  A 'planetary park' system has been suggested as a way for Mars to 'preserve'
land for a multitude of purposes. These parks would represent a diverse portion
of martian terrain and would be regulated to minimize human contamination and
prevent excess human intervention. Such a planetary parks concept could also
appeal to corporate interests as a compromise between protecting environmental
interests and allowing private use of resources on Mars. This empirical study
aims to help advance the core discussion of the interplay between future space
activities and future preservation plans on Mars. Specifically, this work uses
a particular strategic foresight method, the Policy Delphi, as a means to
reveal positions on that issue and to explore alternative policy options in
advance, through the collective judgment of a panel of experts. It should be
noted that the goal was not strictly to promote consensus regarding the topic
of interest, but to encourage structured dialogue. Consequently, the stable
consensus achieved in specific areas indicated that the panel of experts
foresees international cooperation on matters related to preservation plans for
Mars, which, in turn, will enhance the overall international space governance.
Furthermore, the panel foresees the inclusion of varying actors, both state and
non-state ones, in the development of a preservation framework for Mars,
especially on a national level. To this end, the panel endorses the inclusion
of a diversity of values to be protected via the aforementioned framework, and
suggests the advancement of broad global dialogue on this matter including
academic, industrial, governmental, and public actors. The preliminary insights
revealed in this work may inform relevant international discussions towards the
formulation of proactive policies that will contribute to the environmental
governance of future activities on Mars.
