US rebuked for reluctance to use 'climate change' term in Antarctica meeting

The United States has been rebuked over its reluctance to use the term "climate change" at a major Antarctic meeting, with one country describing it as a "dangerous precedent".

Antarctica has been undergoing rapid and abrupt changes in recent years, including reduced sea ice, warming waters and threats to wildlife.

Scientists say human-induced climate change associated with greenhouse gas emissions is directly linked to the changes.

But new details of diplomatic tensions at last month's annual gathering of Antarctic Treaty nations has emerged following today's release of the meeting's final report.

The report reveals that France took issue with the US' suggestion not to use broad terms such as "climate change" and instead refer to "specific" environmental changes.

"France … expressed it had strong concern about the gradual disappearance of references to climate change in the work of the Committee [for Environmental Protection]," the report states.

"France emphasised that climate change was a reality affecting all countries, regardless of borders.

It said scientists had undertaken substantial work that "clearly demonstrated" the connection between climate change and the degradation of Antarctic ecosystems.

The report said most countries supported France's statement, noting previous commitments by Antarctic Treaty nations to combat the adverse impacts of climate change.

The report said the US agreed on the importance of using the best available science.

But it said the US wanted the focus on "specific" environmental changes, such as reductions in sea ice or impacts on emperor penguins, rather than broad terminology.

"The United States stressed the need to focus efforts on understanding and addressing the impacts of specific changes to the Antarctic environment rather than on broad discussions that did not necessarily lead to action," the report said.

Conservationists condemn US stance

US President Donald Trump has previously described climate change as a "con job" and his administration has removed references to climate change from government websites.

The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition [ASOC], a global alliance of conservation groups, said climate change should not be censored out of discussions or reports.

"The evidence is clear: the Antarctic region is undergoing rapid climate change, and this is already having significant effects on planetary systems," ASOC executive director Claire Christian told the ABC.

"If we don't reduce our carbon emissions rapidly, these effects will only become more severe and unpredictable.

Antarctic researcher and former US diplomat Evan Bloom said the approach taken by the US was not surprising given its stance in other global forums.

"The US position at the [Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting] shows how out of step the US is with most of the rest of the world on climate change," Mr Bloom said.

"Yet, of course, this reflects Trump administration policy, which counters any focus on climate at international meetings."

Mr Bloom noted the US did not assert a veto over climate issues and was not as "strident or confrontational" as it could have been.

"Other parties are used to this from the US at this point. They, of course, disagreed and were disappointed in that approach," he said.

Mr Bloom also noted the US had supported the designation of emperor penguins, which are under threat from climate change, as a specially protected species, despite China and Russia blocking the move.

The ABC has contacted the US government for comment.