Goal 13
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 13: Climate Action in Bahrain and Government Initiatives
Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As a small island nation, Bahrain is particularly vulnerable to climate change, including risks from rising sea levels, extreme heat, and reduced water availability. In response, the Ministry of Environment, along with other government bodies, has implemented policies and initiatives to mitigate climate impacts, promote sustainability, and improve resilience.
Key government initiatives supporting SDG 13 in Bahrain include:
National Climate Action Plan: Bahrain’s National Climate Action Plan (NCAP) outlines the country’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and transition to sustainable practices. The plan includes specific targets for emission reductions across sectors like energy, transportation, and industry, aligning with Bahrain’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: To reduce dependency on fossil fuels, Bahrain is investing in renewable energy, particularly solar power. The Ministry of Environment and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) are leading efforts to increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency in public infrastructure, industries, and households. These initiatives support Bahrain’s climate goals by lowering emissions and promoting cleaner energy sources.
Coastal Protection and Resilience Projects: Given Bahrain’s vulnerability to rising sea levels, the government has launched projects to protect coastal areas and mitigate flooding risks. Coastal resilience plans include constructing sea walls, managing coastal land use, and restoring mangrove ecosystems, which serve as natural buffers against storms and rising tides. These efforts contribute to Bahrain’s climate adaptation and resilience objectives.
Public Awareness and Community Engagement: The Ministry of Environment conducts awareness campaigns to educate the public about climate change and sustainable practices. Through community workshops, educational programs, and public service announcements, citizens are encouraged to adopt eco-friendly habits, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible consumption.
Partnerships and International Collaboration: Bahrain collaborates with international organizations, including the United Nations and regional environmental bodies, to address climate change. These partnerships support knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and funding for climate-related projects. Bahrain’s participation in global climate forums allows the country to stay informed on best practices and align with global climate action efforts.
Through these initiatives, Bahrain demonstrates its commitment to SDG 13 by promoting climate resilience, investing in sustainable energy, and raising public awareness about the impacts of climate change.
SDG 13 at Ahlia University: Promoting Climate Awareness and Sustainable Practices
Ahlia University in Bahrain contributes to SDG 13 by promoting climate action awareness, encouraging sustainable practices on campus, and engaging students in discussions on climate change. The university’s commitment to climate action aligns with Bahrain’s national goals and fosters a culture of environmental responsibility within the academic community.
Climate Awareness and Education Programs: Ahlia University incorporates climate change and sustainability topics into its curriculum, particularly in programs related to environmental science, business, and engineering. Through lectures, projects, and seminars, students learn about the effects of climate change, renewable energy solutions, and the importance of sustainable development.
Campus Sustainability Initiatives: The university implements sustainable practices on campus to reduce its environmental footprint. Energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction efforts, and responsible water use are part of the university’s commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment. These initiatives serve as practical examples for students, demonstrating how institutions can contribute to climate action.
Research and Innovation in Climate Solutions: Ahlia University supports research on topics related to climate change, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. Faculty and students collaborate on research projects that address Bahrain’s unique climate challenges, such as water scarcity, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban planning. These research initiatives contribute valuable knowledge to Bahrain’s climate action efforts.
Student-Led Environmental Clubs and Campaigns: Ahlia University’s student clubs organize activities focused on climate awareness and sustainable practices. Events such as eco-friendly workshops, tree-planting drives, and waste reduction campaigns engage students in hands-on climate action. These clubs provide students with opportunities to actively participate in projects that support SDG 13 and raise awareness on climate issues.
Partnerships with Environmental Organizations: Ahlia University collaborates with local environmental organizations and government agencies to support climate initiatives. These partnerships allow students and faculty to engage in community projects, gain insights from climate experts, and participate in national and regional discussions on sustainability.
Through these efforts, Ahlia University aligns with SDG 13 by promoting climate awareness, supporting sustainable campus practices, and encouraging research on climate solutions. The university’s commitment to climate action not only enhances its educational mission but also prepares students to become responsible and informed advocates for a sustainable future in Bahrain and beyond.
Environmental management and sustainable development
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/environmental-management-sustainable-development/
Seminar: Environmental management and sustainable development.
Lecturer: Prof. Amer Al-Roubaie
Venue: Ahlia University
Date: 29/3/2016
Buildings and Utilities
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/ahlia-university-sustainability/sustainability-in-operations/
Sustainability in building and utilities recognizes that institution need to take all sorts of steps to lighten the footprint of its infrastructure.
For example, Ahila University is committed to sustainability
through the following:
* Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of
greenhouse gas emissions on campus.
* Buildings also use significant amounts of potable water.
* To reduce electricity consumption all campus lighting system uses
LED lights (Light Emitting Diode) which is recommended by Bahrain
electricity and water authority.
* Housing the university in Gosi complex where there is efficient use of water,
automated lighting facility, clean environment within Gosi Complex, and the use
of transparent roof to ensure efficient use of sunlight and lesser use of
electricity.
* Encouraging recycling of paper and other products in the operations of the
University and improving the service to the students and other stakeholders
using modern technology that removes the use of paper, pen and other resources.
Institutions can design, build, and maintain buildings in ways that provide a safe and healthy indoor environment for inhabitants while simultaneously mitigating the building’s impact on the outdoor environment. Sustainability is a core commitment in AU’s Master Plan, and is taken into account in all infrastructure decisions related to the new campus in Northern City. AU also has a comprehensive set of Design Standards which it adheres to in its Project Management.
Transportation
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/ahlia-university-sustainability/sustainability-in-operations/
Ahlia University subscribes to the use of sustainability
concept in the transportation sector.
Ahlia University is housed in a premises that has parking for cycles (photos
can be given). This encourages people to use cycles. Some foreign students from
France who studied at Ahlia University were using cycles to commute between
their flat and the university.
Ahlia University is located in a place where upto 25% of their staff are located within walking distance from the university. This obviates the need to provide transportation to those staff.
Ahlia encourages its staff to use public transport. It allocates transportation allowance to a majority of its staff that could meet the transportation expenses when travelling by public transport.
Ahlia provides sharing bus services to transport students where possible. Although in Bahrain petrol is cheap, Ahlia University uses buses to transport staff and students on occasions when groups have to travel.
Ahlia is located in a place where parking is managed based on the optimum requirement. This enables students and staff to share cars so that parking space problems are avoided. In addition, Ahlia University schedules the classes in the timetable based on the availability of resources including parking space. This makes it possible to efficiently use parking space.
In addition, Ahlia University organizes and encourages participation of its faculty and staff in transportation sustainability related conferences and seminars (recent papers in WASD Conference).
Almost all cars used by Ahlia staff are eco-friendly and conform to international emission standards. This supports a clean environment with very little environment pollution. In addition cars in use need to be energy efficient and meet the standards of the traffic directorate in Bahrain.
Environmental Awareness Day
ABOUT AHLIA UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/ahlia-university-sustainability/about-ahlia-university-sustainability/
Ahlia University recognizes its responsibility to support the society in their transition toward sustainability. To create a more sustainable future, AU generates the needed knowledge and cultivate citizens and leaders who have the skills and commitment to put that knowledge into practice. The decisions and actions taken by AU reflects its role and duty to the current and future generations. The University provides the strategic guidance, support, and resources to be an institutional model of sustainability for society. In partnership with students, staff, and faculty, we advance the vision for sustainable research, education, connectivity, operations, and governance. As a leading institution for higher education, Ahlia University’s Mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and elevate the social and living standards of the society.
In support of this mission, the University is committed to:
Producing graduates who are distinguished by their professional competence, humanistic outlook and uncompromising ethics.
Thus, Ahlia University believes in the three dimensions of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental which are embedded in its adopted approach. Sustainability in Ahlia University is framed around research, education, connectivity, operations and governance & administration through which the University can make a difference to society and move toward a sustainable future.
Bahrain Government Initiatives
There is no country in the world that is not experiencing first-hand the drastic effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and are now more than 50 percent higher than their 1990 level. Further, global warming is causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which threatens irreversible consequences if we do not act now.
The annual average losses from earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones and flooding amount to hundreds of billions of dollars, requiring an investment of US$6 billion annually in disaster risk management alone. The goal aims to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries and help mitigate climate-related disasters.
The Arab region is seeing temperatures rise faster than the global average, with temperatures expected to possibly rising as much as 4’C by end of the century. Droughts are already more frequent and severe, with agricultural output possibly decreasing by 20% in value by 2080 and climate change leading to a 20% reduction of renewable water by 2030. Climate-induced displacement is a special threat, from both droughts and sea-level rise, with about 9% of the population in coastal zones five meters or less below sea level. All Arab countries have now issued national plans (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement to scale-up investments into climate resilience.
Helping more vulnerable regions, such as landlocked countries and island states, adapt to climate change must go hand in hand with efforts to integrate disaster risk measures into national strategies. It is still possible, with the political will and a wide array of technological measures, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This requires urgent collective action [3].
Government:
The greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are now at their highest levels in history. Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people and communities.
People are experiencing the significant impacts of climate change, which include changing weather patterns, rising sea level, and more extreme weather events. Without action, the world’s average surface temperature is projected to rise over the 21st century and is likely to surpass 3 degrees Celsius this century.
Given the impact of climate change on economic development, natural resources and poverty; its treatment has become a complex element in the achievement of sustainable development. It is an issue that requires solutions that need to be coordinated to change the climate inexpensively. Progress achieved during the past decades is compounded due to this phenomenon.’
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Responsible Entities to Achieve the Goal and Monitor Achievement Levels:
’ Supreme Council for Environment
’ Ministry of Interior
’ Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning
Policies and Strategies Supporting the Thirteenth Goal
The Kingdom of Bahrain is exerting great efforts to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources. Through these efforts, the Kingdom aims to ensure the sustainability of the development process in many fields, and this has been reflected in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the National Action Charter through directing the efforts towards achieving the balance between the protection of the environment and the development requirements, and the alignment with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Government Action Plan 2015-2018. The Kingdom is committed to these efforts to protect the environment, its resources, and systems and to preserve the diversity of the natural resources to ensure the continuity and the sustainability of the natural balance.
As a result, the Kingdom of Bahrain has established many governmental institutions, organizations, and committees to develop the programs, policies, and strategies to achieve sustainability in its various dimensions. It has also enacted a number of laws and regulations related to the achievement of sustainable development, which has become an international demand in the midst of the current economic, political and social changes that the global community witnesses currently. In addition, the Kingdom has participated in several multilateral agreements, and the Kingdom has continued to meet its commitments under these agreements, with a focus on raising public awareness and building national capacities in the fields related to the environment.
A number of other initiatives have been implemented in the Kingdom to support the protection and preservation of the environment. For further information, please visit the following:
’ Bahrain National Environment Strategy
’ Climate Action in Bahrain
’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030
’ Millennium Development Goals Report
’ The Supreme Council for Environment
’ Progress in the Area of Sustainable Development to Protect the Environment and Natural Resources
’ Recognized and Award-Winning efforts
’ Environment Protection Decrees and Decisions
’ Conferences and Agreements
’ United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment)
The Kingdom of Bahrain has many specialized institutions operating in recycling and reuse of waste. Some of the examples are: Alfa Express Co [5], Falcon Factory [6], Bahrain Contract Cleaning [7], Nidukki [8], Gulf City Cleaning Company [9], Merc Company [10], Bahrain Waste Treatment Company, Sphinx Services [11], Bahrain Recycling Plant [12] and others.
Recycling electronic waste
The recycling project of the eWastes seeks to repair and renew the old IT tools to help the Bahraini society to reach a green environment. The general concept of e-waste recycling means to collect the used computers and then to donate them later to the NGOs and the needy families. One of the reasons for this project in the Kingdom is the absence of the appropriate e-waste treatment methods, as the life of using the electronic equipment cannot be extended for more than seven to nine years because of the included hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. The project includes the sale of usable parts to the electronics repair shops, while the unusable components are sold to the recycling companies. The project has contributed to raising the rating of the Kingdom in the field of e-waste recycling technology from stage 1 to stage 3 according to the Centre for Environment Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE).
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