Sustainable growth and security in the GCC: Recommendations for the UAE
1
INTRODUCTION
The wider Arab world and the GCC regions are facing several interconnected dilemmas under the social, environmental and economic sectors of sustainable development. There is a need to design sustainability strategies that are effective and in alignment with the context. Investigations, where contributors have tried to read the obstacles that are barring sustainable developments in the GCC regions, impact of existing development strategies and the pattern in which the countries deal with the regional and global sustainability issues. The case study is aimed for allowing academics to present research that is related to the issues ongoing, and providing possible solutions for betterment of the GCC region.
The countries of
GCC includes Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait are hosts of large
amount of fossil fuels, as well as several types of minerals, apart from the
cultural richness. The economies of these regions are characterized by an
export-import culture of the fossil-fuels. Over the years these trades have
gained them significant amount of revenues that have raised the overall per
capita standards of living standards (Jemni et.
al 2016). The countries saw development through the 1970’s resulting in
economic growth, higher job prospects, and a rise in number of immigrant
workers. The rise in economy created transformed leadership which changed the
face of the GCC countries into modern states with ambitions. However, this
structure has been under question in the recent years due to the increasing
demands from the surge in population. This has brought a sense of urgency in
reviewing the sustainability norms in the region.
The case studies based on the GCC region are
much focused while attempting to understand the transition of the states
towards accepting emerging initiatives and practical lessons for
sustainability. These studies help to bring forth the obstacles that hinder the
economic and social growth of the region such as high energy subsidies, low
prioritization of environmental sustainability, lowering rates of renewables,
and socio-political realities.
The papers have highlighted how the GCC
regions have initially been reluctant towards global sustainability agendas
which were supported by the developed countries. This has been despite the
progressiveness of the region towards the western hi-end technologies and
designing models. The GCC countries have taken such an approach to save their
carbon-based economies from being overtly depleted. But the region does not
have the luxury to take so much time in implementing measures of better
sustainability following the international standards.
Example
- the rising demands in limited sources of
energy has prompted Morocco to set hiked target for renewable energy sources of
50% by 2030, which is higher than any other GCC country. In countries like
Lebanon, the provision of basic education and food for the increasing
population (including refuges) is a driving factor for investments in
innovative projects like urban agriculture. In contrast, access to food, water
and energy along with amenities like fair salary structure and job
opportunities have been a privilege for the GCC citizens. The GCC regions are
now seeing sustainability as a policy important in the 21st century
and also as a necessary tool for sustaining the basic needs of a developing
economy to function (Juaidi amd et. Al 2016).
Apart from that, it is seen as a means for the states to gain an international
legitimacy in terms of being a globally responsible community.
1
CHALLENGES
1.1
CONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT
The last three decades have seen the GCC
countries experience remarkable economic growth, of which the results are
tangible in respect to urbanization challenges, increasing demands,
geographical changes and limitations of resources.
The countries have taken steps for controlling
the rapid development by reducing citizenships, residency rights, making
investments in local education sectors, promoting knowledge within local
workers and encouraging locals by providing incentives for working in private
sectors. These measures have been limited as the rate of consumption have not
been controlled and could not cater to rising needs completely. Alternative
measures are being reviewed to counter this problem, both in terms of the
environment as well as the economy.
Example
The
issue of rapid transformation towards urbanization in the GCC regions creating cultural
and design related identity crisis as well as coastal management and natural
hazards (Rizzo , 2017). Again, it has
placed the cities under the forefront of global development because they are no
longer just seen as places to stay, amenities and production. These cities are
now significantly influential in terms of political environment, curbing
international and national goals, as well as influencing outcomes of policies.
Transformation towards urbanization is a constantly changing process that has
reflected in various other regards of life in the gulf. These standards reflect
local cultures more than what has been taken from the western patterns, and
indicates towards progress.
2 UNNATURAL GROWTH LEADING TO
DEPLETING NATURAL
RESOURCES
The natural resources of the GCC region, due
to the unnatural rise in demands have been subjected to substantial threat.
Climate changes have provoked a bigger issue in the recent times. The existing
climate situations have a chance to limit the potential of future growth as the
region is exposed to man-made and natural environmental risks.
The need to manage the arising risks, along
with potential disasters cause by over-usage of natural resources has not
received the attention it required all along, while the region engaged in
policy-making. Water management, land resources and energy conserves need to be
taken care of with better policies in order to protect it from pre-mature
depletion.
The GCC countries need to include more risk
management systems within common practice to cater to the unnatural and natural
climate changes such as heatwaves, rise in sea levels, storms, oil spills,
cyberattacks, etc.
Example
- The
decrease in local agriculture has caused changes in the nature of food exports,
regional food quality, posing risks in food security. Due to this, the food
cost has risen, causing food security to be an issue in the GCC regions that
need to be tackled with future policies. This, if not taken care of, can
disrupt social contract as well as redistributive strategies which outline
society-state relations (Moghaddam et. al 2017).
The dependence on international markets for food, and increased food price have
caused political and macro-economic instabilities in the GCC regions. The
strategies taken up by GCC countries should encompass the agenda of improving
efficiency of using resources, conservation and protection, and coming up with
alternative resources for example, sustaining farming methods and reuse of
water.
1 BALANCING SUSTAINABLE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF
DEVELOPMENT
The sustainable responsibilities taken up by
the GCC countries do not fulfill the environmental concerns and utilize their natural
resources optimally. It happens because basic services needs to be maintained, the
capabilities of minor groups needs to be improved, and the international
sustainability agenda must be engaged at all cost. Rapid urbanization along
with economic and demographic growth has caused a challenge to keep up with
demands of fundamental services in the gulf region.
Example
- The
rising demand of electricity is proportional to the rise in temperature due to
climate change. The cost for electricity is rising due to higher use of air
conditioners and water desalination procedures. The region has initiated
methods to transform efficient renewable technology to achieve ecological
modernization, as well as abide by the global agenda of sustainability. In the
recent years gulf countries have shown better engagement in global
sustainability agendas by undertaking several reforms, realigning their
strategies with global goals and joining more international regimes.
The importance of social equity and equal
education, especially those
challenged by humanitarian conflicts is upheld by the civil society of the GCC
countries along with donor organizations. This includes the educational
programs for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The role of women, especially the
labor class, are mostly deprived of several rights in the gulf regions. As
basic as equal rights to pay, and protection at workplace, women face
inadequacies in their rights despite ongoing efforts of improvements.
Certain old themes such as economic diversification remain in the list of development strategies of the GCC countries. Since 1970’s very little has been done about this matter in their several attempts in catering to the issue. Since the decrease in the prices of oil from 2014, and current phase, GCC countries, in order to diversify their fuel-based economy, have invested large chunks of their petrol-dollars in start-ups in an attempt to encourage entrepreneur-ships. This is attempted to bring a hike in marketable research outcomes as well as increase job opportunities for locals. The shaking nature of the oil prices, the countries are more likely to ace problems if they depended solely on investments of public companies and state-run diversification initiatives. There is a need to deepen the financial market, make changes in the workforce, privatization and addressing political and legal issues to ensure private sector involvement. However, in recent years there has been considerable growth in the non-oil sector of the gulf region. Sectors such as mining and petrochemical industries in Saudi Arabia are emerging recently which have potential to help the economy. Other than that sectors such as real estate and tourism have chances. These however require factors such as transparency, residency rights and long-term security to flourish (Jayaraman and et. al 2015). Cultural diversity have allowed alcohol consumption, and has lifted restrictions on women and allowed non-Islamic sites of worship in places like UAE, Bahrain, etc. However the other countries need to make similar progress.
2
BREAKING POINTS AND CROSSROADS
The gulf economies have a very strong
commonality that connects them, and that is their religion, and the fact that
they are tribal people. Apart from that they all rely on the fossil fuels as
revenues, they export energy sources and import technology and labor. However,
some divergences are there in terms of sustainability policies. It is possible
that some environmental and political catalysts can change the relationship
status of the two countries.
It has been highlighted how GCC countries
along with the UAE stand out as rich and energy-sufficient countries with
global ambitions that tare stronger than others. They are even at a higher
state in terms of keeping engaged with global environmental policies. UAE has
been eager to explore the global scenario and embrace hi-end ideal patterns of
environment.
Example
- UAE
hosted the International Renewable Energy Agency headquarters in the city of
Masdar. This is a unique low-carbon mega project that supports the development
of ecological innovation. It is also one of the less number of Arab countries
to have taken up green-growth strategies, which is the main theme of the 2012 Rio plus20 conference
(Third Earth Summit).
This kind of engaging interactive event with
sustainable growth models form a striking example when compared to countries
such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia which are climate skeptic, and obstructed any
development in sectors of environmental sustainability or global issues of
climate change. Qatar has been involved in global agendas regarding climate
change, especially during the climate action talks before the drop of oil
prices in 2014. They held the 2012 conference on climate talks. As the only
exporter of natural resource in the region, Qatar, a small and rich country has
a bright chance of surpassing the UAE in terms of energy-efficient construction
of buildings, knowledge production and renewable targets.
Example
- the
UAE is hosting the World Expo of 2020 while Qatar is hosting the football World
Cup in 2022. The events indicate huge investments infrastructure, which are
obvious to bring about change, as they are faced with a challenge to live up to
a global standard of grandeur and technology for backing these events. Although
these mega events are criticized for being extravagant, they serve as a huge
part of competition between the two regions for domination the status symbol
icon in terms of economic model and lifestyle.
UAE is accepting towards a more westernized
model. This competition has a chance of setting the two regions at crossroads.
This is too early to predict the future of development in this region, but it
may act against cooperative measures to act towards environmental and economic
crisis in the gulf region.
Case studies show that there are several
warning signs for the gulf countries to be unable to change and cope with
economic demands, especially Saudi Arabia, where the rising demands in energy,
might dry up all the oil produced for the purpose of exports, well before it is
2030. Apart from that, the gulf countries may not be equipped for external
influences such as climate changes, economic uncertainty and depletion of
resources (Krane 2018).
Dubai’s crisis in debt is evident how improper
communication and lack of consultation with the investors have prolonged their
economic troubles as they were not aware of UAE’s increasing debt problems.
This posed questions at the substantial development and transparency of the region,
which are otherwise needed to stop hindering the flow of FDIs. Trust, stable
nature of politics and fundamental needs for human rights as also problems
which need to be considered before foreign investors involve in transactions.
Recent event of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, made international
investors raise their voices questioning the not just the authority of Mohammad
bin Salman, but also frowned upon the credibility of his innovative idea that
initially started with the aim of relaxing religious dogmas as well as making
economic diversification effective.
1 FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND LESSONS
FOR SUSTAINABILITY
1.1 WELCOMING TRANSITION
The economic, social and environmental aspects of policy-making considered by the GCC countries showcase a shift in nature. For instance, awareness programs, economic reforms for subsidies, increase in capacities of reuse and recycling in order to battle the high consumption issues are increasing in practice.
The governments
concerned are coming out in the open about their problems regarding
environmental issues as well as the economic crisis which will facilitate
higher chances of coming up with agendas to counter the crisis. However, the
eagerness to include transitions does not give us the picture of a future free
of these issues, yet. The major measures are centered on enhancing efficiency
and technology along with improving the capacity to produce knowledge about the
issues. There are emerging signs of transition towards ecological modernization
but it cannot be entirely linked to environmental issues entirely. However,
some trends like development of energy-incentive industries, supporting local
agriculture without developing water resources can mess up the whole transition
that has begun. The way in which resources can be secured in the gulf region is
by balancing the supply and demand working towards sustainable strategy of
using the resources (Brown and Al-Saidi 2018). The local agriculture can be
developed by means of sustainable options such as reusing water and other such
methods. However, this has faced several criticisms regarding its credibility
in the long run due to possibilities of food supply being subject to
politicization as well as other supply-chain issues that go beyond the control of
importers. The need is to form national policies that will identify products
for import, storage, and locally produced goods. Such policies are lacking not
only for food security issues but for climate change too.
1.2 COOPERATION
The sustainable development of a country is a
responsibility that must be taken by the entire society. It requires
partnerships among several stakeholders, including the private sector, government,
and other civil groups. GCC countries are yet to achieve effective partnerships
that are cross-sectoral. The predominant mode of work are still top-down
government-led strategies. The involvement of the private sector needs
improvement. There is a need to form partnerships with a common outlook to
ensure socially equitable, environmentally acceptable and economically sound
plans. As a first step, a change in the mindset of the Arab Forum for
Environment and Development is needed towards the approach of policy making (Al-Naqbi & Alshannag 2018). Further, local
partners are required to be involved more in making collaborations within the
local network to make sure that local needs are taken care of. There must be
continuation of working with local communities and maintaining an alignment
with their inventions. This will help to promote a ‘sustainability mindset’.
It is important to
understand that the most important part of partnerships lie in hands of the
generations who will carry forth these efforts and maintain them. Developing
efforts to educate the next generations cannot be exempted. Education efforts
and capacity development within local communities, universities, schools, and
general public around must be taken into consideration. People need to
understand the importance of these agendas for transformation, and recognize
how each one has an important role to play. For example, by implementing some
steps such as incorporating messages within the school curriculum, investing
in studying elective subjects in universities, assessing the religious
perspective on sustainability, urging further research, engaging influential
personalities and community leader to promote sustainable development measures.
Working from the lower levels to the upper levels will help to solidify the
efforts of the government and help to transform the policies into real time
practices and bring the people closer to the results.
1.3 INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND
INNOVATION i
The gulf countries need to put into effect means to encourage entrepreneurs’ efforts and make developments in the local markets, all of which will align with sustainable concepts and theories. The region however is still lagging in this sector. Clusters of skilled labors along with knowledge-production centers need to come into existence for infrastructure an innovation. This will help the capacity and efficiency of relevant technology to grow. The gulf countries need to invest in these sectors of fundamental and applied science along with advance information technology infrastructures. Comparative advantages can be provided by certain environmental technologies such as energy and desalination industries, because the region’s productions are relatively high. Use of renewable resources must be implemented as a way of improving and expanding agricultural productions where clean energy sources can be used.
However, the methods implemented must
ensure that non-renewable water resources are not over-used. Environmental
friendliness and efficiency can be factors kept in mind while industries
transform. Projects like building solar desalination plants such as in Saudi
Arabia, improving carbon capturing and storage in gas and oil industries in
Qatar are amazing examples. As discussed earlier, the GCC countries are putting
an emphasis on strengthening the education system, so that more number of local
citizens contribute towards making the gulf countries collectively a brighter
economy. The National Agenda of 2021 aims at UAE being transformed into a
knowledge-based economy, instead of just being known for the natural resources
they possess. This will be possible by promoting research and innovation,
strengthening frameworks to regulate such innovation and encouraging adding
value to the respective industry.
The policies on
innovation in the gulf countries need to include rules and regulations
regarding intellectual property rights, encouragement and incentives for
development and research, procuring sophisticated products by the government
and openness towards international trades and investments. These policies
should be linked to training programme, networks for entrepreneurs,
availability of capital providers during risks and provisions for start-up
infrastructures. Right now the number of new firms in the gulf countries is low
despite their substantial expenditure on innovations. There is no such evidence
of a well-developed environment of learning for the locals or aspirants for
further research (Al-Zo’by 2019). To ensure a holistic reading of the
sustainable development, a new research culture is very essential to set a
right path in the coming future. This will help to address the problems where
the research will come up with a more solution-oriented outcome, aligning to the
local contextual needs and realities. This will make the process of
policy-making much more effective and will help better involvement of the local
community, rather than having them as mere targets or subjects.
1.1
PRESERVING IDENTITY AND COHESIVE SOCIETY
The UAE’s National Agenda, is the Vision 202,
which strives to attain and preserve a viscosity society that will be proud of
its identity. A sense of inclusiveness in the environment with regards to all
the segments of the society will help to preserve UAE’s unique culture,
traditions and heritage, while reinforcing social and familial cohesion. Apart
from that, the National Agenda aims at making UAE one of the highest ranked
countries in the index of Human Development.
1.1
SAFE AND FAIR JUDICIARY
The aim of the National Agenda 2021 for the
UAE is to reinforce safe and fair, equal and transparent judgement for all.
This will ensure that the legal systems are strengthened. This will help future
policies and protection of rights to function more smoothly. Food safety and
other issues such as rules regarding security services will be implemented more
smoothly if the judiciary acts justly.
1.2
COMPETITIVE KNOWLEDGE
As discussed earlier, the GCC countries are
putting an emphasis on strengthening the education system, so that more number
of local citizens contribute towards making the gulf countries collectively a
brighter economy. The National Agenda of 2021 aims at UAE being transformed
into a knowledge-based economy, instead of just being known for the natural
resources they possess. by promoting research and innovation, strengthening frameworks
to regulate such innovation and encouraging adding value to the respective
industry (Al-Saidi and Saliba 2019). Apart from the above directions that UAE
has taken up towards sustainable development, the Dubai Municipality, being one
of the largest public sectors in the UAE, plays a huge role in this
developmental process. The five years (2016-2021) strategic plans serves both
the aims of the UAE Vision 2021 as well as the Dubai Plan 2021. A department
specially taking care of the sustainable developments being made in the gulf
has been formed in the year 2016, which is focused on the above discussed
factors and future prospects. The major roles include:
·
Monitoring,
formulating and implementing the sustainability-related projects, while keeping
in consideration the best global practices.
·
Managing
the complete life-cycle of renewable and sustainable energy projects, alongside
taking care of the international and domestic stakeholders’ engagements.
·
Raising
awareness on issues of sustainability and renewable energy projects.
·
Adopting
new strategies that are focused on future developments and reviewing and
implementing new initiatives for sustainable practices.
Some of the sample projects include:
·
Solar
power generation for treating sewage
·
Sewage
Treatment Plant converting Bio-gas to Energy
·
Landfill
Gas to Energy
2
CONCLUSION
The private sectors
of UAE have contributed majorly to the sustainable development of the country
which includes driving critical SDGs such as sanitation and clean water,
responsible production and consumption, and climate action. Companies, in the
process of transformation have faced several challenges which need to be addressed
for future progress. The challenges mostly adhere to lack of awareness on
priorities related to sustainability, under-developed governance and isolated
attempts. Although market players are getting aware more and more about
sustainable developments, some of them are yet to incorporate the SDGs into
their strategies. However, the private sectors of UAE have started to address
these challenges more intelligently now, working closely with the existing
government. Capitalization and maintenance on this collaboration is a key to
overcome all the challenges and embracing further sustainable developments in
the UAE.
REFERENCES
Jemni, M., Khribi, K.,
Othman, A., Elghoul, O., & Jaballah, K. (2016). AlecsoApps: Toward
empowering mobile applications development in the Arab world. In State-of-the-art
and future directions of smart learning (pp. 87-93). Springer,
Singapore.
Juaidi, A., Montoya, F. G.,
Gázquez, J. A., & Manzano-Agugliaro, F. (2016). An overview of energy
balance compared to sustainable energy in United Arab Emirates. Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 55, 1195-1209.
Rizzo, A. (2017).
Sustainable urban development and green megaprojects in the Arab states of the
Gulf Region: limitations, covert aims, and unintended outcomes in Doha,
Qatar. International Planning Studies, 22(2), 85-98.
Moghaddam, V. K., Changani,
F., Mohammadi, A., Hadei, M., Ashabi, R., Majd, L. E., & Mahvi, A. H.
(2017). Sustainable development of water resources based on wastewater reuse
and upgrading of treatment plants: a review in the Middle East. Desalination
and water treatment, 65, 463-473.
Jayaraman, R., Colapinto,
C., La Torre, D., & Malik, T. (2015). Multi-criteria model for sustainable
development using goal programming applied to the United Arab Emirates. Energy
Policy, 87, 447-454. Hanieh, A. (2016). 19. Inequalities in the
Arab region. World social science report, 2016: Challenging
inequalities; pathways to a just world, 101.
Krane, J. (2018). “Political Enablers of
Energy Subsidy Reform in Middle Eastern oil Exporters.” Nature Energy 3 (7):
547–552.
Al-Naqbi, A. K., &
Alshannag, Q. (2018). The status of education for sustainable development and
sustainability knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of UAE University
students. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 19(3),
566-588.
Al-Zo’by, M. (2019). “Culture and the
Politics of Sustainable Development in the GCC: Identity between Heritage and
Globalisation.” Development in Practice 29 (5): 559–569.
Al-Saidi, M., and S. Saliba.( 2019). “Water,
Energy and Food Supply Security in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Countries-A Risk Perspective.” Water 11 (3): 455.
Brown, J., P. Das, and M. Al-Saidi. (2018).
“Sustainable Agriculture in the
Arabian/Persian Gulf Region Utilizing Marginal Water Resources: Making
the Best of a Bad Situation.” Sustainability 10 (5): 1364.
Comments
Post a Comment