SDG 13: CLIMATE ACTION 

Introduction

Bahrain has recognized the importance of addressing climate change and has been actively working towards achieving SDG 13: Climate Action, Bahrain understands the significance of taking proactive measures to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. Here are some of the efforts Bahrain has taken in pursuit of SDG 13:

• Net Zero  

Bahrain has embarked on a significant journey towards mitigating the effects of global climate change and achieving SDG 13 by announcing its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, as announced by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

• Legislative Infrastructure

The Environment Law No (7) for the year 2022 addresses the environment through a multifaced approach that is not only relevant to SDG 13 (Climate Action), but to others as well such as SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The law’s main objective is to protect the environment from various harmful activities, to prevent and address pollution, and to preserve natural resources. It also grants the Supreme Council for the Environment the legal mandate to conduct studies, assess projects, and develop policies in the context of environmental protection. One of the key features of the Law is that it sets the necessary provisions for the establishment of a fund for environmental protection and development.

• Mitigation  

To bolster its climate action efforts, the Supreme Council for Environment is developing a comprehensive and multistep Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System that will track the national greenhouse gas inventory and the progress in achieving national emission reductions, as well as adaptation action.

• Adaptation  

As a low-lying island state in an arid region, Bahrain is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. To address this, Bahrain has developed the ‘National Adaptation Investment Plan (NAIP)’, which serves as a blueprint for enhancing resilience in the Kingdom’s most vulnerable sectors, namely agriculture, water, biodiversity/ecosystems and urban development. Through a variety of projects, it aims to effectively tackle challenges such as rising sea levels, water scarcity, extreme temperatures, and food security.

• Monitoring Climate Impacts  

A nationwide sea-level rise study that assessed the potential of flood inundation under different climate scenarios culminated in a proposal of over 190 physical interventions to collectively protect homes, commercial premises, cultural and religious assets. A key outcome has been the creation of a ‘Tidal Atlas’, that comprises a digital terrain of the Kingdom, and the ability to stress test vulnerabilities under different future scenarios and adjust a multitude of assumptions and variables as new data becomes available in the future.