May

The German Environment Agency commissioned the research project “Tourism monitoring in Antarctica: development of a concept for the monitoring of the effects of tourism on the Antarctic environment or dependent or associated ecosystems in Antarctica.” This study will be carried out by Fresh Thoughts Consulting GmbH and INASEA. 

This study aims firstly to present the current state of scientific knowledge on the impacts of tourism activities, including the logistics used, on the relevant protected goods of the Antarctic environment. On this basis, secondly, a comprehensive monitoring concept will be developed, providing a set of possible methods to monitor touristically frequented sites in Antarctica and to detect possible changes in the environment. International collaboration is an important pillar within CEP work and we aim to involve relevant stakeholders – as all of you are – at an early stage to ensure we create a monitoring system that is beneficial to and used by as many parties as possible.  

In the course of the project, 2 workshops are planned. The main objectives of the first workshop held on May 28, in Berlin were:  

• To present and consolidate the results accomplished so far and discuss the conclusions that can be drawn at this time.  
• To define the requirements for a comprehensive monitoring concept on environmental impacts of Antarctic tourism and to develop a common vision. 
• To solicit cooperation on the monitoring concept and to outline a path for further cooperation in this area. 

This first workshop took place as a non-official full-day satellite event on Saturday, May 28, 2022, from 9:00-16:30 at the ATCM 2022 conference premises - Estrel Berlin (23 May 2022 - 2 Jun 2022), in Berlin, Germany.

Commissioned by:

with the support of: