Topic:
Country: Romania
Delegate Name: Kenna Charbauski
Special Political Committee
Arctic Circle Resource Exploitation
Romania
Kenna Charbauski
Forest Hills Northern High School
It is estimated that there are 90 billion barrels of oil, 1,669 trillion feet of natural gas, and 44 billion barrels of natural gas liquids that remain undiscovered in the Arctic Circle. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) the Arctic Circle contains 30% of undiscovered natural gas reserves, and 13% of undiscovered oil reserves. As a member of the European Union (EU), Romania recognizes the potential of the natural gas and oil reserves in the Arctic Circle, but also understands the cost that the exploitation of these resources will have on the environment. Romania supports the EU Arctic Policy. In the Emissions Gap Report 2022 by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) it was found that massive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cuts needed to be delivered in order to meet the Paris Agreement goal of reducing global warming to 2°C by 2030. According to the UNEP, GHG emissions need to be cut by 45% by 2030. The exploitation of arctic resources would only negatively impact GHG emission goals.
In order to protect the integrity of the Arctic Circle the EU has passed its Arctic Policy. The goal of the policy is to promote peace in the Arctic Circle, help the Union to deliver the targets defined by the EU Green Deal and meet its geopolitical interests. Romania believes in the importance of sustainable strategies when it comes to resource exploitation. Through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Romania has implemented strategies internally to pursue low carbon development and fight climate change. By passing the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) Romania is identifying 13 sectors where GHG emissions will be reduced. Romania is passing acts (such as the National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth strategy) to mitigate GHG emissions and transition to green energy. Romania is smartly and efficiently putting these climate policies into action. The EU shares the responsibility of the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples as well. As a member of the EU, Romania fully plans to support the needs of Indigenous Peoples, and acknowledges their claim to Arctic Circle land and desires for development of the Arctic Circle to be to the benefit of its inhabitants.
Romania requests for members of the Arctic Council, as well as Non-Arctic states to recognize the importance of sustainable growth, and the impact that resource exploitation can have on climate change. The sustainable use of resources should be a top priority for all nations wishing to exploit the Arctic Circle.
