Founded in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations’ leading global authority on the environment. In the past, the UNEP has worked with member states, civil society, the private sector, and other UN agencies to address pressing environmental challenges such as restoring the ozone layer and promoting biodiversity. The UNEP is committed to helping all member states achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a focus on the environmental goals such as clean water and sanitation and responsible consumption and production. The degradation of the environment and the progression of climate change has made UNEP’s mandate more important than ever, improving global quality of life and safeguarding the environment for the future.
This committee welcomes both beginner and experienced delegates. Although strongly encouraged and required for an award, position papers are not mandatory. Those who wish to be considered for awards must submit their position papers by January 22, 2027, at 23:59 PST. More information about position papers can be found in the Position Paper Guide, on the Delegate Resources Page.
Topic A: Waste Colonialism (Click to show summary)
Waste colonialism refers to the practice where high-income, industrialized nations export vast quantities of hazardous, plastic, textile and electronic waste to developing nations often in the Global South. Often disguised under the label of charitable donations or recycling, this trade results in severe environmental and public health hazards due to a lack of infrastructure in the destination country. Improper waste disposal such as open dumps, dumping in rivers, waste burning and informal recycling hubs, causes significant local pollution. Despite many attempts to regulate the trade, numerous loopholes continue to reinforce historical geopolitical power imbalances. By exploiting less stringent environmental laws in developing regions, sovereign states are treated as international dumping grounds to keep wealthy nations clean.
Topic B: The impact of AI on Clean Water and Sanitation (Click to show summary)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a complex debate for global clean water and sanitation initiatives (SDG 6). On the positive side, AI-powered tools may be able to use historical data to prevent water waste and predict droughts. These innovations could significantly reduce municipal water loss and help ensure safe drinking water access in drought-ridden regions. However, AI introduces environmental strains due to its significant resource footprint. Thousands of data centers use billions of gallons of freshwater annually to cool down the servers during the training process and to run the models after release. This places drought-prone regions in extreme danger, creating a direct conflict between expanding technological infrastructure and protecting essential public water supplies.
Bronwyn Ellis | Director
Going into her final year at SMUS, Bronwyn is thrilled to be serving as Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at VMUN 2027. Since starting Model UN in Grade 8 and going to her first VMUN the same year, Bronwyn fell in love with diplomacy, debate, and most recently, having an insane amount of power. From visiting the UN to making friends for life, MUN has truly been a highlight of her high school career and hopes that delegates coming to VMUN find the same. When she’s not running around at a conference trying to find decent food and writing speeches, Bronwyn can be found glued to her laptop and phone in bed or running around in theatre backrooms. She wishes delegates luck in their preparations for VMUN and cannot wait for a weekend of fiery debate!
Zack Zhou | Chair
A sophomore at St. George’s School, Zack is jubilanted to serve as the Chair of the United Nations Enviornmental Programme at VMUN 2027. Ever since his first conference as a timid seventh grader in which he spoke a grand total of one time, he has grown to enjoy every second of this non-spectator sport. Since then, Model UN has led Zack to form new friendships, enhance his public speaking, and improve his table banging skills. When not in a committee room, Zack can be found fiddling with playing cards, binging new Netflix series, or attempting to recover his horrendous sleep schedule. Zack wishes all delegates a memorable time and a action-packed weekend of Model UN.
Cynthia Ma | Assistant Director
A Grade 11 student at Sentinel Secondary School, Cynthia is excited to serve as Assistant Director of UNEP at VMUN 2027. Since first discovering Model UN in Grade 8, she has grown to appreciate the unique combination of diplomacy, collaboration, and quick thinking that makes every conference so memorable. From navigating fast-paced debates to working alongside friends and fellow delegates, Cynthia has made some of her favourite memories through MUN and looks forward to creating many more this year. From frantically drafting resolutions in the final minutes of committee to forming unexpected alliances and navigating the occasional crisis, Cynthia has created some of her favourite memories through MUN. Outside of MUN, Cynthia can usually be found reading, adding yet another movie to her watchlist, and starting every morning with Wordle. She looks forward to welcoming delegates to VMUN 2027 and helping make their conference an engaging and memorable experience!
You can contact the Director at unep@vmun.com. Any questions regarding the committee or its debate procedures will be answered by email. Position papers must also be submitted to this address.