BACKGROUND GUIDE

ISMUN 2023

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT

PROGRAMME
EU DILEMMA: GREEN TRANSITION OR ENERGY SECURITY
WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON NUCLEAR ENERGY
Letter from the Executive Board

Greetings Everyone,
We welcome you all to this simulation of the United Nations Environment Programme at Intra
School Model United Nations 2022. This simulation has been specifically
designed by the Secretariat to be the most challenging one at this conference. Therefore, this
committee might turn out to be very competitive but definitely an enriching experience for all of us.
Accordingly, the agenda presented before all of you is a complex one, and we expect that since you
have been selected to participate in the United Nations Environment Programme, you will push
yourselves beyond your limits to perform the best you can.

This background guide has been divided into 5 primary sections :

● About the Committee
● Mandate
● Introduction to the Agenda
● Potential Sustainable Alternative Energy Sources
● Questions to Consider

It is recommended that the BG be read in this order, as it has been carefully designed by us to make it
easy to comprehend in that order. This background guide is merely the starting point of your research.
The key to being a good delegate in MUNs is your confidence. No matter how much you have
researched, the best way to win in this committee would be by being participative and enthusiastic.
We would love to make this as fun for everyone as we can, but every person being extremely
well-researched is a very essential prerequisite for achieving our goal. Keep in mind that participants
of this committee will be held to certain high standards.
Lastly, the three of us love to maintain a friendly environment but note that diplomatic courtesy is
something taken very seriously in our committee. I hope we make this a memorable experience for
all those who attend.
And in case of even the slightest of queries, feel free to contact any of us. Best of
Luck!

Agastya Arora Sunaina Goel

Chairperson Vice Chairperson
+91 8882652814 +91 9971188997

Samaya Chauhan Diya Mahalwal Taarush Goswami

Vice Chairperson Rapporteur Rapporteur
+91 9311266479 +91 9871366400 +91 9205756264
About the Committee
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), or UN Environment, is the leading global
environmental governing body. The mission of the UNEP is to provide leadership and encourage
cooperation in informing and enabling states and their peoples to improve quality of life without
compromising future generations.
Formed in June 1972, UNEP acts as the coordinating body for the United Nation’s environmental
policies and agenda and has played a significant role in identifying, analyzing and mitigating global
environmental concerns.The UNEP’s primary function is to assist economically developing countries
in implementing environmentally sound and feasible policies and practices. The UNEP publishes an
annual report, highlighting the key priorities and developments in science-policies.
Below is an overview of 2 select key highlights from their 2018 report:

● Beating plastic pollution

Reducing the amount of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is a priority concern for
UNEP. In 2018, UNEP helped nations and individual communities pledge to make huge
commitments through banning single-use plastics, both in practice and by the rule of law.

● The UN-REDD Programme

The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation

and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) was the first joint UN global initiative on decelerating
climate change.

● Financing sustainable development

UNEP established a number of programs, including the Financial Centres for Sustainability
Network, that work with financial institutions around the world to align investments with
sustainable development and climate action. The UNEP focuses on seven thematic and strategic
areas as part of its results-based management
UNEP acts as a catalyst, educator, and advocate in promoting sustainable development and use of the
global environment. In 2008, UNEP led the Green Economy Initiative, whose overall collective
objective was to provide analysis and policy support in green sector investments and to encourage
changes in environmentally unfriendly sectors. UNEP has also been instrumental in the formation of
science-policy institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Furthermore, UNEP works to establish trust funds that enable contributors to allocate monetary
resources for international environmental conservation and preservation.
Mandate
The mission of the UN Environment Evaluation Office is to provide strateginformation to Member
States, UN Environment senior management and other UN Environment managerial

and project staff to enable them to review progress made by the organization and to reflect critically on the
constraints and challenges of delivering a quality global environmental programme.

The mandate for conducting evaluations in UN Environment derives from several UN General
Assembly Resolutions, summarized in the regulations and “Rules Governing Programme Planning,
the Programme Aspects of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of
Evaluation” (ST/SGB/2000/8). The rules and regulations require all UN programme activities to be
evaluated (regulation 7.2) and that evaluation findings are communicated to Member States through
intergovernmental bodies (rule 107.1c). This mandate is further supported by a number of UN
Environment Governing Council decisions (75(iv), 83, 6.13/1, 12/15 13/1 14/1, 23/3 – 11 and 27/13).
These decisions authorize evaluation of UN Environment activities.
According to the Secretary General’s bulletin on programme planning, monitoring and
implementation (ST/SGB/2000/8), which consolidates the General Assembly decisions on the
evaluation function, “the objective of evaluation is:
(a) To determine as systematically and objectively as possible the relevance, efficiency,
effectiveness and impact of the Organization’s activities in relation to their objectives;
(b) To enable the Secretariat and Member States to engage in systematic reflection,with a
view to increasing the effectiveness of the main programmes of the
Organization by altering their content and, if necessary, reviewing their objectives”
and that the associated rules require all UN programme activities to be evaluated. The United Nations
Environment Assembly has recognized the importance of evaluation as an integral part of the
programme planning cycle, and has requested the Executive Director to ensure that the evaluation unit
be made more managerially independent of the programming and project implementation and that it
continue to refine evaluation methodologies in collaboration with Governments and partners within
the United Nations system. The mandate covers all programmes and projects of the Environment
Fund, related trust funds, earmarked contributions and projects implemented by UN Environment
under the Global Environment Facility and under partnership agreements. The Evaluation Office
reports directly to the Executive Director, works independently from the substantive programmatic
divisions and reports of evaluation activities are submitted to the governance function of the
organization.
Introduction to the Agenda
EU Dilemma: Green Transition or Energy Security With
special emphasis on Nuclear Energy

After covid lockdowns receded, the demands were high for both natural gas and oil
(internationally)The eu strives for green energy so as to reduce the dependence on gas imports The
european commission president says that the crisis shows the bloc needs to reduce its reliance on fossil
fuels and invest in green energy Renewable energy would be suitable in the long run as the prices are
more negotiable than those of natural oil and gas. What's behind the crisis-i) Storage has been as low as
ever in a decade ii)Shenanigans b/w europe and russia on gas and politics iii)Climate change- there is
also the pressure of achieving paris climate change goals. Currently, the Earth is already about 1.1°C
warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise. To keep global warming to no
more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030
and reach net zero by 2050. This is where renewable, sustainable energy resources come into play. For
a union of nations like the EU, renewable energy can prove to be instrumental in shadowing away the
dependence on other nations for oil and natural gas.
Clean energy is regarded as the most futuristic owing to the fact that the emissions are almost nulled
down in the process. Experts argue part of the current crisis is due to the heavy dependence on fossil
fuels, other than the slow-down faced by the pandemic.

Russia was the largest exporter of Oil and Natural Gas to European Union, with nearly 40% of exports
coming from Russia. Since a long time, the EU nations have been trying to expand their other sources
of energy production to try reduce their high dependence on Russia.
However since the Russia-Ukraine war started, the EU states have started imposing sanctions after
consecutive meetings in order to show solidarity to Ukraine and pose economic difficulties for Russia.
The sanctions were on the imports of Oil and Petroleum from Russian Ground. However,unlike oil,
Russian natural gas is difficult to be replaced, given that Russia
is the largest exporter of natural gas to Europe as well as to the world. In 2021, this single country
exported about 240 billion cubic meters of natural gas to the world, 60 billion cubic meters more
than the second-largest exporter, the United States.
In late June, the supply of natural gas through Nord Stream 1 – one of the main pipelines carrying gas
supplies from Russia to Europe – has been cut by 60%. While Russia defended the move by citing
technical issues, experts believe that the real intentions might have been to push up the price of fuel, a
stark reminder to Europe that sanctions are a double-edged sword.
In a span of 6 months, EU’s CPI(Consumer Price Index), an instrument that signifies inflation, has
increased from 110.7 to 122.
The only solution for EU to solve this crisis that has huge economic implications is to find for other
ways to fulfil their energy needs and reduce their dependence on Russia.
Why the energy crunch?

A perfect storm or self-inflicted tempest?

1. Exogenous factors:-
i) extreme weather
ii) post-covid recovery
iii)supply contraction
iv) capital contraction in the hydrocarbon sector

2. Indigenous factors
i) low wind generation ii)dwindling
gas resources
iii)lowest gas storage on record
iv) EU-Russia Dynamics

3. Other factors
i) climate policy
ii) lack of strategic reserves
iii) electricity price
formulation Historical Aspect
The history of European construction began in the early 1950s with a decision by several countries to
pool their production of coal, the most important source of energy at the time. History did not follow
a linear progression, however, and 75 years later, the European Union is still trying to coordinate its
energy policies, while grappling with the new threat of global warming.

The ECSC(= European Coal and Steel Community) was established in 1952 when France, West
Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands decided to create a common market for
coal and steel.

1987 – Toward market liberalization

Under the impetus of Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission, the signature of the Single
European Act (SEA) intended to create a single market by removing the barriers that hindered the free
circulation of goods, services, capital and people. And so began the liberalization of the energy sector:
competition among operators that became Trans European, separation of energy production,
transportation and distribution activities, introduction of market prices. But each Member States
remained decision-makers in determining their own energy mix .

2000 - Combating climate change

At the turn of the century, a new challenge appeared: the fight against climate change. - It was
confirmed that greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions, in particular CO2, generated by anthropological
activities, are a powerful factor in increasing the Earth’s average surface temperature. In 2005 “a carbon
market” was established to penalize major industrial sectors with the greatest carbon dioxide emissions.
The idea of a gradual transition from fossil energies to renewable energies also began to take hold.

In 2008, European leaders adopted an “energy-climate package”. It set a target for 2020, and in
recognition of the collective production sharing contract (or agreement) , the committee decided to
transpose the target as a formula: the 3 times 20, or 3x20 network. Member States had to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, improve energy efficiency by 20% and increase to 20% the share of
renewable energies in final energy consumption. Its success was relative, and so in 2014, the European
Union adapted the three objectives for 2030.

Energy dependence has tended to increase since the 2000s and is particularly pronounced in the natural
gas sector, owing in particular to the gradual dwindling of volumes in the North Sea gas fields. Gas is
now one of the most frequently used energy sources, especially to replace coal, which causes greater
pollution and higher CO2 emissions.

2020 - A green deal for Europe

The purpose of the green deal adopted by the European Union in early 2020 is to put an end to net
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. They must be reduced by at least 55% by 2030 in comparison with
values from 1990. Europe would thereby become the first “climate neutral” continent, i.e. it would
achieve “carbon neutrality”. The plan is based in particular on the phasing out of fossil energies, electric
mobility, technological innovation, the circular
economy, building renovation and sustainable agriculture. 2022 –

Russian uncertainty

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, obliged the European Union to put “energy sovereignty”
back at the top of its list of concerns - i.e. the idea of not depending too much on imports for energy
supplies. In 2020, Russia supplied 49% of coal imports, 38% natural gas and 25% oil. The European
Commission has set itself the objective of promoting independence from all Russian fossil fuels “well
before 2030.” Russia-EU Gas Dispute
In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the European Commission and International Energy
Agency presented joint plans to reduce reliance on Russian energy, reduce Russian gas imports by two
thirds within a year, and completely by 2030. In April 2022, European Commission President Ursula
von der Leyen said "the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe will come to an end". On 18 May 2022,
the European Union published plans to end its reliance on Russian oil, natural gas and coal by 2027.
The Russian state-owned company Gazprom exports natural gas to Europe.A confluence of
interconnected factors has created turmoil in the energy market. In hindsight, it seems that the
economy might have been better prepared to withstand the shock if the EU had conducted horizon
scanning and worst-case
scenario resilience exercises that could have anticipated such disruption. . As the winter season
sets in, soaring prices heighten inflationary pressures, constrain post-Covid recovery objectives and
exacerbate the energy poverty
predicament of millions of Europeans. If not managed effectively, the crisis can compromise the pursuit of
the overarching net-zero
emissions target, and feed into emerging anti-transition sentiment that could sabotage support for the
flagship European Green Deal (EGD) and undermine the EU’s global climate leadership.

International Energy Agency (IEA) data shows that in the EU, in the second quarter of 2021, gas
consumption rose by 25 % (the largest year-on-year quarterly increase since 1985).
In order to actively reduce the EU’s dependence on Russia for energy, The European Commission
presented the REPowerEU Plan, its response to the hardships and global energy market disruption
caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There is a double urgency to transform Europe's energy
system: ending the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels, which are used as an economic and
political weapon and cost European taxpayers nearly
€100 billion per year, and tackling the climate crisis. By acting as a Union, Europe can phase out its
dependency on Russian fossil fuels faster. 85% of Europeans believe that the EU should reduce its
dependency on Russian gas and oil as soon as possible to support Ukraine. The measures in the
REPowerEU Plan can respond to this ambition, through energy savings, diversification of energy
supplies, and accelerated roll-out of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels in homes, industry and
power generation. Between April and June 2022, a number of European countries experienced gas
suspensions or reductions, including Germany, the largest EU buyer of Russian gas- with a 60%
reduction in gas supply through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

A 10-Point Plan to Reduce the European Union’s Reliance on Russian Natural Gas European

Green Deal

From an economic standpoint, many critics say that the money guaranteed for the green transition is
not enough. According to the European Commission itself, the whole of Europe needs an investment
of €260 billion annually to achieve its 2030 energy targets, which is double the current €100 billion
investment per year. On 11 dec 2019, the EU announced the egd to transform the eu into the first
climate neutral continent by 2050.
The European Green Deal focuses on 3 key principles for the clean energy transition, which will help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the quality of life of our citizens:
1. ensuring a secure and affordable EU energy supply
2. developing a fully integrated, interconnected and digitalised EU energy market
3. prioritising energy efficiency, improving the energy performance of our buildings
and developing a power sector based largely on renewable sources
The Commission’s main objectives to achieve this are:
● build interconnected energy systems and better-integrated grids to support
renewable energy sources
● promote innovative technologies and modern infrastructure
● boost energy efficiency and eco-design of products
● decarbonise the gas sector and promote smart integration across sectors
● empower consumers and help EU countries to tackle energy poverty
● promote EU energy standards and technologies at global level
● develop the full potential of Europe’s offshore wind energy

The CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism) is one of several tax and carbon price reforms
proposed as part of the Green Deal.
Economic Impact High energy prices are lashing European industry, forcing factories to cut production
quickly and put tens of thousands of employees on furlough. The cutbacks, though expected to be
temporary, are raising the risks of a painful recession in Europe. Industrial production in the Euro area fell
2.3 percent in July from a year earlier, the biggest drop in more than two years.

Nuclear Energy

Over the past 50 years, the use of nuclear power has reduced CO2 emissions by over 60
gigatonnes – nearly two years’ worth of global energy-related emissions. However, in
advanced economies, nuclear power has begun to fade, with plants closing and little new
investment made, just when the world requires more
low-carbon electricity.

Fukushima Water Release

Large quantity of radioactive material released, following the disaster in March 2011, has
caused significant human suffering and rendered large stretches of land uninhabitable.

The proposal for the release of the more than 1.33 million cubic metres of water that has
accumulated on the site since the disaster , has encountered fierce resistance from
Japan’s neighbours and countries in the Pacific region.The radioactive water has been building
up at the plant since the March 2011 tsunami destroyed its electricity and cooling systems and
triggered the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

All the IAEA’s interim evaluations have been positive and the final report is expected to say
that the water sampling, testing and monitoring plans involved in the release meet international
requirements.
Japanese fishing communities, meanwhile, are worried that the livelihoods they have worked
hard to rebuild following the 2011 crisis will once again be destroyed.

UKRAINE'S LAST REACTOR

The last operating reactor at Europe's largest nuclear power plant has been put into
a “cold shutdown” as a safety precaution amid catastrophic flooding from the
collapse of a nearby dam, Ukraine’s nuclear energy agency said Friday.

With all nuclear reactions stopped, temperatures and pressure inside reactors
gradually decline, reducing the required intensity of water cooling of the
radioactive fuel. This is a nuclear power plant’s safest operating mode.
Energoatom employees are still working at the power plant, although it
remains controlled by the Russians.

The site’s power units have not been operating since September. The head of the
International Atomic Energy Agency is due to visit Ukraine in the coming days.

CHERNOBYL

The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was the result of a flawed reactor design that was
operated with inadequately trained personnel.The resulting steam explosion and
fires released at least 5% of the radioactive reactor core into the environment, with
the deposition of radioactive materials in many parts of Europe.
Two Chernobyl plant workers died due to the explosion on the night of the
accident, and a further 28 people died within a few weeks as a result of acute
radiation syndrome.The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of
Atomic Radiation has concluded that, apart from some 5000 thyroid cancers
(resulting in 15 fatalities), "there is no evidence of a major public health impact
attributable to radiation exposure 20 years after the accident."
 Some 350,000 people were evacuated as a result of the accident, but
resettlement of areas from which people were relocated is ongoing.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER/WHAT YOU CAN DELIBERATE MORE ON?

Q: Is Nuclear Energy a viable source of renewable energy in current times ?

Q: Are energy supply disruptions advancing the EU’s transition to a lower-carbon economy and its
energy independence or furthering the continent’s dependence on fossil fuels?

Q: How should the EU act now that the crisis has settled, which has been apparent due to no serious power
interruptions this winter ?

Q: Do new reforms need to be put in place to discuss the future of nuclear power? If so, how exactly
should they be put into action ?

Q: How does the aforementioned get in with the big picture of climate change and resilience?