UNEP-Norway Oil for Development Partnership

Training Resources Library

Reducing Environmental and Pollution Risks in the Upstream Oil & Gas Sector

Introduction

Finding substantial reserves of oil and natural gas can offer significant opportunities for the social, economic, and political development of any country. However, without adequate environmental management, oil and gas operations can have lasting social and environmental impacts, such as oil pollution and public health risks.

Different stages of oil and gas exploration and production involve the use of chemicals, generate diverse types of waste, emit greenhouse gases, and often occur within human settlements and wildlife habitats. These activities pose significant risks, potentially causing severe environmental harm.

UNEP prioritizes reducing global reliance on fossil fuels to combat climate change while acknowledging that oil and gas remain part of the global energy transition mix. As such, UNEP's work in this sector focuses on significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas operations and ensuring these activities do not harm local communities, public health, biodiversity, or critical ecosystems.

From 2016 to 2024, UNEP established a collaboration with the Government of Norway’s Oil for Development (OfD) Knowledge Programme, which aimed to enhance national institutional capacities for reducing environmental and pollution risks and strengthening environmental management in the upstream oil and gas sector in fragile and developing country contexts. UNEP provided training and capacity development support to OfD partner countries, which included Angola, Cuba, Ghana, Lebanon, Iraq, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania/Zanzibar, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Colombia. UNEP also provided multiple trainings related to oil spill preparedness and response, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization, Norwegian Coastal Administration, and the Nairobi Convention, as well as in methane emissions reduction, in collaboration with UNEP’s International Methane Observatory and Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

As a result of this collaboration, UNEP developed a comprehensive resource library of training materials. UNEP developed these training courses geared primarily towards government institutions, regulators, as well as EIA practitioners to be used as training materials in their own teaching and training curricula.

Utilizing UNEP’s Free Online Training Resources for Reducing Pollution Risks in the Oil & Gas Sector

About the Online Training Library

WHAT is the online training library?

The library houses an open-access collection of curated training course materials, crafted and delivered by UNEP experts, aimed at mitigating pollution risks linked to the upstream oil & gas sector. The library is packaged into thematic areas or “modules,” with each having its own comprehensive set of training materials. Users of the library will have access to classroom-style presentations, video recordings, group work exercises, course guidebooks, knowledge assessment quizzes, reports of past workshops, and industry-relevant guidance publications.

When available, course materials are accompanied by Spanish and Portuguese translated versions.

WHO is the online training library for?

The library caters to trainers and instructors involved in developing short courses, training as well as university curricula related to environmental and pollution issues in the upstream oil & gas sector, as well as to regulatory oversight. Additionally, the materials are suitable for environmental NGOs or governmental personnel engaged in conducting capacity-building workshops focused on mitigating pollution risks in the industry.

HOW can the online training library benefit you and your organization?

The library is meant to help you deliver globally-relevant training content based on environmental best practice in the upstream oil & gas sector, giving you a competitive edge in the training marketplace. The library’s expert-designed course materials have effectively boosted government capacity to manage various pollution risks and strengthen regulatory capacity for over a dozen countries. These resources enable your organization to offer effective training and comprehensive course offerings.

Six Core Modules

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