The Oil Industry
The group represents companies which extract oil and
gas, as well as companies that deliver the equipment and
services to this industry.
Worth knowing about the oil industry:
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Oil and gas creates wealth. In many countries, revenue from oil and gas contributes to better
healthcare, education, kinder gardens and cultural facilities.
In addition to creating revenue, the production of oil and gas creates a lot of jobs.
In the US, for instance, more than 9 million people work in the oil and gas industry. Thus the
industry represents a whole 7.5% of the US economy
Source: The National Association of the Oil Industry (Norway), Api.org
Examples of names:
 Fernando Roca
 Wang Feng
 Liz Harrisen
 Sandile Ajanios
 Abhijeet Ghosh
 Rose Shen
The oil industry’s role in the climate summit:
The oil industry does not have a vote at the summit – their job is
to present their arguments so well that they can convince
countries who do have a vote, to vote in favour of what the oil
industry wants. This is called lobbying.
lobbying: to influence others (a politician or public official) on
an issue so they will consider your wishes when they negotiate
Negotiation tips:
A priority for the world should be to reduce poverty and ensure a worthy existence for all. To bring
people out of poverty, you need fossil fuels. A climate agreement that reduces the use of fossil
energy will thus have a negative effect on the standard of living – especially in the vulnerable poor
countries that desperately need to develop.
There is no need to stop the extraction of oil and gas. Future technology will make the emissions so
small, that they won’t cause any problems. You are skeptical about focusing so intensely on the
climate challenges.
Developed by the Norwegian Board of Technology
www.klimamote.no
Supported by Klimaløftet/ the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment
Climate change in the classroom
The oil industry is a group that represents business
interests in the oil and gas industry.
PREPARATION FOR THE CLIMATE SUMMIT
Answer the questions below as part of your preparations for the climate summit.
A. Pick a name
On the previous page you will find a list of typical names to choose from. Every member of the
delegation must pick a name and use it during the negotiations.
B. consider the four issues up for negotiation
Consider each of the four issues below and form arguments to present during the negotiations.
1) Industrial countries should, according to the UN, reduce their CO2 emissions with 50-85%
before 2050 to reduce the rise in temperature to a maximum of 2°C. In your opinion, by how
much should the industrial countries reduce their CO2 emissions before 2050?
More than 85%
Between 50-85%
Less than 50%
There should not be any requirement to lower the emission
2) Emerging countries have a much lower rate of CO2 emissions per capita than the industrial
countries. However, as some of the emerging countries are so large, their emissions are still
substantial and they represent a big part of the rise in the global CO2 emissions. Which
requirements should these emerging countries meet?
They should reduce the CO2 emissions with the same percentage as the industrial
countries
They should have limits on their emissions in the same way as the industrial countries,
but not as strict limits
They should not have to meet any requirements about reducing CO 2 emissions
3) Developing countries have low emissions of greenhouse gasses. Most developing
countries want economic growth. This involves increased use of energy which most often leads
to an increase in the emission of greenhouse gasses. How should these countries participate in
a solution?
They should have limits for their emissions, but not as sharp limits as the industrial and
emerging countries
They should have limits for their emissions, but only if the rich countries give monetary
contributions to reduce emissions
They should not have to meet any requirements to reduce emissions
4) Technology that produces clean energy or that cleans up industrial emissions is very
important for curbing emissions. Such technology is often called “green” technology, and is
primarily produced in industrialised countries. Poor countries do not have the money to develop
nor to buy the green technology needed for cutting emissions. How can we make sure that
these countries get access to green technology?
 Every country is responsible for acquiring the green technology that they need – thus
there is no need to include this in the climate agreement.
 Industrialised countries should commit to share or finance green technology in middleincome and developing countries.
 Industrialised countries should commit to share or finance green technology in
developing countries.
C. Prepare an appeal
Prepare an appeal for question 1. An appeal is a short speech in which you inform the other
countries what is important for your country/organisation. The appeal cannot be longer than 2
minutes and must contain the following:
 Which of the four scenarios does your country/organisation believe is the right one?
 Why? Give three reasons why the other countries should vote for your preferred
scenario.
Developed by the Norwegian Board of Technology
www.klimamote.no
Supported by Klimaløftet/ the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment