Hello Delegates!
My name is Katherine Cherry, I am the Chief of Staff for the UGA Model United Nations team,
and it is my pleasure to serve as your Committee Director for the United Nations Environmental
Programme (UNEP) at UGAMUNC XVII. I am a senior at the university from Chattanooga,
Tennessee, double-majoring in International Affairs and English. My academic interests include
the international political economy, public diplomacy, post-modernist literature, and corporate
responsibility and sustainability. My hobbies outside of the classroom include cooking, running,
and fly fishing. This is my third year on the UGA Model United Nations team in addition to four
years on my high school Model UN team.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have David Liddle as my Assistant Director for
UNEP. David is a junior at UGA and this is his second year on the Model United Nations
team. David is a proud Canadian citizen, yet has called the town of Athens, Georgia home for
four years. David is majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His academic interests
include anything health related and he enjoys running and hanging out with friends outside of the
classroom.
I am very excited to be chairing for the third time at UGAMUNC and I am optimistic that this
year’s conference will be the best to date. In light of increased global interest in environmental
issues and politics, David and I are excited to reintroduce the UNEP committee at UGAMUNC
and are dedicated to running this committee as effectively as possible. As always, we encourage
our delegates to come prepared to our conference having acquainted themselves with the
background guide in addition to the suggested readings and to actively participate throughout the
committee sessions in order to create dynamic resolutions.
Sincerely,
Katherine Cherry
Chief of Staff, UGAMUN
Director, UNEP
Katherine.L.Cherry@gmail.com
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Overview of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at
the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental
policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues
to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The mandate and
objectives of UNEP emanate from:
• UN General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972;
• Agenda 21, adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth
Summit) in 1992;
• The Nairobi Declaration on the Role and Mandate of UNEP, adopted by the UNEP
Governing Council in 1997;
• The Malmö Ministerial Declaration and the UN Millennium Declaration, adopted in
2000;
• Recommendations related to international environmental governance approved by the
2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and the 2005 World Summit.
It will be important for delegates to familiarize themselves with these milestone documents in
order to demonstrate a heightened level of literacy and understanding during committee.1
UNEP’s responsibilities include promoting international cooperation in the field of the
environment and recommending appropriate policies; monitoring the status of the global
environment and gathering and disseminating environmental information; catalyzing
environmental awareness and action to address major environmental threats among governments,
the private sector and civil society; facilitating the coordination of UN activities on matters
concerned with the environment, and ensuring, through cooperation, liaison and participation,
that their activities take environmental considerations into account; developing regional
programs for environmental sustainability; helping, upon request, environment ministries and
other environmental authorities, in particular in developing countries and countries with
economies in transition, to formulate and implement environmental policies; providing countrylevel environmental capacity building and technology support; and helping to develop
international environmental law, and providing expert advice on the development and use of
environmental concepts and instruments.2
Topic I: Environmental Impact of the United Nations Global Compact
Background of the UN Global Compact
Launched in July 2000, the UN Global Compact is a both a policy platform and a practical
framework for companies committed to sustainability and responsible business practices.
Through a wide spectrum of specialized work streams, management tools, resources, and topical
1
2
http://www.unep.org/PDF/UNEPOrganizationProfile.pdf
http://www.unep.org/PDF/UNEPOrganizationProfile.pdf
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programs, the UN Global Compact aims to advance two complementary objectives: first, to
mainstream its ten principles in business activities around the world and second, to catalyze
actions in support of broader UN goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.3 As a
leadership initiative endorsed by chief executives, it seeks to align business operations and
strategies everywhere with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights,
labor, environment and anti-corruption. For the concern of this
committee, we will be focusing on the following three environmental
principles for businesses:



Principle 7: Support a precautionary approach to environmental
challenges;4
Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater
environmental responsibility;5
Principle 9: Encourage the development and diffusion of
environmentally friendly technologies.6
The UN Global Compact is not a regulatory instrument, but rather a voluntary initiative that
relies on public accountability, transparency and disclosure to complement regulation and to
provide a space for innovation. Part of this commitment to transparency is the policy known as
the Communication on Progress (COP), an annual posting of member companies’ progress
towards fulfilling the goals of the Global Compact. The UN Global Compact requires
participating companies to follow this policy as a commitment to transparency and disclosure is
critical to the success of the initiative. A company’s failure to communicate its results can result
in a change in a participant’s membership status and possible delisting.7
Current Environmental Issues Faced by the UN Global Compact
Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR) Reporting– Increasingly, consumers demand
that their patron companies not only increase shareholder value but also decrease their
environmental impact. This push is especially prevalent in the Fast
Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) markets, where companies
market to an increasingly health and environmentally conscious
consumer base. As the green demand rises, it is becoming of increased
importance for the business community supply to respond. One of the
best ways for companies to address this consumer and shareholder
demand is to incorporate Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility
into their business platforms. Many companies, such as Coca-Cola
and General Electric, produce outstanding annual Corporate
Sustainability and Responsibility Reports in addition to their Annual
Fiscal Year Reports. However, such companies are usually the
exception to the rule, and for many, the quality of reporting and
3
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/aboutthegc/index.html
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/principle7.html
5
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/principle8.html
6
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/principle9.html
7
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/COP/communicating_progress.html
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transparency is highly questionable. In some companies, CSR is seen as a Public Relations
campaign and their transparency is only skin deep. Many companies stamp a green sticker on
their goods and services, while hypocritically doing little to address their Environmental Bottom
Line, meaning that in addition to maintaining their Fiscal Bottom Line and avoiding debt, the
company is as equally aware of maintaining their Environmental Bottom Line by avoiding
environmental debt through minimal impact sustainable business practices.8 The impact of such
hypocritical business practices can be huge. By saying one thing and doing another, some
companies are unknowingly keeping the environmentally conscious consumer on a path of
environmental degradation.
Industry and Climate Change – In order for the world’s corporations to continue to meet
society’s demand for their goods and services, energy use in production is an unavoidable
necessity. Historically, corporations were not the best stewards of the planet, using vast amount
of fossil fuels and harmful chemicals for production and transportation and thus polluting the air
environment. For example, in the past, companies’ use of chemicals such
as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) caused
significant damage to the ozone layer.9 The majority of companies’ energy
expenditures can be traced back to their supply chains. Overall,
transportation of goods expends vast amounts of energy and is the largest
contributor to companies’ overall carbon footprints. Companies grapple
with the real issue of meeting consumer demands and going to market
while simultaneously controlling their carbon and chemical emissions in order to help stem
global climate change. Some companies have active partnerships with entities such as the Carbon
Trust that measure the carbon footprints of their products and overall industry.10 While this is a
very positive first step, the greatest challenge is actually responding to these statistics and
systematically reducing energy, chemical, and carbon expenditures in business operations.
Corporate Water Policies and Practices – Many industries are dependent upon the use of water,
both in production and in their physical goods. Like energy, water is many times a necessary and
irreplaceable component in some products. However, the challenge for the UN Global Compact
is to identify those areas where companies can feasibly cut back or eliminate water use.
Science’s progression in water saving technology for business is astounding. The use of gray
water, water free dry lubricant supply lines, and water reclamation units all help companies cut
back on water usage.11 However, despite the technological progress made, many companies do
not feel the need to invest in the upfront cost of implementing such measures because, relatively
speaking, water is still such a low cost commodity as compared to oil and other raw materials.
Criticisms of the UN Global Compact
Many criticisms of the UN Global Compact revolve around its lack of enforceability and its
ineffectiveness in pushing companies to actually adopt its transparency recommendations and ten
8
http://www.getsustainable.net/
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/defns.html
10
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx
11
http://www.greenbiz.com/business/research/report/2002/08/02/water-conservation
9
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principles. The signatories of the UN Global Compact are members of an elite group of
multinational corporations. Considering that the 500 largest multinational corporations control
roughly 50% of gross world product, the UN Global Compact is taking on arguably the most
powerful collective group in the global economy today.12 Critics also believe that it is not the
UN’s role to create a round table setting for these companies, but rather, to set standards and
mandate regulations for these companies to follow. If the UN Global Compact is unsuccessful in
causing a real impact on the global business community’s sustainability efforts the coalition will
risk losing legitimacy and being seen as a large scale Public Relations charade.
In this committee, member states have the task of systematically analyzing and creating solutions
for a more effective UN Global Compact. The challenges for this committee include addressing
strengths and weaknesses in the current structure, by laws, and impact of the UN Global
Compact. This will require an in depth analysis of the Compact itself, as well as research on its
member companies sustainability efforts. Additionally, this committee should compose a list of
recommendations for innovatively addressing the three key issues mentioned above, as well as
any other environmental issues committee members feel are important for the global business
community. Finally, the committee should draw a conclusion on how to better encourage
adherence to the UN Global Compact and address criticisms of the group.
Questions to Consider:
1. Is the structure of the UN Compact effective? Why or why not? If not, what can be done
to improve the structure of the body?
2. Does your country have any companies that are members of the UN Global Compact? If
so, how would you evaluate their sustainability efforts? If not, what companies in your
country would be eligible for membership and how will you encourage them to join?
More generally, how can your country encourage better environmental business
practices?
3. How should the UN Global Compact more effectively address the issue of transparency
and CSR reporting?
4. Do you think the round table strategy is effective for addressing the business
community’s impact on the environment? Why or why not? If not, what do you suggest
as an alternate strategy?
Suggested Reading



12
Greenbiz.com
o This comprehensive environmental business news website is a great resource for
up to date news and information on sustainable businesses and practices.
The Triple Bottom Line by Andrew W. Savitz
o This text provides practical and innovative strategy for incorporating
sustainability into a company’s overall business strategy.
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/index.html
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14549
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o The homepage for the UN Global Compact
o Please familiarize yourself with the breadth of current news, bylaws, and data
available on the UN Global Compact available on this website.
Topic II: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
The World Health Organization defines Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as “organisms
in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally.”1
Biotechnology has made it possible for genes to be transferred between unrelated organisms, and
this has allowed scientists to selectively induce desired traits in plants and animals.
The new biotechnology offers many benefits to modern society and also shows great potential
for the future. The first GMO designed with to benefit humans was a modified E. coli strain of
bacteria. Scientists first introduced that bacterium in 1978 to produce mass quantities of the
purified human protein insulin to combat Type 1 diabetes. This sparked the use of bacteria to
grow other human proteins necessary for medical treatment.2 Gene therapy also shows promise
as a medical treatment. Gene therapy involves using a genetically modified virus to inject disease
curing DNA into human cells. The technology is not fully developed, but it has been speculated
that gene therapy will provide a cure for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and muscular
dystrophy.3
The agricultural industry also employs the use of genetic engineering. Currently, all genetically
modified foods on the international market have been modified to increase crop production yield.
All GM foods grow from seeds that contain a combination of three traits: resistance to insect
damage; resistance to viral infections; and tolerance towards certain herbicides. Not only do
these genes increase crop yields, but a 2010 study by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences
reported that GM foods lowered the overall usage of pesticides and reduced soil erosion caused
by tilling. In addition a 2008 review published by the Royal Society of Medicine explained that
GM foods have been eaten by millions of people for 15 years worldwide and no negative side
effects have been found.
At this point, no plants on the market are genetically modified for nutrition, taste, etc., but this is
expected to change within the next three years. Golden Rice, a strain of rice that has been
genetically modified to contain high amounts of Vitamin A, is expected to hit the market by
2012. The rice aims to reduce vitamin A deficiencies in developing countries and improve eye
health.4 Similar food products modified to provide health benefits are expected to become
prevalent before the end of this decade.
While genetically modified organisms offer many benefits, many criticize them for their
potential to harm the environment5. A Science article published in 2000 states: A review of the
existing scientific literature reveals that key experiments on both the environmental risks and
benefits [of GM foods] are lacking. The complexity of ecological systems presents considerable
challenges for experiments to assess the risks and benefits and inevitable uncertainties of
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genetically engineered plants. Collectively, existing studies emphasize that these can vary
spatially, temporally, and according to the trait and cultivar modified.
Potential environmental effects of GM foods include the direct effects on organisms that feed on
them. This could cause eliminate beneficial insects and generate new plant pathogens.1 The GM
plants could also have indirect effects on the food chain. This has the potential to disturb many
natural ecological systems and have significant consequences. GM crops are also criticized for
spreading resistance genes to wild plant populations. A 2010 study conducted at the University
of Arkansas showed that eight-three percent of wild canola contain a genetically modified
herbicide resistance gene6. Therefore inserted genes from GM crops are spreading to wild
populations, despite efforts to physically separate GM crops from wild populations. Furthermore,
critics state that the reliance on specific GM seeds results in reduced genetic diversity of crops.
This is significant because a single disease could potentially wipe out the world food supply.
GM foods are also criticized for having adverse effects on human health. The three main
concerns about GM crops are there tendency to provoke allergic reactions, gene transfer, and
outcrossing1. Inserting new genes in wild crops could cause allergic reactions to the new genes.
Critics believe that this may account for the rise of allergies in developed countries since the
early nineties. Gene transfer refers to the transfer of the modified genes to cells of the body.
Many bacteria live in the gastrointestinal tract of all humans and they are important for digestion
and the production of essential vitamins. Bacteria are well known for their ability to take up new
genes through the process of transformation1. The uptake of anti-biotic genes during digestion
could cause an unhealthy increase in the number of bacteria. Finally, outcrossing is the transfer
of genes from GM crops to wild populations. This is a real risk and it was shown that GM maize
modified for use as livestock feed had spread into the maize products consumed by humans7.
One of the industry leaders in producing both herbicides and genetically engineered plants is the
Monsanto Company based in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Monsanto provides ninety percent of the
world’s genetically engineered seeds and also sells the popular herbicide Roundup. Monsanto’s
seeds contain an added gene for herbicide (Roundup) resistance and this allows farmers to spray
their fields without killing the crops. The Roundup-Ready technology eliminates weeds from
farmers’ fields. This makes farming more productive
and reduces pesticide usage.8
Monsanto, a large food corporation, is controversial
in the way it conducts business and is criticized by
environmental activists and the alter-globalization
movement. Monsanto was involved with dumping
waste (PCBs) in the United Kingdom, hiding
research about the health risks of rBGH/bovine
growth hormone (a synthetic hormone injected into
cows to increase milk production), employing child
labor, and suing local farmers for seed patent
violations.9 They have also been called out for
having a monopoly in the seed market and charging
farmers absurdly high prices. The Agreement on
Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) protects Monsanto’s products
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internationally and doesn’t allow other countries to produce generic products. The company’s
business methods are criticized in the popular documentary’s “The Corporation” and “The World
According to Monsanto.”
In the United States, genetically modified
foods experienced rapid growth since their
introduction in early 1990s. Soy beans,
cotton, and maize are most prevalent. More
than half of these vegetables sold in grocery
stores are grown from genetically modified
seeds.10 The chart to the right documents the
percentage shift since 1996.
The European Union GM food market lags
behind the United States market. European
consumers are skeptical of the benefits
provided by the new technology as a result of
multiple food scarcities in the latter half of the
1990s.1 These events created doubt about the
validity of risk assessments with regard the
GM impact on human health and the
environment. Consumers have also become
increasingly suspicious about the relationship between allerginicity and anti-biotic resistance.
The consumer attitudes in Europe have led to mandatory labeling of all GM food products,
allowing the consumers to make informed choices.11 Labeling is not required in the US.
In other areas of the world, countries differ in their attitudes toward food. Often times, food is
viewed as more than just a nutrition source and has historical or societal connotations. In some
countries food also involves religious beliefs.1 Differences in beliefs cause different attitudes
towards the GMO industry and international trade of GM products. International acceptance of
GM products has become a controversial issue as highlighted by the 2002 famine in Southern
Africa. Despite a starving population, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe all rejected US food
aid on the basis that it was genetically modified. While workable solutions have been found,
some countries still restrict GM food aid.12 Additionally, many developing countries struggling
to produce enough food to feed their population are unwilling to use GM seeds to increase
production.
The future of genetically modified organisms is largely in the hands of the international bodies
currently addressing the issue. Genetic engineering is growing rapidly and the major
biotechnology company, Monsanto, is leading the industry with little scrutiny from the
international community. The reputations of biotechnology giants like Monsanto make
unregulated expansion extremely dangerous. It is the responsibility of the United Nations
Environmental Program to take charge over the GM industry and assess the risks and benefits of
genetic engineering. The UNEP will develop a plan to regulate the expansion of the industry and
will address the issues of plant diversity, the health of local ecological systems, economic
stability of farmers, social and religious beliefs of countries, and the protection of human health.
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A successful plan will ensure that the international community is able to benefit from this new
technology without any destructive consequences.
Questions to Consider:
1. What is my country’s stance on the use/production of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs)?
2. What are the economic and environmental effects of unregulated expansion of the
biotechnology industry in your country?
3. What safety measures/tests should be put in place to ensure the health of eating GMOs?
4. How can countries benefit from biotechnology, but minimize the environmental,
economic and health risks?
Suggested Readings:
 http://www.fao.org/biotech/C9doc.htm
o Background on GMOs
 http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/en/20questions_en.pdf
o 20 important questions explaining what GMOs are and the controversies that
surround them
 http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol16no4/164food2.htm
o Controversy over UN food aid
 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=9909&Cr=Health&Cr1=GMOs
o Overview on new UN policy for international GMO trading
 http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/newsroom/wfp076534.pdf
o UN statement on the use of food aid in Southern Africa
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
“20 questions on genetically modified foods”.
<http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/en/20questions_en.pdf>
"The insulin synthesis is the first laboratory production DNA
technology"
<http://www.gene.com/gene/news/press-releases/display.do?method=detail&id=4160>
“Gene Therapy in Clinical Medicine”
<http://pmj.bmj.com/content/80/948/560.long>
Enserink, M. 2008. Tough Lessons From Golden Rice. Science, 230,
468-471.
The Ecological Risks and Benefits of Genetically Engineered Plants.
<http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/5499/2088>
“First Wild Canola Plants With Modified Genes Found in United States”
<http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/.html>
7. New Zealand: Accidental contamination of maizehttp://www.grain.org/research/contamination.cfm?id=104
8. Monsanto Website: <http://www.monsanto.com/Pages/default.aspx>
9. The World According to Monsanto from Google Video
10. “Rapid growth in the adoption of genetically engineered crops continues in the US”.
<http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/>
11. “GM Food and Feed – Labeling” <http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/gmfood/labelling_en.htm>
12. “Controversy rages over 'GM' food aid”<http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol16no4/164food2.htm>
6.
Topic II: Water Scarcity
Background
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If there is one issue that will affect this generation in more ways than any other, it is undeniably
water. Water is essential for life. It is the reason that this planet is able to facilitate such a diverse
population of living species and it performs many required functions.1 It is used directly by our
bodies to provide a medium for chemical reactions, and it supports our bodies/lifestyles by
providing hygiene, agriculture, energy, transportation, and recreation. Water makes up nearly 70
percent of the earth’s surface area, but only about 2.5 percent of it is fresh water suitable for
drinking. Sadly, this percentage is declining due to pollution and climate shift.2
Increasing populations and urban development will continue to increase water demand, but the
constant water supply is unable to expand to meet these changes. The resulting large water
scarcity is projected to make water extremely valuable. Sociologist Michael Goldman has argued
that “that private water will soon be a capitalized market as precious, and as war-provoking, as
oil.”3
Current Situation & Initiatives
Today, one out of five people in the world (1.2 billion people) do not have access to safe
drinking water. One in three people lack enough water to meet daily needs. Without adequate
fresh water humans suffer. Every year, millions of people, mostly children, die from drinking
contaminated water carrying diseases, inadequate hygiene, and poor removal of sanitation.3
Droughts, Tsunamis and hurricanes threaten many countries food supply, energy source and
economies. Water is a critical resource for sustainable development and nearly every developed
country in the world today has achieved its success through the utilization of water.2
The world is waking up to the importance of the water and sanitation crisis. At the United
Nations Millennium Summit in September of 2000, the body of world leaders set eight
international development goals aimed to improve social and economic conditions to the worlds’
poorest countries. The goals were time-bound and set to be achieved by 2015. Goal seven was
broadly defined as “to ensure environmental sustainability.” The goal more specifically targeted
to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic
sanitation. Later in 2002 at the Johannesburg World Summit for Sustainable Development
addressing the water scarcity was recognized as important for achieving all of the Millennium
Development Goals.6
The Millennium Development Goals do not offer any specific recommendations for fixing the
water crisis, but they acknowledge the importance of developing national and local water
resource strategies to promote equitable access to water.5 Multilateral cooperation is an
important consideration when developing these plans. Cooperation allows the sharing of
knowledge is effective method for sharing information. There are several models that
demonstrate how this strategy can be effective.
The World Bank created a partnership between nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the
private sector to create a sustainable water management policy that was environmentally stable.
The plan emphasized collaboration on future water management projects and sharing lessons
learned from past water management endeavors. While the World Bank partnership shows
potential for success, many countries reject privatizing the water industry. This attitude is
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highlighted by the World Bank’s forced privatization of the Bolivian Water Supply. This action
resulted in multiple protests including the 2000 Cochabamba protests.7
The World Water Council (WWC) is another coalition that has been set up in response to the
growing water crisis. The WWC is an Environmental think tank and their mission is to:



Promote awareness of water related issues and crises
Build political commitment and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels,
including the highest decision-making level
Facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management, and
use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit
of all life on earth.
The council provides countries with a wealth of knowledge on
water management and organizes a world water forum every
three years to bring together policy-makers with water
management experts. The last forum was held in Istanbul,
Turkey in 2009.
UNEP takes a similar cooperative approach to the global water
crisis. The goals outlined in UNEP’s Water Policy Strategy
stress “improving environmental management of basils,
coastals, and marine waters and improving cooperation in the
water sector.”8 UNEP also manages a Global Environmental
Monitoring System (GEMS).9 This system has been around
since 1978 and documents the state of inland water quality and
quantity of freshwater resources. To the left, the map in red
shows the quantity of renewable water resources per
inhabitant. The map in blue shows the quantity of water that is
being utilized. The two maps demonstrate that developed
countries possess sophisticated mechanism that utilize water
resources and allow for greater consumption.9 These maps also
illustrate that through the sharing of technology, it is possible
to increase the amount usable freshwater.
Strategies for Addressing the Crisis
In this committee, delegates must formulate comprehensive solutions to the following issues. A
first topic for consideration is how to increase the availability of fresh water. As stated above the
supply is far too small for the ever increasing global demand, especially in water deprived areas.
UNEP faces the issue of developing strategies and metrics for expanding water availability while
simultaneously creating a functional, applicable framework for water. A second issue begging
for a more comprehensive strategy is water sanitation. The water crisis is only exacerbated when
water that is available is unfit for human consumption, or even worse, becomes a source for
disease and infestation. The UNEP committee must address this topic while simultaneously
drawing from the latest and best technology to suggest comprehensive solutions for member
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states as well as comprehensive planning and implementation schemes. Thirdly, the committee
must address this environmental issues specific impact on women and children and incorporate
into any solutions how to effectively mitigate the negative impact of water scarcity on this overly
impacted group. Finally, the UNEP committee must further current protocol for water pollution
prevention and treatment. This includes defining the scope and strategy for creating a
comprehensive and universally adaptable and applicable protocol for diminishing water
pollution.
Questions to Consider:





What is the current status of water availability and pollution in your country?
Does your country have any current water use policies? If so, are they effective? If not,
please explain why?
Is your country a sponsor of any of the above mentioned water saving initiatives?
What are some innovative technologies that could be used to mitigate the above
mentioned issues?
How can current water saving protocols be adapted or revised to become more
universally adaptable and applicable?
Additional Resources:



http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/glaas/en/
http://water.org/
http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/
References:
“Water” <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/question157.htm>
“Water For Life: Scarcity” <http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/scarcity.html>
“10 Facts about Water Scarcity” <http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/water/en/index.html>
Goldman, Michael. Imperial Nature: The World Bank and Struggles for Social Justice in the Age of
Globalization. New York: Yale University Press, 2005 pp.268
5. “MDG Goal 7” <http://www.mdgmonitor.org/goal7.cfm>
6. “Millennium Development Goals Review: 2010”
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG%20Report%202010%20En%20r15%20low%20res%2020100615%20-.pdf
7. “World Bank Water Expertise”. <http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/.html>
8. “World Water Council” <http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/>
9. UNEP Water Policy Strategy Guide.
<http://www.unep.org/Themes/freshwater/Documents/Water_Policy_Strategy.pdf>
10. “The World of Water Quality” <http://www.gemswater.org/>
1.
2.
3.
4.
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