Meeting with the Committee on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty: CEP XIII in Stockholm, 6-10 June, 2005
Important issues on the agenda at CEP XIII in Stockholm
The eighth meeting of the CEP will take place from 6-10 June 2005 in Stockholm, Sweden. As with previous meetings, the workload for CEP XIII is substantial, with over 100 working papers and information papers been submitted for consideration. The main topics of discussion are likely to include:
- consideration of the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of two new research stations;
- consideration of over one dozen new and revised management plans for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas (ASMAs);
- consideration of the environmental aspects of inspections of Antarctic stations undertaken in the last year;
- development of rules and criteria for listing and de-listing specially protected species;
- development of standard methods and indicators for monitoring the impacts of human activities on the Antarctic environment;
- further development of a system for reporting on the state of the Antarctic environment.
Additionally, the CEP has undertaken to review its work to date, with the intent of considering its method of operation and its strategic directions and future work.
Sweden issues an invitation to a lunchtime seminar on monitoring of networks as a tool for assessment
On Friday 10 June, from 1 pm to 2.15 pm, Sweden is organising a lunchtime seminar for CEP and ATCM delegates on the topic "Monitoring networks for assessment". The seminar is about means of making data available through environmental monitoring networks for countries and research networks. Associate Professor Cynthia de Witt from Stockholm University will speak about the coordination of national environmental monitoring programmes. Terry Callaghan, professor at Sheffield University and and director of Abisko Research Station will speak about research networks focusing on the climate issue. Following these two short talks, there will be an opportunity for questions. Former polar ambassador Eva Kettis, who was among those who started the work on the ACIA report, will moderate the seminar. The purpose of the seminar is to provide Swedish input to the CEP's further work on strategy development.
