IUCN contributes global guidance on species protection, climate action and tourism at Antarctic Treaty meeting
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) brought new scientific evidence on the impacts of climate change to species in Antarctica, and contributed research on effective tourism, to the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Hiroshima, Japan, helping shape discussions on species conservation, climate action and tourism governance.
The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) is the annual decision-making forum of the Antarctic Treaty System
Photo: John Weller
The emperor penguin has moved from Near Threatened to Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Photo: Philip Trathan
The Antarctic fur seal has moved from Least Concern to Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Photo: Kit M. Kovacs & Christian Lydersen - Norwegian Polar Institute
The southern elephant seal has moved from Least Concern to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Photo: Kit M. Kovacs & Christian Lydersen - Norwegian Polar Institute
The meeting followed IUCN’s April announcement that the Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal are now classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to climate change impacts in Antarctica. The assessments warned that changing sea ice conditions could halve emperor penguin populations by the 2080s, while warming oceans and declining food availability have already driven Antarctic fur seal populations down by more than 50% since 2000.
Against this backdrop, the IUCN delegation engaged with Parties throughout the two-week meeting on the urgent need to strengthen Antarctic conservation and governance responses to climate change and other growing pressures on the region.
“There are practical measures that can and must be taken to reduce risks to Antarctic species and ecosystems, while also limiting other anthropogenic pressures wherever possible,” said Stewart Maginnis, IUCN Deputy Director General.
“IUCN is committed to supporting Parties and providing scientific guidance to help protect this critically important, if still overlooked, continent.”
This year, IUCN submitted seven new IUCN Red List assessments for consideration by ATCM Parties:
- Emperor penguin – Endangered
- Antarctic fur seal – Endangered
- Southern elephant seal – Vulnerable
- Crabeater seal – Least Concern
- Leopard seal – Least Concern
- Ross seal – Least Concern
- Weddell seal – Least Concern
The assessments were well received and discussed extensively by Parties over the two-week meeting. Discussions highlighted broad recognition that climate change is already seriously affecting Antarctic species and ecosystems, with particular concern expressed regarding the endangered status of the emperor penguin.
Climate change emerged as a central theme throughout the meeting, reflecting its growing impacts across Antarctica, including on scientific research, tourism, habitats and wildlife populations. The two Endangered Red List assessments identified climate change as the primary driver of population decline.
IUCN welcomed the broad agreement among Parties on the importance of using all available tools to address climate change both within the Antarctic Treaty System and globally. Discussions during both formal negotiations and informal exchanges provided valuable insights into how the IUCN Red List guidance can further support Antarctic governance and conservation decision-making.
Tourism discussions also advanced during this year’s ATCM. Parties continued work on a comprehensive framework for tourism regulation, alongside informed discussions on tourism management challenges and opportunities.
IUCN contributed to these discussions through a paper on tourism fees, drawing on global examples and experience to help inform future approaches to Antarctic tourism management. The Union also actively participated in exchanges throughout the meeting and will continue contributing to intersessional work ahead of next year’s ATCM in Incheon, Republic of Korea.
The IUCN delegation was represented in person by Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General, IUCN Councillor and Professor Catherine Iorns, Professor Yu-Fai Leung, Dr. Daniela Cajiao and Dr. Heidi Weiskel, with Dr. Ally Kristan and Researcher Yousra Makanse participating online. Yu-Fai Leung, Daniela Cajiao, Ally Kristan and Yousra Makanse are members of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) working on Antarctic tourism issues.
In addition to formal negotiations, IUCN held 15 bilateral meetings, strengthening relationships with existing partners and establishing new connections to support future engagement across species protection, area management, tourism and climate change. Preparations are also already underway for the next Antarctic Treaty System meeting later this year — the meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).