Development drivers of the water-energy-food nexus in the Gulf Cooperation Council region

ABSTRACT

This article analyses water, food, and energy security in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries using the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus approach. The innovative focus is on identifying past and future development-based drivers of water-energy-food integration in the region. The study presents a critical review of WEF nexus in the Gulf region and identifies links to sustainable development in this area. It concludes that integrating water, energy, and food resources within the nexus is crucial for GCC nations to accomplish resource security and sustainable development.

KEYWORDS:

• Aid – Development policies
• Environment (built and natural) – Food security
• Social sector – Water and sanitation
• Arab States

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Ammar Abulibdeh is an Assistant Professor of Geography and Urban Planning at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. He specialises in urban planning and development. His research interests focus on urban sustainability and planning policies, travel behaviour, climate change, and implications of sustainable transportation systems on sustainable development.

Esmat Zaidan is an Associate Professor of Policy, Planning, and Development at Qatar University. She holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of Waterloo in Canada. Her research focus on urban planning and development, urban sustainability and adaptation context for planning policies, travel behaviour, and sustainability in tourism planning and development.

Mohammad Al-Saidi is a Research Assistant Professor for sustainable development policy at Qatar University. He holds a PhD in economics from Heidelberg University, Germany. His research focuses on international development and environmental policies, particularly in the context of the Middle East.

ORCID

Ammar Abulibdeh http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0899-3655

Esmat Zaidan http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7813-3362

Mohammad Al-Saidi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1091-7475