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
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