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Committee: Sustainable
Development Author: Ryan
Gilliam Committee Background:
The Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD) was created in 1992 as a result of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, held
in Agenda 21 outlines a vision for achieving sustainable development in the
21st century. Key subject areas are divided into various Chapters. Chapters 4
and 5 of Agenda 21 deal with changing consumption patterns and demographic
dynamics and sustainability. With respect to energy security, chapters 4 and 5
include the following program areas: 1. Focusing on unsustainable patterns of
production and consumption. 2.
Developing
national policies and strategies to encourage changes in unsustainable
consumption patterns. 3.
Developing and disseminating knowledge concerning
the links between demographic trends and factors and sustainable development. 4.
Formulating integrated national policies for
environment and development, taking into account demographic trends and
factors. 5.
Implementing integrated, environment and
development programmes at the local level, taking into account demographic
trends and factors. The 53 member states of the CSD serve 3-year terms. The mandate guiding
all initiatives undertaken within the CSD is witnessed in its mission statement
of “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Energy security, a term which reflects a nation’s ability to meet its energy demands, can be depicted as a triangle, with politics, raw material and economics at its corners. In discussing energy resources, undoubtedly the three are linked. Political superpowers, along with nations fortunate to have an abundance of raw materials, notably fossil fuels, are continually shifting the price point of energy. In discussing energy security, there are multiple threats to energy supply that need to be addressed. First, political pressure coupled with the availability of raw materials has the power to both manipulate and suspend energy supplies. Second, physical damage to energy infrastructure, either through natural disasters, industrial accidents, terrorism or warfare, can decrease or cut off energy availability. Third, increased competition for energy resources, due to the industrialization of many Non-Annex 1 countries, has unbalanced the scales between supply and demand. Fourth, with the increased focus on carbon emissions, through international efforts like the Fourth Assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, international pressure is pushing towards a change in energy usage [1]. Taking into
account these threats on energy supply, there are a number of specific concerns
that must be addressed to ensure energy security. First, there is a fear that we have reached the worlds
limits in regards to fossil fuel extraction and production. Depleting and
consuming supplies beyond what can be replaced. Second, since the worlds supply of oil and fossil fuels is
supplied by only a few nations, many countries rely on foreign sources of
energy. How can those nations ensure that their future energy demands will be
met? How does geopolitics come into play? Oil and fossil fuel exports come from
some of the most volatile political regions in the world. To sustain energy
demands are countries willing to support dictatorship nations or nations
involved in international terrorism? How can the world as a whole meet the
energy needs of poorer countries? What impact does the industrialization of
large nations like Lastly, should the world community set regulations on fossil
fuel and oil and push towards renewable and alternative energy sources [2]? This issue is complex and lends itself to many different discussion topics. The aim of the committee will be to differentiate between these topics and decide what specific points need to be addressed short term, and what points need to be addressed in the long term. As you will see when reading through this report, the issue of energy security has long been on the discussion floor within the United Nations; however, no concrete solutions have been put in place. It is the aim of this committee to start proposing answers to these questions. History of the problem: Why are
we worried about energy security? Energy, without question, is the
life blood of a nation. Without it, industries can’t produce, vehicles can’t
move, and societies based on energy fall. This has been evidenced throughout
history with the first major impact coming from the 1973 Oil Crisis. In 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting
Companies (OAPEC) halted shipment of petroleum to countries which had supported
It should be noted here that OAPEC is not that same organization as OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). OPEC, which was formed in 1960, aims to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among petroleum producing companies to ensure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations [5], where as OAPEC’s aim is to provide support to the Arab oil industry [6]. In 1979,
the second major energy
crisis occurred. Anti-Shah protests in Not to belabour the point, but there
are a few other international incidents that are worth discussing to develop a
clearer understanding of where the specific concerns of the international
community were manifested in the “Statement of the Problem” outlined above. In
1990, during the Gulf War, the Iraqi army set fire to the oil fields in In 2000, deregulation and market manipulation caused an
electricity crisis throughout the state of The last examples that will be discussed are the
Russia-Belarus and Russia-Ukraine energy disputes. In looking at all of the different
energy related issues that have occurred over the past few decades, it is
apparent that for a nation to maintain energy security, or for the world as a
whole to maintain energy security and sustainability, many different points
need to be taken into consideration. From politics to damage of infrastructure,
from war to governmental regulations, there are many different factors which
can cause energy crises. Each of these different issues has helped in
developing policies and strategies to deal with energy shortages that may occur
in the short term. The question is now, how do we deal with these issues for
the long term? Past UN/International Actions:
Following the Cold War, in the early
1990’s, In 1992, through the formation of the Committee for
Sustainable Development, Agenda 21, which is one of the most important
documents that has been drafter with respect to sustainable development, came
into play. As mentioned in the outset, both Chapters 4 and 5 of Agenda 21
discuss topics specifically related to energy security and energy
sustainability. Chapter 4 looks specifically at unsustainable patterns of
production and consumption. Specifically, focus is given to “how economies can
grow and prosper while reducing the use of energy and materials and the
production of harmful materials.” The Chapter discusses the need for “greater
efficiency in the use of energy and resources” as well as encourages the “use
of new and renewable sources of energy.” For our global economy to sustain the
current levels of energy demand, new energy technologies are needed [14]. In Chapter 5, the fine balance between population and
sustainability is addressed with respect to current consumption patterns and
the impact on our planet. Based on our current population growth and energy
consumption rates, the world will not be able to meet its energy demands unless
new technologies or a change in energy consumption patterns and efficiencies is
introduced [15]. The Committee on Sustainable Energy, a branch of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which was formed earlier this
decade, is the principal intergovernmental body “responsible for promoting
international cooperation in the field of energy [16].” At their 12th
session, held in November of 2002, the committee introduced energy security as
part of sustainable energy strategies. As a goal, the committee called for a
periodic exchange on energy security and sustainable energy, an analysis of the
reliability of data on energy supplies and industries related to energy
security to enhance the transparency and efficiency of energy markets, internet
based information exchanges on the subject, and continued assessment of energy
security and energy efficiency in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
[17]. Last year, the UNECE Energy
Security Forum, under the Committee on Sustainable Energy, compiled a report
for the G8 summit. The report concluded “that global energy security risks have
increased sharply.” The reasoning behind the increased risks was steeply rising
energy import demands in developing countries, the narrowing margin between
supply and demand, the volatility of oil prices due to international tensions
and terrorism, the concentration of known fossil fuel reserves in a limited
number of regions, and restricted access for development of these fossil fuel
reserves. The
report suggested that countries could mitigate these risks by promoting
investment in the energy sector, and through having open data and information
sharing [18]. Under the United Nations Economic
and Social Council, the Economic and Social Commission for Earlier this year, the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change compiled what is known as the Fourth
Assessment Report. In total, there were three separate working groups that
contributed to the report. Working Group I looked at the physical science basis
behind climate change, producing a summary for policy makers [20]. Working
Group II discussed impacts, adaptation and vulnerability with respect to
climate change [21]. Working Group III developed a technical summary on how to
mitigate issues related to climate change [22]. In the technical report produced
by Working Group III, the effect of current energy usage on the recent global
warming phenomenon was outlined. Chapter 4 of the technical report discusses
Energy Supply and the status of the current energy sector. Based on its
findings, the report outlines that in the future, lack of security with respect
to oil and gas supplies will cause an energy shift towards coal, nuclear energy
and/or renewable energies. In this report, the question is raised as to how
will countries, who are trying to meet ever increasing energy demands, be able
to do so while limiting economic costs, ensuring energy security, and
minimizing effects on their environment [22]. Although a very long report, it
does provide some suggestions that may help countries in doing so. For this
particular committee, this is a question that must be at the forefront of
discussion. Coinciding with our conference
this year, the UNECE Energy Week which is looking specifically at Investing in
Energy Security, is being held in In this article, I have only covered
a small fraction of the UN and international organizations that have been
established to combat the issues around energy security and sustainable energy.
Dependent upon your nation, there are a multitude of different resources and
committees available to research. Based on the economic stance of your nation
and your nation’s abundance or lack of fossil fuel reserves, the questions that
need answering vary. In any event, the fundamental question in the end is still
the same. How are you going to ensure that your nation has enough energy to
meet its demands and continue to grow? Questions a
Resolution Must Answer: The following is a compilation of some of the issues and
questions put forth by the committees and organizations outlined in the prior
sections. For a resolution to be effective, it must answer questions regarding energy
usage, energy efficiency, the role of alternative energy sources, development
of new energy infrastructure, mitigation of the effects energy production has
on the environment, international policies and procedures, as well as guidelines
for sharing of information between nations and world organizations. 1. Investment into the research and development of alternative
power and fuel. This includes hydrogen fuel technology, biodiesel, solar and
photovoltaic energy, geothermal energy, tidal and wave energy, wind energy,
hydroelectric and fusion power. 2. From a given nations standpoint, how to: - Reduce dependency on one
source of imported energy - Increase the number of
suppliers - Exploit native fossil fuels or
renewable energy sources - Reduce overall demand through
energy conservation. 3. Develop an open dialogue for information dissemination. This
could be done through electronic publishing, annual energy security forum
sessions, etc. 4. How can the world avoid situations like the 1973 Oil Crisis in
the future? Is it fair for countries to use political pressure to manipulate
and suspend energy supplies? 5. How can the world protect its current energy infrastructure? 6. In looking at the balance between supply and demand, how is the
world going to meet the growing energy needs of developing nations like 7. How does global warming come into play? Do regulations and
policies need to be put in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? How would
these policies affect energy production? 8. How can individual nations who rely on importing energy supplies
ensure that their future energy demands will be met? References: 1. Economic and Social Council, Economic
Commission for 2. Energy Security, http://www.globalissues.org/energy/
3. “The Mideast Oil Crisis”,
http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/history/mideast.htm 4. Sarah Horton, “The 1973 Oil Crisis”, http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/MidEast/04/horton/horton.htm 5. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, http://www.opec.org/home/ 6. Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, http://www.oapecorg.org/ 7. James A. Philips, “The Iranian Oil Crisis”, http://www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/bg76.cfm 8. “The world oil market in the shadow of the gulf war”, Economic Bulletin, Volume 28 (2), April 1991. 9. Jerry Taylor and Peter VanDoren, “ 10. “Impact
of September 2000 Fuel Price Protests on UK Critical Infrastructure”, http://www.iwar.org.uk/cip/resources/PSEPC/fuel-price-protests.htm
11. Lionel Beehner, “ 12. “A Guide to Committees, Groups, And Clubs”, http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/groups.htm
13. “The Energy Charter”, http://www.encharter.org/
14. Agenda 21 – Chapter 4: Changing
Consumption Patterns http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21chapter4.htm 15.
Agenda 21 – Chapter 5: Demographic Dynamics and
Sustainability http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21chapter5.htm
16. United Nations Economic Commission for 17. United Nations Economic and Social Committee: Committed on Sustainable Energy. Thirteenth Session, 19-21 November 2003. 18.
UNECE Energy Security Forum report for G-8
Summit Received by Russian Government, http://www.unece.org/press/pr2006/06sed_p03e.htm 19. United Nations Economic and Social Council:
Economic and Social Commission for 20. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis: Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 21. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Working Group II Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Fourth Assessment Report. 22. Technical Summary: Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Further Suggested Bibliography: 1.
Committee for Sustainable Development, http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/about_us/aboutus.htm
2.
United Nations Global Compact, www.unglobalcompact.org 3.
United Nations Economic Commission for 4.
UN Millennium Development Goals, http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ 5. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - http://www.ipcc.ch/ 6. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Division for Sustainable Development, http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/ 7.
Energy Information Administration: Official
Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government on Energy Security, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/security/ 8. Institute for the Analysis of Global Security: Energy Security, http://www.iags.org/es.html 9. General Assembly, 19th Special Session, Agenda item 8. Resolution S/19-2. |