China and Russia block bid to protect endangered emperor penguin
At the annual meeting of Antarctic Treaty parties, a proposal to designate the emperor penguin as a 'Specially Protected Species' was blocked by China and Russia. The EU, Australia and New Zealand supported the measure. Scientists project the species could shrink by 99% by 2100.
At the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) held in Milan, the conservation proposal jointly drafted by Australia and the United Kingdom secured the backing of 28 countries. Under the treaty's consensus rule, however, objections from China and Russia prevented adoption. The protection status of the emperor penguin cannot be upgraded within the current framework.
The Chinese delegation argued that the existing scientific evidence did not meet the threshold for 'Specially Protected Species'. The Russian representative asked that the matter be postponed until broader data studies on the Antarctic ecosystem are completed. No specific timeline was set in the joint communiqué.
WWF's Antarctic programme coordinator Chris Johnson said the decision 'means a critical window for the species is being missed'. Australia's Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said 'protecting Antarctica is a global responsibility and the diplomacy must be rebuilt'. The next ATCM meeting will take place in Helsinki in 2027.
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