论风险预防原则在南极环境管理中的适用

APPLICATION OF THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: A DISCUSSION

风险预防原则是国际环境法中重要的一般原则,但是《关于环境保护的南极条约议定书》中却没有明确地规定该原则。在对比分析环境法领域中现有的关于风险预防原则的解释基础之上,避开了科学不确定性所产生的一些适用上的矛盾,从环境脆弱性的角度提出了一种全新的风险预防原则构成要素的结构分析。该结构分析有助于应对南极环境管理过程中所面临的困境,尤其是避免了与议定书中相关规定的冲突,可以更好地解决南极环境管理中的累积性影响、外来物种应对等;同时,完善全面环境影响评价报告中关于"知识差距和不确定性"的规定,也有助于南极环境的有效保护。

The Precautionary Principle, one of the most important principles in International Environmental Law, is ac- cepted by many international legal instruments, including both hard law and soft law. It has been deemed an effec- tive tool for protecting the environment. Despite this, no articles explicitly formulating this principle exist in the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty （1991）, impeding effective management of Antarctica and its resources. Any activity in Antarctica may damage this fragile environment, and as such we should be partic- ularly cautious of what activities are permitted in it. However, the Precautionary Principle requires an activity to proceed with caution only where the impact or consequences of an action are poorly known or unknown, rather than to proceed cautiously in an environment in which the effects of an action might be well understood. From a manage- ment perspective, the Precautionary Principle might not apply in Antarctic conditions. We propose a modified con- ceptual framework of the Precautionary Principle that considers the fragility of the Antarctic environment. Our inter- pretation of the Precautionary Principle avoids conflict with current regulations in the Protocol, and promotes effective management of cumulative impacts. Comparing the CEE Reports （ Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation） of four countries regarding their scientific research stations, we recommend detailed rules be made and instructive cases provided as a guide for subsequent activities.