Is Bahrain inhabitants’

lifestyle in line with concepts of sustainable development?

What should be improved?

Introduction What is sustainable development? Bahrain at a glance Bahrain at a glance – revisited Sustainable development opportunities How to improve?

What is sustainable development?

UN definition: “The use of renewable and non-renewable resources in a manner that meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Brundtland Report - 1987

What is sustainable development?

Environment

EconomicSocial

Bahrain at a glance Kingdom of Bahrain Capital city: Manama Independent since August 1970 Population: 1.4 Mio GDP: 31.1 Bio USD 60+% of the population is below 30

years Banking & financial services center Home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet

Bahrain at a glance

Bahrain at a glance - revisited

- Water contamination

- No public sewage system

- No water treatment facility

Bahrain at a glance - revisited

- Oversized, fuel-inefficient cars

- No efficient public transport

- No car technical control

Bahrain at a glance - revisited

- No stringent construction guidelines

- No insulation

- Poor energy efficiency

- No calcium water treatment

Bahrain at a glance - revisited

- Poor initiatives for sorting of waste

- No re-use or recycling of waste

Bahrain at a glance - revisited

- Expansion through land

reclaim

- Potable water through

desalination

- Desertification

Conclusion

TIME FOR ACTION

NOW

Sustainable development opportunities

SHORT TERM Define clear vision & communicate plan Build guiding coalition with key

stakeholders

Promote energy efficiency (water, electricity)

Motivate and facilitate the sorting of waste Segregate hazardous waste Sanction inadequate personal behavior

MEDIUM TERM Support energy-efficient house construction

sustainable insulation low-energy lighting specifications natural light optimization central air-conditioning (rather than split units) low flow faucets and toilets smart appliances, smart meters, etc.

Promote local fishermen & organic farming Develop reliable public transport

Sustainable development opportunities

LONG TERM Control & contain desertification Use renewable energy sources (sun, wind) Recycle waste into valuables Change people’s mentality Create civic engagement

Sustainable development opportunities

How to improve?

People seldom change their behavior all at once, but rather go through predictable phases:

AWARENESS

INTEREST

EVALUATION

ADOPTION

How to improve?AWARENESS

Public information campaigns close or repair water tap switch off stand-by power switch off light when leaving segregate common waste etc.

Educate population in ludic manner

How to improve?INTEREST

Increase price of utilities Reduce plastic bag consumption Promote recyclable packaging Engage in education at school level Reward ‘early adopters’

How to improve?EVALUATION

Continuously measure and monitor Evaluate progress towards objectives Fine-tune, re-assess, emphasize, … Communicate results

How to improve?ADOPTION

Top-down implementation “Reduce – Re-use – Recycle” is the norm Sanction incoherent behavior

Recycling 'to be compulsory'

Gulf Daily News,  Posted on » Wednesday, October 02,

2013

UAE announced a plan to ban all plastic carrier bags

by 2013 Arabian Business, Feb 2010