Environmental Management

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nIntroduction

nAn increase in the human population over the years has resulted to the higher demand for energy in both developed and developing countries. This has been facilitated by the readily available, inexpensive, convenient and proficient energy sources, including gas and oil, which has led to growth and affluence. The petroleum industry is charged with the challenge of constant supply of gas and oil to serve the population demand (Islam, Khan and Chhetri 2012, p. 42). The concern of climatic change and global warming has led to consequent forming of worldwide climate treaties, which poses a challenge to oil companies as their manufacturing and production has led to emission of hydrocarbons responsible for climate change (Simon 2010, p. 43). This paper seeks to discuss benefits and challenges oil/gas companies encounter as they venture to renewable energy, how they apply sustainable development in their course and recommendations to the UN.

nGas and oil manufacturing generates a lot of wealth for nations and leads to socio-economic growth in the areas of education, foreign exchange revenue, water supply, health care, infrastructure and provision of job opportunities etc. Despite the social and economic advantages they are associated with, there are environmental disadvantages associated with the exploitation of their reserves (Baumüller, Donnelly, Vines and Weimer 2011, p. 42). The side effects include, water and air pollution, oil spills, land damages, fires and accidents which have been documented at various oil reserves worldwide. Petroleum companies strive hard to reduce the negative impacts to people and the environment through sustainable development (Baumüller, Donnelly, Vines and Weimer 2011, p. 43).

nSustainable development strives to merge emergent issues about the environment, society and economy therefore meeting the wants of the international society for gas and oil at a realistic cost, with minimum negative impact and which is safe to the environment until an alternate source of energy is found. It aims at making the production of gas and oil as clean as it possibly can (Roosa 2010, p. 20). Oil companies work towards achieving that in various ways. They contribute to policy making and development by working in tandem with all parts of the society. They also work towards minimising the impacts of the production process to the environment by using advanced technology, enlisting the services of trained professionals especially environmentalists. They optimise the use of the available petroleum and support local growth of resources for petroleum energy in under developed nations (Golus̆in, Dodić and Popov 2013, p. 39).

n Furthermore oil companies prolong the use of gas and oil, while still promoting new energy sources in the market through creative systems that are hybridized (Golus̆in, Dodić and Popov 2013, p. 49). Sustainable development has seen the oil and gas production companies attain certain benefits including cutting the cost of production and cleaning the environment as the energy produced is clean. Oil companies are also able to produce long lasting and renewable gas and oil (Roosa 2010, p. 54). Despite the efforts to use alternative sustainable energy, gas and oil production is still practiced in sensitive environments as a result of revenue mismanagement and corruption. Some of the oil firms have unscrupulous operators who are out to make profit and therefore illegally deplete the oil reserves which have a negative ecological impact (Simon 2010, p. 46).

nFor sustainable energy development to be totally achieved there is a need to involve all stakeholders. One of the ways to achieve sustainability is through successfully reporting of environmental health sustainability impact and aspects. This can be reported to the United Environmental Program (Golus̆in, Dodić and Popov 2013, p. 76). Oil companies can also analyse their monthly waste and work towards minimising. The UN through their UNEP branch can occasionally carry audits and inspection of the petroleum companies. Some of the obsolete production procedures can be replaced with advanced technology which is more effective and environment friendly. Advanced technology can also include emission trappers to trap the hydrocarbons produced. Staff should be trained on emergency procedures in case of accidents and emergencies (Golus̆in, Dodić and Popov 2013, p. 81).

nConclusion

nGas and oil companies are a major contributor of revenue and wealth for the oil producing companies. Energy is essential for human survival and the strategies put in place towards achieving sustainable energy development as discussed in the paper are commendable. The global climate treaties have led to accountability and responsibility by petroleum companies hence resulting to a decline in emission of hydrocarbons (Simon 2010, p. 67). However, there is a long way to go to achieve the sustainable development goals. Oil companies should come up with more ways to ensure effective production with minimum environmental impacts (Roosa 2010, p. 60).

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nReferences

nBaumüller, H., Donnelly, E., Vines, A. and Weimer, M., 2011. The effects of oil companies’ activities on the environment, health and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Luxembourg: Publications Office.

nGolus̆in, M., Dodić, S. and Popov, S., 2013. Sustainable energy management. Walthan, Mass: Academmic Press.

nIslam, R., Khan, M. and Chhetri, A., 2012. Green Petroleum. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.

nRoosa, S., 2010. Sustainable development handbook. Lilburn, GA: Fairmont Press.

nSimon, S., 2010. Global warming. New York: Collins.