by maildunais | 25 Feb 2021 | Omar Al-Ubaydli
Many GCC governments have established or are in the process of establishing behavioural economics (“nudge”) units as an additional instrument of policymaking, with the support of Western experts. With sustainability considerations becoming more central in the policy development process, nudging has a key role to play in effectively changing citizen behaviour. Yet local specificities mean that replicating models which have worked abroad is fraught with risk: social habits among GCC citizens can result in nudge campaigns having the opposite effects to the ones intended. In this context, it is essential to leverage local expertise to ensure campaigns are effectively delivered and government efficiency is maximized.
by maildunais | 26 Jan 2021 | Martin Keulertz
While GCC states have proven food-resilient during Covid-19, the looming effects of climate change on food security warrant efforts to develop adapted environmental and trade policies. In particular, GCC states need to place more emphasis on trade relations, yet also understanding the climate risks in producing countries to ensure future supply chain sustainability and thus food security.
by maildunais | 4 Dec 2020 | Giacomo Luciani
The global trend to decarbonize economies is set to have a direct impact on the oil-exporting countries of the Gulf. The latter can however mitigate and potentially profit from this trend if they decisively act and invest in carbon capture use and sequestration (CCUS) technology, thus securing and projecting a long-term future for hydrocarbons as a valuable and sustainable economic resource.
by maildunais | 1 Nov 2020 | Kate Dourian
Covid-19 has accelerated the will of many countries to engage in a “green recovery” with a reduced reliance on fossil fuels and in particular oil and coal. Given the abundant gas reserves in the Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean, and the need for a pragmatic approach to climate change mitigation, Gulf countries could lead the development of a regional gas-grid.
by maildunais | 29 Oct 2020 | Insights
In light of China’s expected push to full technology independence, GCC States would be well advised to conduct thorough reviews of the security implications of their technological partnerships with China, if only from the perspective of the ramifications this may have on their relationship with the United States.
