Air quality in Antarctica is pristine. Antarctica is the only continent without any exceedances of air quality parameters against the WHO standards. The atmosphere is virtually free of anthropogenic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and man-made particulate matter. The pristine air quality needs to be taken into account not only as part of the environmental assessment process but also during the environmental management and operations we undertake in Antarctica. Operating in a pristine air quality environment highlights the important benefits of using SAF for aircraft operations in Antarctica, through the reduction of air pollutants. SAF provides the added benefit of lower deposition of particles such as soot on the Antarctic blue-ice environment.

The results found that NO2 , O3and SO2 were in line with other comparable monitoring carried out in Antarctica. White Desert will establish a programme of air quality monitoring in the vicinity of Wolf’s Fang Runway and Skiway. It is proposed to continue and expand the air quality monitoring at Wolf’s Fang in order to assess and measure changes in the local air quality through the use of SAF blended fuels in future seasons. By establishing the baseline this season, we will be able to compare the use of traditional JetA1 with SAF and identify any local air quality benefits. This is an important area for further research and monitoring. The results also indicate that it is important to consider mobile and stationary sources of emissions such as generators and skidoos with the use of efficient plant and equipment.

Waste management and handling is carried out in accordance with the Antarctic Protocol and set out in the White Desert Waste Management Plan for staff to follow. In accordance with the Antarctic Protocol, waste is removed from Antarctica on an annual basis at the end of each season and is shipped to Cape Town for further handling. All waste is removed from Antarctica, other than grey water and liquid human waste which are disposed of in suitable pits or treated, in accordance with the Antarctic Protocol requirements. In order to reduce potential impacts arising from waste, we adopt a waste strategy which will: · Minimise the quantity of waste produced in Antarctica through reducing packaging materials and the use of re-usable materials · Eradicate single-use plastics from our supply chain, wherever possible · Continue to monitor waste and set annual targets for continual improvements in waste management · Continue to monitor and audit waste management contractors in Cape Town and ensure Duty of Care is complied with

The total quantity of waste removed from Antarctica this season was approximately 30 tonnes. We have achieved diversion from landfill for most waste streams through sewage treatment, composting, re-use, re-purposing or recycling. Of the eleven waste streams, nine (80% of waste streams) have been diverted from landfill. Diversion from landfill includes food waste composting, repurposing of wooden pallets and scrap metal recycling. Previous seasons were impacted by the global pandemic and we have moved to a new waste contractor, with different reporting parameters. This year will therefore form a baseline for future comparisons in relation to waste.

In Antarctica, current renewable energy use includes the following · Camp Echo - a system which uses photovoltaic panels and inverters to power the heaters for pods has been found to significantly reduce fuel use · Wolf’s Fang Runway - a system which uses photovoltaic panels and inverters to power the generators for melting snow has been found to significantly reduce fuel use required to melt snow