ARCTIC OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT: A TRAJECTORY TO ECOLOGICAL RUIN?

Le résumé fourni par la source

As the Arctic sea ice retreats in response to climate change, vast petroleum resources are becoming technically and economically exploitable. In order to meet the world's growing demand, these resources will almost certainly be developed on a grand scale. However, the Arctic constitutes a particularly hazardous and challenging environment in which to conduct petroleum operations. The region's ecology is especially sensitive and large doubts have been cast over the adequacy of the existing legal regime and the readiness of technologies employed by the industry to cope with such challenges and safeguard the environment. By considering a range of relevant issues, this paper seeks to assess the likelihood that petroleum development in the Arctic will result in ecological ruin. The author concludes that despite some positive steps taken by the Arctic Council, individual governments and oil companies, the Arctic is indeed on a trajectory to ecological ruin. It appears that the timeframe for the development of Arctic resources will outpace the rate at which important technological and regulatory gaps are filled. Such gaps are unlikely to be addressed in a timely manner owing to the weight of commercial interests and political inertia.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.