Abstract

This paper presents a brief overview of the key messages contained in the oil and gasindustry report, prepared in the context of the 10-year review of the implementation of Agenda 21, which was launched at the Rio Earth Summit a decade ago. This 10-years review is culminating in the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). It is being convened by the United Nations, as a ‘Heads of State’ summit, and will take place from August 26 to September 4, 2002, in South Africa.

The paper highlights the overall progress made by the industry in the previous decade as well as some of the challenges that lie ahead as the oil and gas industry continues to be a key producer and supplier of fuels and other energy services. An overview is also provided covering specific industry activities on issues such as biodiversity, climate change, and urban air quality, just to name a few.

Introduction

An industry report titled "The Oil and Gas Industry from Rio to Johannesburg and Beyond: Contributing to Sustainable Development" has been prepared by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP)1.

IPIECA2 represents the integrated petroleum industry on key global environmental issues. It serves as a forum for discussion and cooperation between the oil and gas industry and international organisations and provides a constructive industry contribution to environmental debates, while fostering dialogue with governments, intergovernmental organisations and environmental groups.

OGP3 represents the upstream oil and gas industry before international organisations and is the industry representative to the European Commission and Parliament. OGP also plays an important role in promulgating ‘best practices’, particularly in the areas of health, safety, the environment and social responsibility. The membership rosters of IPIECA and OGP span the globe, including major oil and gas corporations, the contracting and supply companies that serve them and industry trade associations. Between them IPIECA and OGP members account for more than half of the world's daily output of oil.

In the course of developing the above report, IPIECA and OGP have engaged in discussions with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), which facilitated a multi-stakeholders process for the review of all 22 separate sector reports provided by a wide range of trade associations. A number of groups including representatives from non-governmental organizations, labour unions, BLOCK 4 - - FORUM 21 37 THE OIL & GAS INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC R

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