The Role of Environmental Organizations in Antarctic Treaty System: The Case of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

Abstract

This study aims to anaylse the evolution of the role played by the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), which consists of many environmental NGOs, in the politics of Antarctica. The existence of the ASOC takes place in a broader framework of growing ecological concerns, the evolving legal tools to address them, and the development of the Antarctic Treaty System, which governs the continent. The relationship between environmental organizations and states and intergovernmental organizations can be named as a strategic interaction in which states try to instrumentalize environmental organizations in order to gain superiority, and environmental organizations take over the functions previously held by states. In this context, the relationship between ASOC and nation states will be discussed in the context of the Antarctic Treaty Consultation Meetings that shape the system governing the continent. The methodology is mainly based on the evaluation of meeting reports, management plans and policy documents in terms of quality and quantity. Environmental sensitivities increasing according to the expected result from the general structure highlight the effectiveness of ASOC in Antarctic affairs.

Keywords

• The Antarctic Treaty System
• Environmental NGOs
• Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
• The Politics of Antarctica
• Environmental Conservation

Antarktika Antlaşmalar Sistemi Kapsamında Çevre Örgütlerinin Rolü: Antarktika ve Güney Okyanusu Koalisyonu Örneği

Abstract

Bu çalışma birçok çevre sivil toplum örgütünden oluşan Antarktika ve Güney Okyanusu Koalisyonu’nun, Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), küresel Antarktika siyasetinde oynadığı rolün gelişimini inceleyecektir. ASOC’nin varlığı büyüyen ekolojik kaygılar, bunları ele almak için gelişen hukuki araçlar ve kıtayı yöneten Antarktika Antlaşmalar Sistemi’nin gelişiminden oluşan daha geniş bir çerçeveye yerleşir. Çevre örgütleriyle devletler ve hükümetler arası kurumlar arasındaki ilişki, devletlerin üstünlük sağlamak için çevre örgütlerini araçsallaştırmaya çalıştığı, çevre örgütlerinin ise daha önce devletler tarafından sahip olunan işlevleri devraldığı stratejik bir etkileşim olarak isimlendirilebilir. Bu bağlamda bu çalışmada ASOC ve ulus devletler arasındaki ilişki, kıtayı yöneten sistemi şekillendiren Antarktika Antlaşması İstişare Toplantılarının işleyişi kapsamında ele alınacaktır. Değerlendirme sürecinde toplantı raporlarından, yönetim planlarından ve politika belgelerinden yararlanılacak, elde edilen data nitelik ve nicelik olarak analiz edilecektir. Genel yapıdan beklenen sonuca göre artan çevresel hassasiyetler ASOC’nin kıta siyasetindeki etkinliğini öne çıkarmaktadır.

Keywords

• Antarktika Antlaşmalar Sistemi
• Çevre Örgütleri
• Antarktika ve Güney Okyanusu Koalisyonu
• Antarktika Siyaseti
• Çevresel Muhafaza

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