Polar Oceans Governance in an Era of Environmental Change
New Horizons in Environmental and Energy Law Series

This timely book provides a cutting-edge assessment of how the dynamic ocean regions at the highest latitudes on Earth are being managed in an era of unprecedented environmental change. The Arctic and Southern Oceans are experiencing transformative environmental change as a result of climate change and ocean acidification. As areas of unparalleled environmental, cultural and scientific value, they are crucibles for testing how integrated, eco-systemic governance frameworks can be developed to meet and address volatile environmental, political and economic challenges. Drawing especially on Australian and Canadian experiences in polar oceans management through multilateral global and regional institutions, the book identifies policy options for improving the governance of the Arctic and Southern Oceans. In offering a pioneering ‘bipolar’ assessment of environmental management at both polar regions, this important book will be an essential resource for policy-makers, scholars and students actively engaged in discussion and debate on the future of polar oceans governance in the Anthropocene.

1. Polar Oceans Governance: Shifting Seascapes, Hazy Horizons

PART I: ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN THE POLAR OCEANS

2. Environmental Change and Governance Challenges in the Southern Ocean

3. Environmental Change in the Arctic Region

PART II: GEOSTRATEGIC DYNAMICS IN THE POLAR OCEANS

4. Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions: Power Politics and Regime Building in the Arctic

5. Power Politics in the Antarctic Treaty System

PART III: RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION – BIPOLAR PERSPECTIVES

6. Is Joint Development Possible in the Arctic?

7. From Hydrocarbons to Psychrophiles: The ‘Scramble’ for Antarctic and Arctic Resources

8. Polar Continental Shelves: Australian and Canadian Challenges and Opportunities

9. The IMO’s PSSA Mechanism and the Debate over the Northwest Passage

PART IV: DEVELOPING NATIONAL AND FOREIGN POLICY RESPONSES

10. Inuit Perspectives on the Governance in the Canadian Arctic

11. Arctic Climate Governance: Can the Canary in the Coal Mine Lift Canada’s Head out of the Sand(s)?

12. Coastal State Jurisdiction and the Polar Code: A Test Case for Arctic Oceans Governance?

13. Canada, the United States and International Law of the Sea in the Arctic Ocean

14. Middle Powers and Oceans Policy: Australian Perspectives on Antarctic Competition and Cooperation

PART V: THE FUTURE OF POLAR OCEANS GOVERNANCE

15. The Durability of the ‘Antarctic Model’ and Southern Ocean Governance

16. The Arctic Council and the Future of Arctic Ocean Governance: Edging Forward in a Sea of Governance Challenges

Index