ABSTRACT
Key components of global and regional instruments relevant to the conduct of scientific research in the polar regions are presented. The existence of the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention as the overarching global agreement regulating marine scientific research results in the chapter’s relatively greater attention marine science in both regions, while the longer history of the 1957 Antarctic Treaty and the Antarctic Treaty System provides a regionally coherent approach to rules for marine and terrestrial research. The contrast between established State sovereignty in the Arctic and the effective suspension of territorial claims in Antarctica is also explored for the extent to which it results in different rules for scientific research between the regions. Accomplishments and challenges discussed include the response to new technologies, the need for the scientific community to broaden the sources of knowledge used to address the increasing challenges presented by climate change and the potential to clarify interactions between the Arctic and Antarctic legal regimes through such developments as the anticipated finalisation of an internationally binding legal agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
