氣候變遷和其對極地環境所引發的效應，以及2007年即將展開的「國際極地年」，都是今年南極公約專家諮詢會議上主要的討論重點，此次為期10天的會議在愛丁堡舉行，並於23日落幕。300位來自全球45國的科學家和法政顧問同意，除了提供國際極地年各項科學計劃充分的政治支持，也會儘量滿足計劃所需的財政需求。
在會議專題演說中，英國海外領地部部長屈斯曼勳爵（Lord Triesman）表示：「南極洲作為科學研究平台的重要性不容小覷。隨著氣候變遷的效應逐漸顯著，我們將必須從南極洲找尋可能的解決之道──既要調查鎖在南極冰層裡地球的史前史，也要監控該冰層的穩定性。」
50年前，「國際地球物理年」啟動了國際自然科學界與後勤單位之合作，為南極公約的協商機制鋪路。一直以來，南極公約確保了南極洲這塊大陸的定位──和平與科學。
南極公約締約國除了保證支持氣候變遷因應問題，他們表示，在國際極地年間從極地收集到的科學數據與資料，能對未來國際政府與政府間氣候變遷評估小組的各項評估有所助益。
英國南極調查局局長芮普雷表示：「極地地區對於整個地球的穩定性非常重要。」他接著說：「南極公約系統確保在南極的科學合作與共同研究，同時也試圖保護其環境；未來該公約面臨越來越大的衝擊，此衝擊主要來自南極洲管轄權之外的的變遷。即將到來的國際極地年，將提供完善的科學基礎支撐這些政策和公約。」
不過，南極公約代表以往並沒有通過更嚴格的環境策略，以保護南極大陸免受年年增多的旅遊業壓力。
多數的旅遊公司都是國際南極旅遊組織的成員，該組織提供在愛丁堡的代表相關數據，顯示自1992年以來，登上南極大陸旅遊的遊客增加了4倍之多。
1994年在京都舉行的南極公約會議正式通過對旅遊業者和科學家規範更為嚴格的指導方針。而後，去年在斯德哥爾摩所舉行的會議，代表們通過一項正式決議關於遊客遊覽地點的指導方針，以提供更為詳盡的指示，規範在南極洲最熱門的旅遊地點所從事的各項活動。
另外，某些代表在愛丁堡會議上表示，他們認為需要更為嚴格的規定，以避免損害南極洲的生態系統。
Climate change and its effect on polar environments and the upcoming International Polar Year 2007 dominated 10 days of discussions at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting that ended Friday in Edinburgh. Some 300 scientists and legal and political advisors from 45 countries agreed to give full political support and as much financial support as possible to International Polar Year projects.
In a keynote address Lord Triesman, British Minister for Overseas Territories, said, "The importance of Antarctica as a platform for science cannot be overestimated. As the effects of climate change become more evident, it will be to the Antarctic that we must continue to turn for possible answers - both to examine the pre-history of our planet locked up in Antarctic ice, and to monitor the very stability of that ice-sheet," he said.
Fifty years ago, the international scientific and logistical cooperation of the International Geophysical Year paved the way for the successful negotiation of the Antarctic Treaty. This Treaty has secured Antarctica as a continent of peace and science ever since.
The scientific data and information collected from the polar regions during the International Polar Year could contribute to future assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, they said, pledging to support efforts to tackle climate change.
"The Polar Regions are crucial to the stability of the planet," said Professor Chris Rapley, director of British Antarctic Survey.
"While the Antarctic Treaty System ensures scientific cooperation and collaboration in Antarctica, and seeks to protect its environment, it will increasingly have to confront the impacts on the Antarctic of change outside its jurisdiction," Rapley said. "The forthcoming International Polar Year will provide the sound scientific underpinning for such policies and treaties."
Antarctic Treaty delegates were not able to agree on stricter environmental measures to protect the continent from tourist pressure, which is increasing year by year.
Most tour companies are members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which provided figures to the delegates in Edinburgh showing visitor landings have quadrupled since 1992.
The 1994 Antarctic Treaty Meeting in Kyoto adopted strict guidelines for tour operators and scientists. Then, at last year's meeting in Stockholm, the delegates adopted a Resolution on Site Guidelines for Visitors to provide specific instructions on the conduct of activities at the most frequently visited Antarctic sites.
Still, at the Edinburgh meeting some delegates said they believe even stricter measures are needed to avoid damage to Antarctic ecosystems.
