In accordance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection the Antarctic Treaty (Environmental Protocol), proposed activities in Antarctica must undergo prior environmental impact assessment.

If it is determined that a proposed activity is likely to have more than a minor or transitory impact, a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation is prepared and circulated for comment to all countries that are party to the Environmental Protocol. Each party, such as Australia, must make the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation available for public comment.

Two such evaluations, for station developments by New Zealand and Turkey, are currently open for public comment until 20 April 2021.

Update 21 April 2021: opportunity for comment has now closed.

on