Governance Strategies for Addressing Sustainability Risks of Seawater Desalination in the Arabian Gulf

Abstract

Presently, seawater desalination seems to be the most reliable source of clean water in the Arabian Gulf. However, multiple brine discharges from desalination plants endanger marine organisms. Similarly, high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions raise sustainability concerns. By and large, lack of an integrated regional governance framework hampers realising sustainable desalination industry. This paper seeks to unravel complexities in sustainability dimensions of the Gulf’s desalination projects. It also identifies pathways for overcoming risks of fragmented governance of the desalination industry. The study applied principles of complexity theory, the DPSIR model, and the Earth System Governance paradigm to prop its theoretical and methodological underpinnings. The paper identified 29 factors (natural, institutional, technological, policy and demographic) that underscore dynamics of the Gulf desalination industry. The recommendations made for sustainable pathways were based on principles of the Earth System Governance and interdisciplinary team building. This study stressed that sustainable future for the desalination industry in the Gulf region would depend on building a unified, and comprehensive desalinated water governance framework.