Natural Resource Governance Program
Rapid economic and demographic growth, anthropogenic drivers as well as climate related drivers are increasing pressures on naturally scarce water and land resources in the Arabian Gulf countries. The abundancy of fossil fuel reserves together with the integration in the global trade and technology-based economy are compensating for water and land shortages, allowing for food and technology imports, maintaining state-of-the-art infrastructure and influencing the inflow of expatriate workforces. The State of Qatar has thus embarked on an ambitious National Vision for 2030 focusing on economic transformation, building capacities through human and social development and protecting important environmental resources. The Natural Resource Governance Program aims at establishing excellent, collaborative research endeavors in order to analyze the drivers, governance challenges and solutions related to natural resources use and economic transformation.
Research areas
-Sustainability transition, economic diversification and decarbonization: This transition exhibits modernization efforts through mega-projects, the installment of resource efficient technologies, urban infrastructure development and updating human capacities in order to create a knowledge-based economy. The transition process need to be understood in light of the global change and sustainability agenda.
-Economic reforms and incentives for efficient resource allocation: The actors, motivation and reform initiatives behind the complex system of public sector leadership, welfare policies and wide-ranging subsidies require detailed analyses concerning their socio-economic impact and the resulting challenges for sustainability, resource efficiency and economic transformation.
-Policy integration and planning for the water-energy-food Nexus: The water, energy and food resources are becoming highly integrated in the Arabian Gulf. For example, water and energy production systems are coupled in co-production plants for power and desalinated water, as well as the production of alternative/renewable supply sources for water, energy and food.
-Consumption patterns, awareness and public engagement: Education and awareness are key for changing the sustainability practices in the Arabian Gulf region. They require supporting infrastructure, awareness, local markets for sustainable products, incentives for sustainability innovations and platforms for sustainability dialogues.
