The Portfolio Committee further notes that Annex VI creates a framework for Parties to require operators in the Antarctic Treaty area to develop and implement contingency plans and preventative measures to reduce the risk of environmental emergencies and to respond to environmental incidents when they occur. In addition, if an operator does not respond to a particular environmental emergency, any party is encouraged to take action and creates a mechanism for that party to recover the costs of response action either from the operator or an international fund which will be established.