SDG 15: Life on Land in Bahrain and Government Initiatives

 

Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss. In Bahrain, where arid conditions and limited natural habitats present unique environmental challenges, the government prioritizes ecosystem conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable land management. The Ministry of Environment, along with the Supreme Council for Environment, leads efforts to preserve Bahrain’s terrestrial ecosystems and protect the country’s biodiversity.

 

Key government initiatives supporting SDG 15 include:

 

Protection of Natural Reserves: Bahrain has established protected areas to conserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and preserve important habitats. These reserves, including the Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve, safeguard native plant and animal species by restricting human activity and providing a controlled environment for ecosystem conservation. These protected areas support biodiversity by preserving desert landscapes, native plants, and wildlife.

 

Afforestation and Green Belt Initiatives: The Bahraini government has launched afforestation projects aimed at expanding green spaces and combating desertification. Tree-planting campaigns, green belts around urban areas, and landscaping projects improve air quality, reduce soil erosion, and provide habitats for local flora and fauna. These initiatives contribute to the greening of Bahrain’s landscapes and the enhancement of urban biodiversity.

 

Combatting Desertification: Given Bahrain’s dry climate, desertification is a significant concern. The government has introduced soil conservation practices, water-efficient agricultural techniques, and sustainable land use policies to combat desertification. These efforts help protect arid and semi-arid lands, maintain soil quality, and prevent further degradation of Bahrain’s limited land resources.

 

Endangered Species Protection: Bahrain has enacted legislation and programs to protect endangered species and their habitats. Conservation projects focus on protecting species like the Arabian oryx, houbara bustard, and native reptiles and birds. Through habitat preservation and breeding programs, the government works to prevent the extinction of these species, contributing to biodiversity preservation.

 

Public Awareness and Education: The Ministry of Environment organizes public awareness campaigns and educational programs to inform citizens about biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices. These programs encourage community participation in environmental preservation, such as planting native trees, reducing waste, and protecting local wildlife. Community engagement is essential for fostering a sense of environmental responsibility among Bahraini citizens.

 

International Cooperation and Conservation Partnerships: Bahrain collaborates with regional and international organizations to address global biodiversity challenges. Partnerships with groups like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations facilitate knowledge sharing, access to resources, and support for conservation projects, strengthening Bahrain’s capacity to protect terrestrial ecosystems.

 

Through these initiatives, Bahrain is actively working to protect and restore its terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, and preserve biodiversity, in alignment with the goals of SDG 15.

 

SDG 15 at Ahlia University: Promoting Biodiversity and Environmental Stewardship

 

Ahlia University in Bahrain supports SDG 15 by promoting environmental awareness, conducting research on biodiversity conservation, and encouraging sustainable practices among its students, staff, and faculty. The university’s commitment to environmental stewardship aligns with Bahrain’s national goals for biodiversity protection and sustainable land management.

 

Environmental Education and Awareness Programs: Ahlia University integrates biodiversity and ecosystem conservation into its academic curriculum, especially in programs related to environmental science and biology. Through lectures, workshops, and seminars, students learn about the importance of biodiversity, the impact of human activities on terrestrial ecosystems, and the need for sustainable practices.

 

Research on Local Biodiversity: Ahlia University supports research projects focused on Bahrain’s terrestrial ecosystems, native species, and environmental challenges. Faculty and students work together to study local biodiversity, explore sustainable land management practices, and develop strategies to mitigate desertification. By conducting research on Bahrain’s unique ecosystems, Ahlia University contributes to the scientific knowledge required for effective environmental conservation.

 

Campus Green Initiatives: Ahlia University promotes green initiatives on campus to support biodiversity and sustainable land management. Tree-planting campaigns, landscaping projects, and the creation of green spaces provide habitats for small wildlife and promote a natural environment on campus. These initiatives not only enhance the campus’s green areas but also raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity.

 

Student Environmental Clubs and Community Engagement: The university’s student clubs actively engage in environmental conservation activities, such as community tree-planting drives, biodiversity awareness campaigns, and clean-up initiatives. These activities encourage students to take part in conserving terrestrial ecosystems and understanding their role in protecting biodiversity, aligning with SDG 15.

 

Collaboration with Environmental Organizations: Ahlia University partners with local and regional environmental organizations to support conservation efforts. These collaborations allow students and faculty to participate in initiatives that promote biodiversity, such as wildlife protection, reforestation, and public awareness campaigns, providing hands-on experience in environmental stewardship.

 

Through these initiatives, Ahlia University actively contributes to SDG 15 by fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, promoting biodiversity awareness, and supporting research on ecosystem conservation. The university’s efforts align with Bahrain’s national priorities for sustainable land management, helping to prepare a generation of environmentally conscious leaders who can contribute to protecting Bahrain’s natural heritage.

Building and Utilities

https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/buildings-and-utilities/

 

Sustainability in building and utilities recognizes that institutions need to take all sorts of steps to lighten the footprint of their infrastructure. Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on campuses. Buildings also use significant amounts of potable water.

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. AU also has a comprehensive set of Design Standards which it adheres to in its Project Management.

 

Ahlia University is Looking to Install Solar Panels for Clean Energy, renewable Energy and Sustainable Development Conference’[1].

SUSTAINABILITY IN OPERATIONS

Sustainability in operations encompasses the physical activities that support the ongoing functioning of the university. Acknowledging the finite limits of the planet, we have re-oriented many activities carried out by or on behalf of AU to minimize their impact and maximize their contribution to resilient, just and flourishing human and ecological systems. We recognize that this is a responsibility shared by all members of the AU community to understand and embrace the role that they play. We consider all activities in light of their life cycle and in light of the question, ’Is this really needed?’ Operations at AU are closely integrated with research and education as a mutually beneficial system that encourages adaptation and improvement.

’         Waste at the University is collected by specialized waste management companies for recycling purpose. Different type of wastes are collected in special containers to be delivered to the recycled waste management companies.

Figure 2 image from’[2]

 

’         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’[2]:

 

Figure 3 image from’[2]

 

o   Buildings are generally the largest user of energy and the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on campus.

o   Buildings also use significant amounts of potable water.

o   To reduce electricity consumption all campus’ lighting system uses’ LED lights (Light Emitting Diode) which is recommended by Bahrain electricity and water authority’[2].

o   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’[2].

o   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’[2].

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’[2].

’         Ahlia is committed to ensure that it uses energy saving methods on its campus, apply renewable energy concepts and encourage energy saving across the campus. Examples include:
The campus is housed in a building where use of sunlight as the source of light during day time is evident. The roof is transparent and sunlight lights the entire campus. Photographs of the campus indicating the use of transparent roofs could be provided. During winter, the transparent roof enables the Sun to warm up the campus eliminating the need to use heaters. The use of translucent glasses as partitions in all classrooms and office spaces alongside large transparent glass windows to allow sunlight to pass through and make the classrooms and office rooms bright. Photographs can be given’[2].

 

The appliances in the classrooms like computers and projectors are equipped with automatic switch-off facilities when not in use. This saves electrical energy.

The campus is housed in a building that uses electrical devises that are energy conserving like LED bulbs. There is an automatic lighting and switching off mechanism provided in Gosi that switches on the lights of the corridor automatically when sun sets and switches off when sun rises. It is governed by a timer device. At midnight all corridor lights are automatically switched off every day saving electrical energy’[2].

 

Security staff have been strictly instructed to monitor the premises to see unattended office rooms and classrooms where electrical power consuming devices like air-conditioners and lamps that are not controlled automatically are switched off. Recently there was a seminar on Indian economy conducted by Indian Embassy that highlighted sustainability as a need of the hour which indicates that we encourage sustainability. UN participated in this seminar. We are committed to adopt sustainable energy conserving mechanisms in our new campus’[2].

 

In addition, Ahlia organizes conferences and seminars where research findings are presented and knowledge on energy sustainability is disseminated. Examples of papers that addressed energy sustainability are available:

Figure 4 image from’[2]

 

Figure 5 image from’[2]

 

Figure 6 image from’[2]

 

Figure 7 image from’[2]

 

’         Water sustainability efforts of Ahlia are visible as follows:

Use of water within Ahlia campus is ensured to be optimum. For instance cleaning of the premises is done by efficient machines that use minimum water to clean. By this method water saving is achieved to the tune of at least 80%. Similarly only mopping practices are used to minimize water consumption.

Debris are usually brushed and water is seldom used to clean debris. No hose is used to clean floors and parts of the building with water.

Automatic devices are used in rest rooms to minimse the quantity of water used in flushing. Where plants are used, water spraying techniques are used to minimize consumption of water. Plants used within campus are those that consume lower quantity of water (photo of plants). Full-fledged maintenance team ensures that any leakage of water is addressed quickly (Gosi maintenance).

At the macro level, the university is building a campus that is designed to consume minimum quantity of water and is expected to use water saving methods in watering plants, cleaning premises and support human requirements. The campus is envisaged to be eco-friendly.

In addition, Ahlia organizes conferences and seminars where research findings are presented and knowledge on water sustainability is disseminated. Examples of papers that addressed water sustainability are available:

Figure 8 image from’[2]

 

 

 

Ahlia is committed to delivering using dimming methods on her campus, attributing renewable enhancement concepts, and encouraging piggy bank pedantry across campus. Examples include: The campus is located in a building where it is reliable to use paving light as a light source during the day. The outline is translucent and the paving light illuminates the entire campus. Photographs of the campus could be provided indicating the use of transparent roofs. During the winter, the pristine border allows the sun to warm the campus eliminating the urge to benefit from heaters. The use of translucent glass as partitions in all classrooms and immediate dependency spaces with large crystalline telescope windows to allow sunlight to pass through and make classrooms and branch rooms brighter. Photographs can be submitted.

Classroom appliances, such as computers and projectors, are equipped with unconscious matte devices when not in use. This saves electrical involvement. The campus is housed in an architecture that uses ceremony-saving electrical devices such as LED bulbs. There is a necessary gloss and finish mechanism enthroned in Gosi that turns the room settings on automatically when the sun goes down and turns off when the sun rises. It is governed by a timer machine. At midnight, all aisle scopes are automatically turned off every day, saving electrical stress .

The fluent freelancer has been strictly enlightened to monitor facilities to view unattended establishment rooms and classrooms where power-consuming devices such as face conditioners and lamps that are not self-controlled are turned off. Recently, there was a faculty on Indian Capital packed by the Embassy of India that highlighted sustainability as an emergency of the moment, indicating that we encourage sustainability. UN participated in this genius. We are committed to protecting sustainable pedantry conservation mechanisms on our recent campus .

 

Bahrain Government Initiatives

Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihoods. Plantlife provides 80 percent of our human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resource and means of development. Forests account for 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, providing vital habitats for millions of species and important sources for clean air and water; as well as being crucial for combating climate change.

 

Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation, and the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. Drought and desertification is also on the rise each year, amounting to the loss of 12 million hectares and affects poor communities globally. Of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 percent are extinct and 22 percent are at risk of extinction.

 

About 80% of the Arab region is made up of dryland ecosystems, particularly fragile with converging risks from climate change. Threatened species in the region stand at over 1,000, with a majority being critically endangered. Of these, 24% are fish, 22% birds, and 20% mammals. Arab countries have made efforts to preserve their biodiversity, including through the expansion of protected areas and sustainable use regimes in key ecosystems such as oases. As a percentage of total territorial area, protected areas grew from 3.21% in 1990 to 9.28% in 2012.

 

The SDGs aim to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, drylands, and mountains by 2020. Halting deforestation is also vital to mitigating the impact of climate change. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage [3].

 

Figure 9 Image from [3]

 

Government’[4]

Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface and in addition to providing food security and shelter, forests are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and the homes of the indigenous population.’ Thirteen million hectares of forests are being lost every year while the persistent degradation of dry lands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares.

 

Deforestation and desertification ’ caused by human activities and climate change ’ pose major challenges to sustainable development and have affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the fight against poverty. Efforts are being made to manage forests and combat desertification.

’

Responsible Entities to Achieve the Goal and Monitor Achievement Levels:

’         Supreme Council for Environment

’         Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning

 

Figure 10 Image from [4]