Belgium’s Antarctic research station a global sustainability benchmark

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The International Polar Foundation (IPF) unveiled today the final plans for Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Antarctic research station, to be built during the International Polar Year 2007-08 (IPY). The station will enable Belgium, and other nations participating in its science program, to carry out important research on climate change and Antarctica’s key role as part of the global climate system. This research will contribute to the massive international scientific effort scheduled for the IPY.

“The International Polar Foundation is very pleased to be able to work with the Belgian Government in making this station Antarctica’s most sustainable research platform,” Alain Hubert, Chairman of the IPF, said today.

Hubert went on to say that “the Princess Elisabeth station will represent international best practice in being entirely run on renewable energy and in completely recycling all waste. Belgium, one of the twelve original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty, will not cause any damage to the pristine Antarctic environment”.

“When we know already that we need to live more sustainably to avoid drastic climate change, we must certainly research sustainably in the Antarctic” Hubert said.

The station will be situated inland, near the Sor Rondane mountains in Dronning Maud Land, not far from where Belgium maintained the “Roi Baudouin” base for a decade following the last international polar year (1957-58). The station site (at 71 degrees South and 23 degrees East) is in the 1500 kilometer empty stretch between the Japanese Syowa station and the Russian Novolazarevskaya station.

The Belgian Government, following its 2004 decision to take up the IPF’s proposal for a new base, announced on 19 May 2006 that it would provide €3 million to the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) for the station’s management and research program in 2008 and 2009. The construction of the base is expected to cost around €6.4 million, of which €2 million has already been committed by the Belgian Government and with the remainder to be found by the IPF through private sector sponsorship and public donations.

The Belgian Government also announced on 19 May that it would mint a commemorative coin for public sale with the proceeds to go towards the International Polar Foundation and its fundraising for the Princess Elisabeth station.

The station’s research program is expected to involve scientists from European nations as well as other international researchers, including from Japan. Building on the existing BELSPO Antarctic research program (with a budget of around €6 million over 2006-2010), the additional research funding will help tackle some of the key questions about the vast Antarctic continent and our planet’s endangered climate.

Media Contact:

Philippe Gosseries 0475-596-112

BACKGROUND:

The International Polar Foundation (IPF) is an international not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Brussels (established as a “Fondation d’Utilité Publique” in Belgium in 2002, with HRH Prince Philippe as Honorary President). It also has branches in Great-Britain, France, Switzerland and the United States.

The IPF’s mission is: To communicate and educate on the reality of climate change through the findings of Polar sciences and thereby convince society to act responsibly now to ensure a sustainable world for future generations.

For more detailed information about the IPF visit www.polarfoundation.org.