Shaping the Ice: Argentina and Australia’s contributions to Antarctic law

This book examines the crucial role of Antarctic legal studies in managing present and future geopolitical tensions in Antarctica. Specifically focusing on Argentina and Australia’s historical contributions, it examines key moments of crisis in Antarctic history to assess their impact on Antarctic law development. By analysing these nations’ responses to critical situations, the book extracts valuable lessons on how they can effectively use Antarctic law to navigate current and future geopolitical challenges. Furthermore, the book offers seven practical recommendations for Argentina and Australia to enhance Antarctic law, ensuring its efficacy in addressing these challenges.

Readers will not only gain a comprehensive understanding of Argentina and Australia’s historical roles in shaping Antarctic law but also appreciate the pivotal role of this legal framework in maintaining order, stability, and cooperation in the Antarctic region. The book’s insights are invaluable for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in the sustainable governance of Antarctica, emphasizing the significance of international collaboration in preserving this unique and vital environment.

Dr Bruno Arpi is a Senior Lecturer at the Adelaide Law School and co-director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Research Unit at Adelaide University. His teaching and research focus on public international law, the law of the sea, climate change law, and Antarctic law, and he has published extensively on legal issues related to marine conservation and polar regions. Bruno serves on the International Law Association Committee on the Contributions of International Law to the Global Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2030 Agenda, as well as on the Standing Committee on the Humanities and Social Sciences (SC-HASS) of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). He is currently Co-Editor of The Polar Journal Special Issue on “Responding to the Call for Reform: The Present and Future of Antarctic Governance.”