Since 1978, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) has been the leading voice for Antarctic conservation, working solely for the protection of Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean. ASOC was awarded the 2025 Prize for the coalition’s work protecting one of the world’s most climate sensitive regions.

ASOC brings together environmental organisations from more than 10 countries to inform and motivate global leaders to protect Antarctica for all of humanity. It aligns members, partners, campaigners, and supporters to create a resilient and coordinated coalition. As the only environmental NGO invited to observe Antarctic Treaty meetings, ASOC works at the highest levels of governance to influence decisions about the future of Antarctica.

Despite its remoteness, Antarctica is a cornerstone of global stability. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, designated Antarctica as a continent of peace and cooperation, reserving it for peaceful purposes and scientific research. Antarctica holds nearly 90% of the world’s land ice and about 70% of its fresh water. The Southern Ocean alone accounts for around 10% of the global ocean and supports nearly 10,000 unique species. Its powerful currents regulate planetary temperatures, drive nutrient cycles, and sustain marine biodiversity that forms the base of the global food web. However, the region is at a tipping point, facing accelerated climate impacts, notably extreme temperature anomalies, marine heatwaves, and shrinking sea ice, with parts of Antarctica warming at more than twice the global average.

In this video, ASOC’s Founder, Jim Barnes, and Executive Director, Claire Christian, speak about how the coalition was formed, their goals and some of their major achievements, including legislation that bans mining and oil drilling in Antarctica in perpetuity.