UN Environmental Programme
Topic: B
Hydraulic Fracturing
UNEP Topic B
Cambodia
Hydraulic fracturing, or the process of drilling into impermeable rock formations using toxic
chemicals and high-pressure water to extract shale gas, is revolutionary in its ability to unlock new
supplies of oil where conventional technologies are ineffective. Nonetheless, the disadvantages of this
process – including leakage of toxic chemicals, contamination of drinking water, damage to ecosystems,
as well as a potential connection to seismic activity – heavily outweigh the advantages, thus rendering
fracking excessively harmful to the environment. The United States, for example, created 280 billion
gallons of toxic wastewater through fracking endeavors in 2012, according to a 2013 report from
Environment America. Stated in the same report, such toxic wastewater reportedly contaminated water
sources in New Mexico alone at least 421 times in the past year. Further, hydraulic fracturing may
potentially be linked to earthquake occurrences: in 2011, two earthquakes, speculated to be the result of
fracking chemicals being pumped into a small fault line near the city of Blackpool, United Kingdom,
struck at minor magnitudes (newscientist.com). If these problems are significantly affecting stable
countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the potential harm that hydraulic fracturing
can cause for even remotely volatile countries is insurmountable. Nonetheless, shale gas itself is
incredibly abundant, more so than natural gas, meaning that potential shale gas industries could be very
successful. As it is, however, fracking, currently the only method of shale gas extraction, poses too
incredible of an environmental risk…. But, if regulations were enacted and a greener method of fracking
established, shale gas could become a boon for modern markets.
Cambodia is ranked the 8th poorest country in the world, with a 20.5% national poverty rate
(World Bank). This being said, Cambodia also holds an estimated 400 million barrels of oil within its
jurisdiction (The Diplomat). Potentially, there is even more shale gas within Cambodia’s borders. Prior to
this April, Cambodia was in dire need of assistance; we possessed an abundance of resources (namely oil)
but retained no economic means to produce them. Thankfully, in April, Cambodian Commerce Minister
Sun Chanthol announced a partnership with Azerbaijan, a nation well versed in oil production. “[We also]
have oil and gas reserves, but they must be assessed, explored and developed and Azerbaijan is known for
its experience and best practice in this area, which could be useful to us,” stated Chanthol earlier this year.
Previously to this, in 2005, Chevron, a United States based oil company, announced the existence of
potential oil reserves in Cambodia. However, until now, the country has failed to reach agreements on
how to exploit such reserves (The Diplomat). Partnerships similar to the alliance between Cambodia, a
country in need of monetary help and Azerbaijan, an economically stable nation, are essential for starting
and developing the economies of futile countries.
Shale gas holds promise in future markets; its abundant underground supply seems endless, and
therefore it carries large amount of potential for economic opportunity. Nonetheless, the process of
hydraulic fracturing in its current stage poses too much of a risk to the environment. For example, since
only 71.3% of Cambodia’s population has access to clean drinking water (CIA World Factbook),
contamination caused by fracking is too risky for the already problematic statistics. Additionally,
Cambodia (as well as other Southeast Asian countries) is already susceptible to and easily damaged by
tsunamis and earthquakes occurring near the Indo-Australian fault line. Still, shale gas is incredibly
promising, and therefore Cambodia is willing to partner with other countries, much like our partnership
with Azerbaijan, to find an alternative, environmentally friendly method of extracting it.
UNEP Topic B
Works Cited
Cheang, Sopheng. "." : Cambodian PM Gives Chevron Ultimatum on Oil, AS. CAAI News Media, 6 Apr.
2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Editorial Staff, Penn Energy. "KrisEnergy Acquires Chevron Cambodia Unit." PennEnergy. PennEnergy,
11 Aug. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Goldenberg, Suzanne. "Fracking Produces Annual Toxic Waste Water Enough to Flood Washington
DC." The Guardian. The Guardian, 4 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Henderson, Simon. "Cambodia Asks for Help in Oil and Gas Industry | The Cambodia Daily." The
Cambodia Daily. The Cambodia Daily, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Hunt, Luke. "What Fracking Means for Southeast Asia." The Diplomat. The Diplomat, 7 Mar. 2013.
Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Kiger, Patrick J. "Green Fracking? 5 Technologies for Cleaner Shale Energy." National Geographic.
National Geographic Society, 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
Valentine, Katie. "Study Links Water Contamination To Fracking Operations In Texas And
Pennsylvania." ThinkProgress RSS. ClimateProgress15, 15 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
UNEP Topic B
Denmark
Though the Kingdom of Denmark suffers from little poverty and is mostly an urban nation,
it fully understands the need to reduce rural poverty in a sustainable manner in many nations around the
world. Denmark is part of the Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI), a joint project between the UNEP
and UNDP, a program which encourages governments to implement plans for sustainable development in
order to reduce poverty. Separately from the PEI, the nation has given about 42 million USD to efforts in
rural Vietnam which have reduced poverty in the targeted regions from 25% to just 10% and improved
quality of life for more than a million Vietnamese farming families. Along with nations such as Australia,
France, and the United States, Denmark contributed to the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund
(LIFT), a program to decrease rural poverty and improve quality of life for landless farmers in Myanmar.
As of December 2013, Denmark has contributed about 9.7 million USD.
Cooperation between and within nations is key to overcoming rural poverty. Denmark strongly
encourages a solution that focuses not only on reducing rural poverty in the short term but also on making
sure the efforts are sustainable. The UNEP must facilitate the connecting of rural farmers to resources
such as electricity and clean water. Governments must be informed of the various ways to make their
efforts both effective and sustainable, and it is the responsibility of the UNEP to do so, funded by its
member states. Cooperation between public and private sectors must also be encouraged so as to facilitate
improving technology for poor farmers and the bringing of agricultural goods to market. Denmark
strongly encourages the UNEP to tailor plans for sustainable reduction of rural poverty to each nations’
needs, economy, and level of poverty.
UNEP Topic B
Works Cited
“Denmark Helps Vietnam Slash Rural Poverty Rate.” Talkvietnam: Everything about Vietnam.
Talkvietnam, 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
“Fighting Rural Poverty - New Danish Commitment to the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund.”
Denmark in Thailand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Denmark, 16 Oct. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
Luque, Victoria. PEI Annual Progress Report 2011. Ed. Nita Congress. UNDP-UNEP, 2012. PDF file.
“The World Factbook: Denmark.” Central Intelligence Agency. CIA, 22 June 2014. Web.
2014.
UNEP Topic B
7 Oct.
India
India currently holds its place as the second largest population in the world. The expansive
country holds a tremendous amount of people, yet only 31.3% of it is urban. The rest are living in rural
areas and villages. Poverty in these expanses continues to be a very concerning and degrading issue for
the residents of India. The question many may ask is, what causes this problem? The answer lies in the
nation’s economy. About 49% of India’s total work force is involved in agriculture, whether it may be
traditional or more modern. However, services continue to be the country’s most reliable source for their
growth in economy, and only consist of 30% of the work force. A minuscule amount of the wealth is
being distributed to the immense portion of farmers, most likely due to their lack of economic value and
abundance of people in the employment. In other words, the wealth is only going to a third of the
population, while the farmers, which consist of half of the population, continue to suffer from poverty
(The World Factbook).
If UNEP formed the perfect plan to eliminate rural poverty in India, it would consist of
redistributing the work force. India’s economy no longer survives on agriculture, so India should no
longer put an emphasis on agricultural work. By providing different opportunities of work to the
residents of India many would be able to escape rural poverty. Much of the farmers have no other choice
in their profession and are forced to stay in a dying field. Opportunities are the key to success and would
solve issues of poverty and even improve the nation’s overall economy. Even those who choose to deny
the opportunities and stay would be better off due to lesser amount of competition in the field. Rural
poverty is an issue that is in need of fixing around the world and especially in India. With the creation of
a program that suited the needs of many trapped in poverty, the overall environment and lives of the
residents of India will be substantially improved.
Works Cited
The World Factbook 2013-14. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.
<https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>.
UNEP Topic B
Iran
Hydraulic Fracturing, otherwise known as “fracking,” is a technique used by countries
around the world since 1940 to produce and manufacture oil and natural gases which are the
dominant sources of energy. Hydraulic Fracturing is a process of injecting under high-pressure of
a fluid at a certain depth by drilling down into sedimentary rocks and releasing millions of
gallons of water, sand, and chemicals. With this process the shale gas that is trapped within thin
layers between the rocks allows the gas and oil to flow. Primarily oil companies in Iran are
beginning to experiment and practice it in their oil fields. But, Iran’s oil production has been
having difficulty finding buyers therefore hurting Iran’s economy. Also, hydraulic fracturing has
a fair share of environmental risks associated with the “fracking” process that Iran should not be
willing to jeopardize. Predominantly the effect hydraulic fracturing has on water. For example,
diverting water from other important uses and recent cases of leaks or spills into freshwater
aquifers. Iran would still derive oil and gases from the ground, but would like funds from other
countries to research and experiment other natural, less harmful options to acquire oil and gases
from the ground to sell to other countries. Together, the Hydraulic fracturing technology has
been used in the oil and natural gas industry since the 1940’s.
With the current discussion of the United Nations Environment Programme recognizing,
“Having devoted attention to the knowledge that hydraulic fracturing, the process of injecting
toxic chemicals into the ground at high pressure, can be bad for the environment and pollute
water,” solutions by the UNEP included, “Advocates research of the development to tap into
fossil reservoirs, developing better hand held personal filters amongst other technologies;” and
“Recommending the regulation of hydraulic fracturing and other processes that chemically
contaminate and pollute water.” The Environment Programme also realizes, “the U.S. Energy
Information Agency (EIA) reports that over 750 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable
shale gas and 24 billion barrels of technically recoverable shale oil resources currently exist in
discovered shale plays.” When developing this types of resource, Iran can see an opportunity of
more job offers available to one. Iran can also earn the opportunity for faster growth following a
lower trade shortage. Also, in the article, “Selection of Hydraulic Fracturing Candidates in
Iranian Carbonate Oil Fields: A Local Computerised Screening of Zone and Well Data,” by
Abolfazl Hashemi, Seyed Reza Shadizadeh, and Mansoor Zoveidavianpoor in the article,
“Although Hydraulic Fracturing operation has more than 60 years of history and every day
hundreds of treatment is performed around the globe, however, still there is not any report of
successful Hydraulic Fracturing operation in Iran.” With these test the Iranian government can
obtain funds for alternate procedures for extracting oil and natural gasses in a more
environmentally friendly manner.
UNEP Topic B
Together, Iran can have major health problems for the people if “fracking” transmits
negatively. Also it can impact biodiversity in ways of, land clearance, food supply (through
competition of water resources) as well as soil in cases of pollution. Accordingly, these factors
may impact healthy environments tremendously. Together, these problems can be avoided if this
technology is extracted properly.
UNEP Topic B
Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is committed to reduce poverty by working with several
organizations around the globe. Russian Federation heavily vested to meet one of the
millennium goals of cutting the poverty into half by 2015. Russia succeeded in cutting poverty
in half between 2000 and 2010, from 29.0 percent in 2000 to 14.0 percent in 2010. Most the
reducing the poverty directly contributed from Russian rural areas.
Following the 1998 financial crisis, a steep drop in consumption occurred across all
income groups. This drop was even greater for the poor. In 1999, due to the collapse in incomes
and jump in inequality, poverty levels reached an all time high for the transition period. Four
out of every ten people slipped into poverty, not being able to meet nutritional and other basic
need. The economic rebound after the crisis was both impressive and broad-based--albeit
uneven--across both sectors and regions. This increased the demand for labor and led to
significant wage increases, reduced unemployment, and increased hours of work. In the first
seven years since the millennium Russia saw rapid growth of real per capita incomes which
outpaced growth of GDP. Real personal incomes in 2007 had grown by 2.7 times, real wages by
2.6 times, and real pensions by 1.7 times compared with 2000, while growth of GDP in the
same period was only 1.6 times. The global financial crisis, which hit Russia in the middle of
2008, has cut growth of average per capita incomes. By December 2008, real average per capita
incomes had declined to 88.4% of their level in the previous December. In 2009 the market
situation and measures taken by the Russian Government as part of its anti-crisis program
stopped the dramatic fall of average per capita incomes, despite significant drop of industrial
production and GDP. In December 2009 real per capita incomes were 101.9% of the December
2008 level. The social support component of the Government’s anti-crisis program was the next
step in the National Poverty Reduction Strategy. Steps in 2009 were as follows-Doubling of the
minimal wage in January 2009; Increasing the maximum unemployment benefit by 1.5 times;
Increasing wages of employees in the budget-funded sector; Several pension increases;
Increasing several social allowances through indexation and Additional measures to reduce
labor market tension in some administrative regions of the Russian Federation.
UNEP Topic B
The rural poverty analysis was conducted over the past two years by Russian and
international experts in the framework of the first stage of the program on “enhancing the
measurement, monitoring, and analysis of poverty” - a collaborative project by the World Bank,
the United Kingdom Department for International Development, and the Russian government
team comprising the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Goskomstat, the Ministry
of Economic Development and Trade, and the Ministry of Finance. The Russian Federation has
started reforming sectoral policies for poverty alleviation. Such programs include improving the
targeting of social transfers; reforming housing and utility services and protection of poor;
offering education to the poor; healthcare modifications and database poverty monitoring. The
Russian Federation condemns the recent sanctions which are hitting hard on the growth of the
country and directly effecting the the goals of decreasing the poverty in the rural area. We
would like immediate action to end to these sanctions.
UNEP Topic B
Pakistan
Hydraulic fracturing is caused by introducing liquid at high pressure resulting in a
forced opening in subterranean rocks. The major liquids normally involved include extract oil or
gas. The current technology known as hydraulic fracturing developed a oil and gas revolution
causing supplies to increase and gas prices to decrease. Some hydraulic fractures can form
naturally due to the exception of certain veins or embankments already embedded throughout
the ground. The process is highly controversial since it began as just as an experiment in 1947.
In 1949, the first well-prepared and successful application was done. However, there are
certain components in hydraulic fracturing that are a concern for the environmental impact it
has. With Pakistan’s already unstable climate and defenseless energy uses to natural
occurances, this activity causes even more disturbances to the countries environment.
Responsibilities for the negative outcomes of hydraulic fracturing include contamination of
ground water, exhaustion of fresh water, natural disasters (most of them being earthquakes),
degradation of air quality, pollution, and other health and environment repurcussions. This
stimulation process is often used in Pakistan, given the consequences provided, because it
benefits the amount of natural resources Pakistan has to supply to its own country and other
countries as well. Hydraulic fracturing is used to maximize the extraction of underground
resources. These incorporate oil, natural gas, geothermal energy, and even water. The oil and
gas industry uses hydraulic fracturing to enhance subsurface fracture systems to allow oil or
natural gas to move more freely from the rock pores to production wells that bring the oil or
gas to the surface. Pakistan is financially provided with huge deposits of both 105 trillion cubic
feet of shale gas and at least 33 trillion cubic feet of tight gas. In addition, Pakistan is also
UNEP Topic B
benefited with 9.1 billion barrels of shale oil which is also extracted in a similar way as to the
gas. As of 2012, 2.5 million hydraulic fracturing procedures had been executed worldwide on oil
and gas wells.
UNEP Topic B
France
Environmental research involving the use of fossil fuels and nonrenewable resources is rapidly
growing as countries around the world face ongoing problems involving the deterioration of the
environment. In 2009, environmental studies claimed up to one half of plant and animal species on dry
land could face extinction by the year 2050. By 2010, over ten thousand tons of methane and nitrous
oxide emissions were dissipating throughout the atmosphere as the world grew rapidly in industry and
technology. These emissions were created as more and more countries partook in the use of fossil fuels,
natural gases, and imminent nonrenewable resources. As concerning scientists and biological
researchers noticed the increasing amounts of air and water pollution, new procedures and practices
were desperately needed. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, was developed in order to harness
unconventional gases found deep below the surface of the ground. After a drilled hole has been
completed, a fluid primarily composed of water, sand, and chemicals are injected to penetrate the shale
and coal beds deep under the surface. The fluid breaks apart nonpermeable rock layers in order to
harness natural gas and after performing this operation, 30%-50% of the fluid is recovered from the
ground. The United Nations are divided on this controversial topic, mainly because only developed
countries can partake in this process. Advanced technology and methods are used create the fluid used
in this method, to drill the holes, and to supply proper cement and metals in order to create a casing
around the tube which is injected into the ground. Many agree fracking is a cleaner energy source when
comparing it to other methods involving natural gas, but is ultimately considered harmful for the
environment as it involves the breaking of rock layers and the continuation of the use of natural gas.
Countries of the UN must decided if the use of fracking will benefit or hinder environmental progress.
Since 2011, the country of France wholeheartedly disagrees with the use of hydraulic fracturing.
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy and current President Francois Hollande prohibit the use of fracking in
France even though France could possibly benefit from this idea economically. However, their
UNEP Topic B
reasoning for this ban continues to persuade french citizens to disapprove of this idea as well. President
Francois Hollande explains the harmful effects of fracking as it destroys critical rock layers and results in
harmful chemicals in the ground, which remain present even after the fracking process is over. Some
suggest the use of the non-flammable chemical propane, as it is cheaper and is part of the fracking
process. However, France’s Socialist and Green Part vehemently oppose this as they disapprove of the
whole concept of fracking. Both parties believe it is extremely important to restrain the country from
using natural gases and coal. As strong believers in the value of nature and the importance of clean
water, the use of natural gas leads to high amounts of pollution in both the air and water sources.
Although the fracking process has been proven to be environmentally friendly as compared to other
ways of obtaining natural gas, it can lead to pools of chemicals deep below the surface that can
eventually cause earthquakes as two rock layers slide past each other. Ultimately, France does not
support fracking as they do not support the use of fossil fuels or natural gas and wish to break the
dependence on these energy sources.
Unlike many nations involved in the UN, France has established it’s intolerance for pollution
producing fossil fuels and natural gases. Instead, France has taken a different approach involving both
renewable fuels and the use of nuclear energy. Their environmental policy recognizes precautionary
principles and endorses new energy efficient means for the environment. Multiyear Sectoral Estimates
Act of 13 July 2005 safeguards human health and environmental protection by advocating new
environmental practices which use solar, wind, and primarily nuclear energy. Nuclear energy produces
over 70% of all of France’s energy and has lowered nitrogen and sulfur pollutants by over 30% in the last
twenty years. France’s adherence to solar and wind energy has proved to be beneficial but receives a
large part of their energy through hydropower methods. However, they do so with consideration to the
natural beauty of the many rivers found in France. They have passed a water policy stating the
protected forests and rivers and how water quality and organisms living in it will be protected. Finally,
UNEP Topic B
France advocates for the use of nuclear energy as it has proven to be extremely beneficial. France also
believes in ceasing worldwide dependency on fossil fuels and natural gases. Methods involving solar,
wind, and hydropower can be easily accessible for many countries with the right technology and
resources. Finally, through these methods, the world can restrain itself from nonrenewable resources as
well as help the environment.
Works Cited
"Encyclopedia of the Nations." Environment. Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
"France Has Chosen the Path of Environmental Exemplarity." France Diplomatie. French Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Development, 12 June 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
"France Has Chosen the Path of Environmental Exemplarity." France Diplomatie. UN News Central, 2014.
Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
UNEP Topic B
Poland
Since 1949, when hydraulic fracturing was first used near Duncan Oklahoma, it has
become an extremely common way to extract gas and oil. It is an extremely easy and cheap way
to get these high demand resources, but it comes with many negative effects. These unfavorable
effects include the billions of gallons of water used, the toxic chemicals included in the large
quantities of water, the health issues caused by the mixing of the chemical water with human
drinking sources, and the surface water, soil, and groundwater contamination. This method of oil
drilling is one that is hazardous to the Earth and to human health and needs to be addressed.
The Republic of Poland maintains an adversarial stance to the practice of hydraulic
fracturing. Though Poland’s regulation of the exploration of shale gas has been delayed due the
firing of Polish Environment Minister, Poland would like to limit and regulate hydraulic
fracturing to make it safer for the public and less harmful to our soil and water sources.
The Republic of Poland wants the UN to regulate hydraulic fracturing by limiting its use
to inhabited to low population areas, have multiple examiners sent to sites where it is used to
make sure that the additives that are being added the water are non-toxic, and send safety
information to all living near the site. Hopefully, the Republic of Poland will be able to reach a
compromise with the other members of UNEP to solve this ever growing issue.
UNEP Topic B
Slovakia
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the injecting of chemicals into shale to release fossil
fuels. It is highly controversial because it causes damage to the water supply of the surrounding
communities and depletes fresh water. It also causes earthquakes in some cases, lowers air
quality, and creates noise and surface pollution. Proponents of fracking argue that the process is
more economical than traditional methods for obtaining fossil fuels. A few countries have
allowed fracking, while some have passed bills for moratorium, the temporary prohibition of an
activity. The United Nations has not yet intervened extensively with regards to fracking,
allowing countries to tackle the issue individually. The UN will soon be negotiating once more
about climate change, and hopes to include fracking as a focus in these negotiations. It is hoped
that this issue can be resolved by the UN during the negotiations.
Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial issue discussed in the UN. The delegation of
Slovakia is for hydraulic fracturing, and feels that it is a good source of energy that does not
harm the environment. Slovakia also feels that the laws and regulations on hydraulic fracturing
are excessive and is trying to loosen and abolish of some of the laws. Slovakia and several other
European countries including Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the UK, and the Czech
Republic all feel this way towards hydraulic fracturing. Also, Slovakia has sent letters to the
United States asking for expeditious approval of gas exports. Lastly, the 172 fracking companies
in Slovakia prove that fracking is a prominent industry with major economical gains. This is
where Slovakia stands on the issue of fracking.
At the next international conference, Slovakia hopes to create a new set of laws involving
hydraulic fracturing that will make it more prominent around the world. Slovakia will do this by
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explaining the economic gains of hydraulic fracturing. Slovakia hopes too achieve this goal at
the next conference.
UNEP Topic B