The Energy Transition in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) are remote, uninhabited British Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic, governed by the Falkland Islands. While lacking permanent population or industrial infrastructure, SGSSI holds strategic importance within broader discussions on polar policy, environmental governance, and maritime resource management. The territory is not currently known for critical mineral production, but its location within the Scotia Arc and Southern Ocean makes it geopolitically relevant amidst increasing interest in sub-Antarctic ecosystems and seabed resources. The Government of SGSSI has prioritised environmental protection, operating a large-scale Marine Protected Area and aligning closely with UK and international climate commitments. Though the territory does not contribute directly to energy transition supply chains, it plays a symbolic and regulatory role in global conservation frameworks. As polar and sub-polar regions attract growing geopolitical and scientific attention, SGSSI remains a key frontier in debates over sovereignty, sustainability, and future mineral governance.