Download Topic B: Oil Exploration in the Arctic

United Nations Environment Program
Harry Lau
Intermediate
Topic B: Oil Exploration in the Arctic
Introduction
Welcome to the United Nations Environment Programme committee! Established as the result
of United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972, this programme is
an organization of the United Nations that directs environmental activities and helps
developing countries make environmentally sound and sustainable wide-ranging
environmental practices. Some of the main activities that UNEP does is associated with
climate change, ecosystem management, resource efficiency, harmful substances and
environmental governance. UNEP has sponsored the development of solar loan programs to
buffer initial deployment costs and persuade consumers to acknowledge and purchase PV
systems.
Apart from that, UNEP is one of the agencies for the Global Environment Facility and the Multilateral Fund for the
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. The International Cyanide Management Code was developed with UNEP’s support
and is a member of the United Nations Development Group. Furthermore, UNEP and WMO (World Meteorological Organization)
have established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Background
Oil Exploration in the Arctic, deals with the issue of ownership and exploration rights of the oil resources in the Arctic region.
Currently, under international law, no country owns the North Pole and the region of the Arctic Ocean which surrounds it. As oil
exploration is more challenging in such an environment than in any other, this was not a viable option up until more recent times,
when technological advances finally made it economically and physically feasible. As the Arctic is estimated to contain
approximately 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil mainly in offshore locations, owning the rights and extracting this oil could
be a boon to the petroleum industry.
Issues
1.
Why is this an important issue?
a) One of the most important reasons as to the relevance of this issue is economic in nature. According to some estimates, the
Arctic is home to around 22% of the remaining supplies of oil and gas in the entire world. Although costs to retrieve these
resources are quite high, given the assumption that energy prices will spike in the future, many Arctic-bordering states believe
that the end result will be well worth the cost.
b) An environmental factor is also taken into account with this issue as well. Part of the reason why this topic is now the subject
of much contention among nations is the fact that as climate change continues to warm up the atmosphere of the earth, increased
melting and sloughing off of ice in Arctic regions means that areas containing abundant resources that may have previously been
hard or too costly to access now have a larger chance of being realized as legitimate prospects by various nations, which in turn
has led to an increase in claims and potential conflicts. The clearing up of open nautical passages through the Arctic would also
mean the creation of new trading routes, which would prove quite profitable to the nation that possesses them.
c) Politically speaking, some of the countries surrounding the Arctic are eager to submit a claim to land because it would be to
their advantage just to own a territory in the general area. In addition, by constructing elements such as military bases or research
labs, said country would be able to keep unwanted nations from entering into their own claims in the Arctic, fortifying their own
power, and sending a message to the world. Reserves of natural resources in this area could also be exploited without having the
risk potentially agitating the political instability in regions such as the Middle East and Africa, where the majority of such deposits
are currently located.
2. Important historical events which relate to the topic
a) In 1977, and even until present times, the decision on whether or not to drill for oil in the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge) has been the subject of much debate in the USA. Despite the fact that it is considered a protected wildlife zone and
wilderness area in Northern Alaska, factors in this situation include the amount of extractable oil relative to the world market,
and the potential harm that this process may cause to existing wildlife and ecosystems.
b) In 2001, Russia submitted a claim for the Lomonosov Ridge, a 1240 mile long underwater ridge to the U.N. If this was
recognized, then Russia would have a claim for land almost all the way to the North Pole. In an effort to strengthen their claim,
in 2007 a Russian science expedition used a mini-sub to plant a flag in the Arctic seabed underneath the North Pole.
Past UN Actions
Solutions to attempt mediation in potential conflicts and the organization of competent exploration/oil extraction efforts have
included the creation of the Arctic Council, formed by 8 Arctic countries: Canada, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia,
Sweden, and the United States. Many other observer states which have no voting rights are also allowed to observe proceedings.
These include influential countries such as China, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The Arctic Council deals primarily
with geopolitical and security issues, particularly with the issue of climate change revealing more waterways and previously
inaccessible energy resources. In summary, the Arctic Council seeks to promote friendly cooperation, coordination, and
interaction among the Arctic States, while also allowing indigenous Arctic inhabitants a say in the situation.
Keys of the Resolution
1. Economic Guidelines – Rules establishing ownership of natural resources and trading in the Arctic
2. Territorial Claims – Possible amendments to existing laws or claims that could be made to improve the situation
3. Suggestions for the Future – Advisory opinions stating what should be done in the event of further geographical shifts based
on environmental factors
4. Passageway Ownership – Agreements between nations describing the given (or shared) ownership of trading passages
through the Arctic, and all related issues
5. Logistics – General logistics and estimated plans needed to put proposed resolutions into place