Political Power and Environmental Sustainability in Gulf Monarchies: Green Delusion (Contemporary Gulf Studies)

This book offers a new perspective about the Gulf Arab states entering a post-oil era by looking at the political factors behind the green transformation. It discusses the recent ‘environmental enthusiasm’ in the oil- and gas-rich Gulf monarchies by asking how political power can be constituted through advocating environmental sustainability. While hydrocarbon-wealthy Gulf monarchies have been viewed as the globe’s ‘hydrocarbon powerhouse’ with an immense ecological footprint, efforts towards sustainability and environmental protection measures are increasingly monitored. Climate Change, environmental, degradation and the global pressure towards a low-carbon development are threatening the very basis of economic and political power of the oil- and gas-exporting Gulf monarchies. So far, discussions about this fundamental transformation have barely elaborated how it affects and reorganizes political power games in the region. This book attempts to overcome thedominant focus of techno economic drivers of change and uncovers how environmental sustainability impacts state-society and state-elite relationships as well as shaping regional and even global geopolitics. Acknowledgements Note on Transliteration and Translation Transliteration Translations Contents About the Author Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction Locating the ‘Environmental Enthusiasm’ of the Fossil-Wealthy Gulf Monarchies Analytical Framework: Bringing Political and Environmental Forces (Back) in A Few Words on Methodology and Data Collection Structure and Scope of the Book References 2 Unsustainable Development in the Gulf: Under Pressure Approaching al-Khalīj al-ʿArabī: Understanding Gulf Politics and Stability Political Reconfigurations: A Game of Thrones Shifts in the Regional and International Order Redefining the Socioeconomic Model: Escaping the ‘Sustainable Impasse’ Rethinking Rentierism The Looming Climate Peril and Environmental Collapse: A Matter of Survival Growing Environmental Pressure from Inside and Outside Conclusion References 3 A Short Environmental History of the Gulf The Origin of Environmental Power in Arabia The Awakening of the Smaller Gulf States and the Creation of Environmental Infrastructure The Gulf War, Environmental Crisis and the Rise of the ‘Dubai Model’ The Gulf Monarchies Face the Twenty-First Century: A Not-so-New Green ‘Paradigm Shift’ Conclusion References 4 Inside the Green State: Institutional Organization, Agency and Governance Building and Reorganizing Institutional Capacities The Role of Knowledge Production and Parastatal Green Energy Fiefdoms Human Agency and the Inclusion of Key Actors National Sustainability Governance: The Gap Between Pledges and Implementation The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saudi Arabia Qatar Oman Kuwait Bahrain Conclusion References 5 Green Business Is Good Business: Environmental Sustainability and ‘Adaptative State Capitalism’ Environmental Sustainability and the Market: A New Opportunity for Networked Policymaking and Capital Flows Greening the Black Gold: The (Still Dominant) Role of the Hydrocarbon Sector Public–Private Assemblage: The Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds and State-Owned Enterprises The (Semi) Private Sector: The Role of “Royal Capitalists” Conclusion References 6 Accommodating the Regional and International Ecosystems: Transnational Sustainability Governance The GCC Between Environmental Coordination and Competition Environmental Interdependence and Cooperation A New Arena for Competition Incorporating ‘Green’ into the Gulf States’ Branding Strategies Monarchical Distinctiveness: The Neo-Traditional Brand and Ecological Modernization Personal Branding: Climate Saviors Global Environmental Governance and Environmental Diplomacy: A New International Stage for the Gulf Monarchies The Global Climate Regime and Governance Processes From Reluctance Towards Setting and Shaping the Agenda Sustainability Hedging: A New Playground for Enhancing Partnerships The GCC as a Lucrative Market for Green Business The Dual Role of Gulf States as Global Investors and Aid Providers Conclusion References 7 Conclusion and Outlook: The Green Delusion The Delusion Behind the Green Turn Making Power Sustainable The Bigger Picture Outlook: A Long and Bumpy Road Ahead References Appendix List of Interviews Index This book offers a new perspective about the Gulf Arab states entering a post-oil era by looking at the political factors behind the green transformation. It discusses the recent 'environmental enthusiasm' in the oil- and gas-rich Gulf monarchies by asking how political power can be constituted through advocating environmental sustainability. While hydrocarbon-wealthy Gulf monarchies have been viewed as the globe's 'hydrocarbon powerhouse' with an immense ecological footprint, efforts towards sustainability and environmental protection measures are increasingly monitored. Climate Change, environmental, degradation and the global pressure towards a low-carbon development are threatening the very basis of economic and political power of the oil- and gas-exporting Gulf monarchies. So far, discussions about this fundamental transformation have barely elaborated how it affects and reorganizes political power games in the region. This book attempts to overcome the dominant focus of techno economic drivers of change and uncovers how environmental sustainability impacts state-society and state-elite relationships as well as shaping regional and even global geopolitics