Houston Area

Model United Nations

Standard Committee

UNEP

Chair | Brianna Gonzalez

Topic B: Addressing Agriculture
pollution from pesticides & fertilizers
Houston Area Model United Nations 50
February 6 & 7, 2025
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Note to Delegates
Delegates,

My name is Brianna Gonzalez, and I am thrilled to be your chair for the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) at the 50th annual Houston Area Model United Nations
conference! I hope you’re all excited for an exciting two days of diplomacy and discussion .

A little about me: I am a freshman at Tulane University, majoring in Architecture with minors in
Business & Environmental Studies. I have been involved in Model UN since my freshman year in
high school & have participated in HAMUN over the past four years. My interests beyond college
are reading, traveling, & going on nature walks. This is my first year as a chair, but I am certain that
this will be a great experience with all the delegates.

In this committee, we will be focusing on 2 topics this year: 1) Enhancing Resilience and
Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and 2) Addressing Agricultural
Pollution from Pesticides and Fertilizers. The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts have
highlighted the fragility of environmental and economic systems, particularly in vulnerable
regions like SIDS. Meanwhile, agricultural pollution continues to rise as a pressing issue with
significant consequences for ecosystems and human health. These topics are versatile when
tackling the issue, and need to be approached with an open mind and a willingness to understand
the various viewpoints that contribute to a more comprehensive solution.

My advice to all delegates is to embrace this opportunity to explore innovative solutions, conduct
thorough research, and collaborate effectively. Engage deeply with the issues, challenge yourselves
to think creatively, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and developing impactful
solutions. I look forward to seeing all the delegates' perspectives!

Brianna Gonzalez
Chair of UNEP
[email protected]
 UNEP 33
Chair | Brianna Gonzalez
Houston Area Model United Nations 50
February 6-7, 2025

Background Information
What is UNEP?
The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) supports all 193
Member States in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals. UNEP
helps nations enhance their quality of
life while ensuring that future
generations are not compromised. Its
focus areas include climate change,
biodiversity, pollution, and the Besides these formal meetings, UNEP
sustainable use of natural resources. organizes numerous workshops and
events throughout the year to address
specific environmental issues, furthering
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, its role in global sustainability and the
UNEP is led by Executive Director achievement of the SDGs. To name a few,
Inger Andersen and operates through UNEP advances the Sustainable
various global divisions. UNEP’s Development Goals by promoting climate
governing body, the UNEP Governing action through the Climate Action
Council (GC), typically meets every Initiative and the Emissions Gap Report,
two years. In addition, the UNEP supporting SDG 13. It also aids in
Assembly holds annual meetings, preserving ecosystems (SDGs 14 and 15),
which were established to replace the combating pollution via the Clean Seas
Governing Council and are intended Campaign (SDGs 6 and 14), and
to provide a more inclusive platform. advocating for sustainable resource use
through the International Resource Panel
(SDG 12).
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A Brief History

Established in 1972, UNEP’s presence marked the first step toward the development of
international environmental law and the recognition of the relationship between a
healthy environment and human well-being. The inaugural meeting of UNEP’s Governing
Council took place in June 1973 in Geneva, setting the foundation for UNEP’s role as a key
player in environmental support and advocacy. On October 2, 1973, Kenya’s first
president, Jomo Kenyatta, inaugurated UNEP’s headquarters at the Kenyatta International
Convention Centre. Two years later, UNEP moved to a new location on an old coffee farm,
where it remains today.

UNEP's significant milestones include the MARPOL treaty, which imposes strict
regulations on shipping to prevent oil spills and other forms of marine pollution; the
adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES), which aims to ensure that international trade does not threaten the
survival of wild animals and plants; and the establishment of the first World Environment
Day in 1974 to raise global awareness and encourage environmental action.

The organization has also been crucial to

address growing global environmental
challenges. UNEP has played a major role
in initiating negotiations to combat
ozone layer depletion, leading to the
Montreal Protocol in 1987, a
groundbreaking agreement designed to
phase out substances that deplete the
ozone layer.

Additionally, UNEP’s efforts contributed to the creation of the Basel Convention in 1989,
which regulates the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes, and
the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, which seeks to conserve biological
diversity, promote sustainable use of its components, and ensure fair sharing of benefits
from genetic resources.

In more recent years, UNEP has continued to address emerging environmental issues,
including climate change, plastic pollution, and sustainable development. The
organization has been pivotal in coordinating international efforts to address these
challenges and in promoting the integration of environmental considerations into global
agendas.
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Topic Overview
Chemicals play a crucial role in modern agriculture, with nearly 4 billion tons of pesticides
and 12 billion kilograms of agricultural plastics used annually. [6] Despite the benefits
provided by pesticides for food yields, these chemicals pose significant risks to human health
and the environment. Approximately 11,000 people die each year due to the toxic effects of
these chemicals. Furthermore, chemical residues can degrade ecosystems, harming soil
health and reducing farmers' resilience to climate change. The open burning of agricultural
plastics contributes to an air pollution crisis, accounting for one in nine deaths worldwide.
Highly hazardous pesticides and mismanaged agricultural plastics release toxic persistent
organic pollutants (POPs), which don't break down in the environment and contaminate air,
water, and food. These chemical inputs are often cheaper than sustainable alternatives,
providing little incentive for farmers to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

According to the Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO), the UN
Development Programme (UNDP), and
the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP), global support for agricultural
producers amounts to USD 540 billion
per year, representing 15 percent of
total agricultural production value.
This figure is projected to triple by
2030, reaching over USD 1.759 trillion.

Alarmingly, 87 percent of this support—approximately USD 470 billion—is price-distorting

and environmentally and socially harmful. [5] UNEP Executive Director Inger Anderson
emphasizes the opportunity for governments to transform agriculture into a major driver
of human well-being and a solution to the imminent threats of climate change, biodiversity
loss, and pollution.
While the negative impacts of pesticides and fertilizers are significant, it is essential to
recognize the benefits that motivate their use. Pesticides and fertilizers can reduce crop
loss, lower the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, extend the shelf life of agricultural
products, enhance livestock yields, and protect wooden structures. However, the need to
balance these benefits with environmental sustainability highlights a pressing issue. This
challenge is at the forefront of UNEP's agenda, as addressing agricultural pollution is vital
for promoting a healthier planet and ensuring food security for future generations.
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History
At the beginning of the 19th century, there were almost no man-made nitrogen compounds
in the environment. In the early 20th century, German chemist Fritz Haber and engineer
Carl Bosch developed a method for extracting nitrogen from the air and combining it with
hydrogen to produce liquid ammonia [7]. This innovation became a key ingredient in
synthetic fertilizers, driving unprecedented agricultural expansion and helping to feed a
rapidly growing global population.

However, this technological advancement brought significant environmental challenges.

Over the last century, the concentration of man-made nitrogen compounds in water, soil,
and air has doubled. While nitrogen is essential for life, excess amounts can become
dangerous pollutants, contaminating water bodies, plants, animals, and humans.
Additionally, nitrogen contributes to climate change through emissions of nitrous oxide, a
potent greenhouse gas.

Nutrient runoff from farms laced with synthetic fertilizers has adversely affected both
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Freshwater and marine habitats have suffered the
most, with recurrent algal blooms, such as those in Lake Erie, leading to hypoxic
conditions that create "dead zones" devoid of aquatic life. These blooms disrupt food
chains, harm fish populations, and degrade water quality, posing risks to human health and
local economies.
In response to these growing concerns, international discussions and frameworks began to
recognize the urgent need to address the impacts of agricultural pollution. As the
consequences of agricultural practices on ecosystems became increasingly evident, a
critical turning point in understanding and managing the environmental and health risks
associated with fertilizers and pesticides turning to new alternatives.
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Past UN Action
In 2015, the SAICM Fourth International Conference of Chemicals Management (ICCM4)
adopted a resolution recognizing Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) as an issue of
international concern, calling for action to address their use. The following year, FAO and
WHO developed an eight-criteria measure to determine whether a pesticide qualifies as an
HHP. These pesticides are characterized by their high levels of acute or chronic hazards to
health or the environment, as defined by internationally accepted classification systems
such as the WHO or the Global Harmonized System (GHS) or their listing in relevant binding
international agreements or conventions. In addition, pesticides that appear to cause severe
or irreversible harm to health or the environment under conditions of use in a country may
also be classified as highly hazardous." [12]
The UNEP report for the fifth session of
the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5)
aimed to improve understanding of
current practices and drivers behind the
use of pesticides and fertilizers. It
acknowledged that the global goal to
minimize adverse impacts of chemicals &
waste by 2020 was not achieved for
pesticides and fertilizers. The report noted
an expanded global demand, production,
and use of pesticides and fertilizers, with
combined sales growing at about 4.1% per
year and projected to reach USD 309
billion by 2025.
Increased demand for crops has led to intensification of agricultural production, which is
partly achieved by greater use of pesticides and fertilizers. For instance, between 2002
and 2018, the global population increased by approximately 21%, while cereal production
rose by about 44%. In that same period, pesticide use per hectare of cropland increased
by about 30%, and inorganic fertilizer use per hectare grew by 23% for nitrogen, 13% for
phosphorus, and a significant 56% for potassium. Relevant Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) linked to pesticides and fertilizers include 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, and
17. Despite various international agreements aimed at minimizing the impacts of
pesticides and fertilizers, effective implementation remains lacking, particularly in low-
and middle-income countries.
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Past UN Action
As previously discussed, the history of nitrogen pollution and the resulting dead zones
now affecting aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted a growing number of
governments, companies, international videos and UNEP to endorsed the 2019 Colombo
Declaration of Sustainable Nitrogen Management which set an ambition goal of halving
nitrogen waste from all sources by 2030. UNEP also established the global “Halve
Nitrogen Waste” campaign, highlighting that improving nitrogen use efficiency not only
supports climate, nature, and health goals but saves over US$100 billion globally each
year. [11]

A 2022 UNEP report, “The Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers
and Ways to Minimize Them,” outlined six priority actions to strengthen pesticide and
fertilizer management. These actions include incentivizing healthy and sustainable
consumer choices, adopting ecosystem-based crop management practices, promoting
circularity and resource efficiency, implementing integrated approaches for sound
pesticide and fertilizer management, strengthening standards and corporate policies for
sustainable supply chains, and utilizing economic instruments to create a level playing
field for greener products and practices. The report emphasized the urgent need to
address knowledge gaps and explore additional options for minimizing the adverse effects
of pesticides and fertilizers on health and the environment.

Most recently, the 2023 Emissions Gap Report found that progress has been made since
the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. While greenhouse gas emissions were projected
to increase by 16% by 2030 at the time of the agreement's adoption, the current
projection is a 3% increase. However, to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement,
emissions must still fall by 28% for the 2°C pathway and by 42% for the 1.5°C pathway. [10]
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Case Study: Uruguay

Uruguay reflects global pesticide use worldwide. The Directorate of Livestock, Agriculture
and Fishing Department registered 2,601 pesticides, highlighting the extensive use of
chemical inputs in farming practices, mirroring trends in many other countries. To curb
the extensive use of chemicals, Uruguay has recently developed new programs to combat
agriculture pollution.

In conjunction with Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, Philippines, and Viet Nam, Uruguay joined
forces to launch a five-year initiative known as FARM (Fostering Agro-Ecological Resilience
in Markets). This program aims to mitigate the environmental impact of the agricultural
sector by preventing the release of over 51,000 tons of hazardous pesticides and 20,000
tons of plastic waste while avoiding 35,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and
protecting over 3 million hectares of land from degradation as farms convert to
low-chemical and non-chemical choices [17]

FARM will support government regulation to phase out POPs-containing agrochemicals

and agri-banking, insurance, and investment criteria to improve the availability of effective
pest control, trade, and production alternatives in sustainable produce. This initiative
aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3
(Good Health and Well-being) and 13 (Climate Action).

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has signed an agreement with Uruguay to
launch a joint project aimed at reducing the use of harmful agrochemicals and addressing
plastic pollution. The project, titled “Strengthening Investment for Adoption of
Alternatives & Sustainable Management of Agrochemicals and Agricultural Plastics in
Uruguay,” seeks to enhance oversight of agrochemicals in the country by eliminating
high-hazard pesticides. This five-year initiative will be implemented through the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and the FARM Programme, coordinated by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP).
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Case Study: Denmark

Since the 1980s, Denmark has successively implemented a pesticide action plan aimed at
reducing the use and impact of pesticides in agriculture, taking the lead in a strategy later
adopted by the European Union. A significant aspect of this initiative has been the removal
of many harmful pesticides to protect groundwater and comply with EU directives. In
2009, Denmark shifted its focus to integrated pest management (IPM) as a primary
strategy, moving away from merely reducing pesticide use to encouraging farmers to
minimize or eliminate pesticides altogether. With the help of research and advisory bodies,
farmers were able to move away from pesticides altogether.
In 2014, the Pesticides Strategy 2013-2016 was introduced, assessing Danish groundwater
protection and establishing a pesticide authorisation scheme that promoted new modes of
action to combat resistance in weeds, fungi, and insect pests. With this framework in
place, the Danish National Action Plan on Pesticides 2017-2021 was launched to further
curb the consumption of high-load pesticides. The plan outlined four main areas: the
authorisation of pesticides, targeted inspection efforts, the collection of knowledge
through the Pesticide Research Programme, and the provision of information, advice, and
guidance to farmers. The Danish EPA’s criteria has been collated as a set of assessment
principles and are continuously developed to include new EU guidance and new
knowledge.
Despite these achievements, studies
have shown that wastewater from
greenhouse and watercourses close
to greenhouses contain pesticides
that have not been authorized for
outdoor use in Denmark. This
situation highlights the urgent need
for clearer guidelines and
recommendations on managing
wastewater and other waste from
greenhouse operations to prevent
environmental contamination.
Moving forward, Denmark must
address these challenges while
continuing to innovate and adapt its
agricultural practice.
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Questions to Consider
(Please note: You do not need to address them all in your paper, if any at all. These are just
some starting points for debate in committee and your own position and agenda)

1. How can countries balance the immediate benefits of pesticide and fertilizer use for
food production with the long-term environmental and health risks they pose?
2. What strategies can be employed to raise awareness among farmers and consumers
about the risks associated with pesticides and fertilizers?
3. What role can innovation and technology play in developing safer alternatives to
chemical inputs in agriculture?
4. How can the agricultural sector contribute to achieving multiple SDGs?
5. What are the key challenges countries face in regulating the use of pesticides and
fertilizers, especially in low- and middle-income nations?
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References
About UNEP:
[1] About the United Nations Environment Programme | UNEP - UN Environment
Programme
[2] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | Britannica
[3] UNCED, Earth Summit .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform

Topic Overview:
[5] UN report calls for repurposing of USD 470 billion of agricultural support that distorts
prices and steer us away from environment and social goals | United Nations Development
Programme (undp.org)
[6] New initiative aims to curb the toxic impacts of agriculture (unep.org)

History:
[7] Fertilizers: challenges and solutions (unep.org)
[8] Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
[9] New UNEP report provides actions to minimize adverse impacts on health and
environment from pesticides and fertilizers

Past United Nation Actions:

[10] Emissions Gap Report 2023 | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
[11] Fertilizers: challenges and solutions (unep.org)
[12] Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
[13] JSUNEPPF.pdf
[14] New UNEP report provides actions to minimize adverse impacts on health and
environment from pesticides and fertilizers
[15] UNEP Report Identifies Top Actions to Minimize Adverse Impacts of Pesticides,
Fertilizers – SDG Knowledge Hub (iisd.org)

Case Study- Uruguay:

[16] FINAL_EN_Exec Summary_URUGUAY HHPs_ 1_July_2020 (ipen.org)
[17] New initiative aims to curb the toxic impacts of agriculture (unep.org)
[18] Uruguay signs, begins project to transform its agricultural system | Pest and Pesticide
Management | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | IPM and Pesticide
Risk Reduction | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)
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References
Case Study- Denmark:
[19] Case_studies_action_pesticides.pdf (unep.org)
[20] Danish National Action Plan on Pesticides 2017 2021. | UNEP Law and Environment Assistance
Platform
[21]https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/43375/Case_studies_action_pes
ticides.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
[22]https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-03/pesticides_sup_nap_dan-rev_en.pdf
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