamentarians from 13 countries
–
including Brazil, China, Turkey and the
United Kingdom - gathered in London this week to discuss how parliaments can
help protect Antarctica from climate change.
A consensus statement signed by all 19 parliamentary delegates at the Antarctic
Parliamentarians Assembly declared that, as a
group of parliamentarians from
Antarctic Treaty Parties, they:
Note with concern
the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
s
Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, which
highlights the profound effects of climate change on Antarctica’s ecosystems
and the potentially catastrophic effects of Antarctic ice loss on global sea
level;
With the Antarctic Treaty System under increasing pressure to address new
challenges, the inaugural Assembly provided an opportunity for parliamentarians,
rather than governments, to learn more about Antarctica and press their
legislatures to support and prioritise the work of the Treaty.
Although not all parties to the Treaty were able to send parliamentary delegates
to London, the new Russian Ambassador, His Excellency Andrei Kelin, contributed
to the conference statement, along with representatives from several other
Embassies.
Both the statement and conference sessions shone a spotlight on the impact of
climate change on biodiversity in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. A
presentation by Professor Steven Chown from Monash University in Australia,
 GRU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 23: Conference statement from The inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in London 2-3 December 2019
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showed how global warming is allowing invasive species to thrive in Antarctica,
South Georgia, and the sub-Antarctic islands. He explained that ordinary house
mice can be found eating albatross chicks alive in their nests on some islands.
Plastics, fisheries and tourism were other themes of the conference, with the
parliamentarians reinforcing
international cooperation on pollution issues,
including plastics, that affect the Antarctic environment
.
They also noted
the anticipated continued growth in tourism (seaborne tourism is
expected to increase by 40% in the 2019-20 season) and its potential impact on
the Antarctic ecosystem, committing to
ensuring that tourism is conducted
strictly in a safe, environmentally responsible manner
in accordance with the
Antarctic Treaty.
Sir David Attenborough sent his apologies for not being able to attend the
APA due to filming commitments, and commented:
It is a very worthwhile initiative and I hope that your deliberations will produce
results which will help preserve and enhance the great White Continent. The
challenges we face in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are both alarming and
urgent, and I call on your parliaments and governments to work together to act
decisively and collectively for the preservation of the
continent.
James Gray, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar
Regions commented:
I
am delighted with the success of the inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians
Assembly and the really extensive statement that we have produced. Such a
diverse group of nations - including Russia and China - and such a large group
of parliamentarians coming together to address climate change in the Antarctic,
sends an important message to governments around the world.
 GRU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 23: Conference statement from The inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in London 2-3 December 2019
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I hope that this is the first of many Antarctic Parliamentarians Assemblies that will
be held in the future, and the next one is already scheduled for 2021 in the
Southern Hemisphere.
First Deputy Speaker
Åsa
Lindestam from the Swedish delegation said:
It is a great achievement that we
managed to agree on this important issue.
Now our task is to step up the work on climate change in our parliaments. It is
so
important to continue the dialogue between parliamentarians and scientists.
Eirik Sivertsen MP, Norway, commented:
"The melting Antarctic will have dramatic consequences for the world, especially
through sea level rise. The science is clear and we need to act now to mitigate
the most dramatic consequences.
With
so
many changes happening so fast, I´m very happy that we
have called for
a fifth International Polar Year. It would facilitate a large scientific programme
and an international joint effort, focussing on both the Antarctic and the Arctic.
Andrew Bayly MP, New Zealand, said:
We all came together to celebrate the signing of
the inspired Antarctic Treaty; a
living document that was written simply, but has proved to be flexible and stood
the test of time. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural event and to know
that, in our own small way, we have recognised a milestone
in Antarctica s history
and have the opportunity to be part of its future.
Contact
For press enquiries, please contact the Director of the All-Party Parliamentary
Group for the Polar Regions Secretariat:
Sophie Montagne, 07779 724488
 GRU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 23: Conference statement from The inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in London 2-3 December 2019
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[email protected]
www.antarcticparliamentarians.com
About the Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly
The very first Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly took place on 2
–
3 December
at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on Whitehall, London.
The Assembly was timed to coincide with Antarctica Day and the 60
th
Anniversary
of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, on 1
st
December 2019.
Parliamentary delegations were invited from the 54 signatory countries of the
Antarctic Treaty to take part in discussions and debates about subjects ranging
from climate change and the melting Antarctic ice sheets, to the increase in polar
tourism and protecting Antarctic biodiversity.
Participating countries include:
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Ecuador
France
Italy
New Zealand
Norway
Russian Federation
Sweden
Turkey
 GRU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 23: Conference statement from The inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in London 2-3 December 2019
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Ukraine
United Kingdom
There were 19 parliamentary delegates, representing 13 countries. See full list on
conference statement.
The UK delegation was formed of The Rt Hon Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones
from the House of Lords, and James Gray (Conservative MP for North Wiltshire,
currently standing for re-election in the same constituency in 2019).
The first day featured presentations from scientists and experts from countries as
diverse as Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Brazil, as well as Lord Ahmad, UK
Minister for the Polar Regions and Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic
Survey. For the full programme, speaker abstracts and biographies, visit
https://www.antarcticparliamentarians.com/
The Assembly was established by James Gray, Chairman of the APPG Polar
Regions, and was inspired by the
Conference of Arctic Parliamentarians.
Mr Gray
believed that a similar forum was needed to raise
parliamentarians
awareness of
issues affecting Antarctica.
The Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly was organised and hosted by the All-
Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar Regions, with funding from the Mamont
Foundation and in-kind support from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
and the British Antarctic Survey, and advice from the Scientific Committee on
Antarctic Research.
About the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar Regions
The APPG Polar Regions was set up in 2015 with the purpose of informing
members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords about issues
affecting both the Arctic and the Antarctic.
 GRU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 23: Conference statement from The inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in London 2-3 December 2019
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It was founded by James Gray, and the APPG Polar Regions is one of the most
active all-party parliamentary groups, with 133 members from both Houses.
The Group is considered a thought-leader on polar issues and attracts in excess
of 450 subscribers from international organisations outside of parliament.
The APPG holds monthly meetings in the Houses of Parliament, inviting expert
speakers such as Sir David Attenborough, leading scientists from British Antarctic
Survey (BAS), the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), National Environmental
Research Council (NERC), and covering topics as diverse as geo-politics, defence,
biodiversity, climate change and exploration.
The Group Secretariat was run by Dr Duncan Depledge until early 2019, when he
left to take up a research fellowship at Loughborough University. Sophie
Montagne replaced him in March 2019, and was a former member of the British
Army s Ice Maidens –
the first female team to ski across Antarctica.