SDG13: Climate Action
Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) emphasizes the urgent need to combat climate change and its impacts. In Bahrain, both the government and educational institutions like Applied Science University (ASU) are actively contributing to this goal.
Government Initiatives in Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing climate change through various strategies and international collaborations:
National Adaptation Investment Plan (NAIP): Bahrain is preparing a NAIP on climate change in collaboration with relevant government agencies. This plan aims to include adaptation priorities and implementation actions to enhance the country’s adaptive capacity to cope with climate change risks.
Supreme Council for Environment (SCE): The SCE serves as Bahrain’s National Designated Authority for the Green Climate Fund, overseeing the development and implementation of the nation’s environmental and sustainable development strategies.
International Commitments: At the COP26 summit, Bahrain pledged support for key international climate change initiatives, reflecting its dedication to global climate action.
Applied Science University’s (ASU) Commitment to SDG 13
Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain actively supports SDG 13 through various initiatives:
Green Campus Initiatives: ASU promotes sustainability through an environment-friendly campus, as evidenced by its ranking in the GreenMetric World University Rankings. The university has achieved an advanced ranking, being the first private university in Bahrain and ranking 437th globally.
ASU
Sustainability Education: ASU integrates climate change and sustainability topics into its curriculum, fostering awareness and understanding among students about environmental challenges and solutions.
Research and Community Engagement: The university encourages research on climate change and engages with the community through initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and resilience.
Through these efforts, both the Bahraini government and ASU demonstrate a strong commitment to combating climate change and advancing the objectives of SDG 13.
Goal Thirteen: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts[b]
Low-carbon energy use
https://www.asu.edu.bh/latest-news-digest/presidents-news-digest-v8/
The University has taken significant steps towards low-carbon energy use, aligning with SDG13: Climate Action. Two notable initiatives in this regard are the utilization of electric golf carts for security personnel and the installation of solar streetlights in the staff parking area.
By employing electric golf carts for security personnel, the University reduces its carbon footprint. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, minimizing air pollution and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. This shift from traditional gasoline-powered carts to electric ones contributes to the overall reduction of carbon emissions and promotes sustainable transportation within the campus.
Moreover, the University’s installation of solar streetlights in the staff parking area further reinforces its commitment to low-carbon energy use. Solar energy is a renewable and clean source of power that produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional energy generation methods. The solar streetlights, with a total capacity of 3600W (20 total solar lights x 180W), rely on solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, providing an eco-friendly lighting solution.
By utilizing solar streetlights, the University reduces its dependence on fossil fuel-based electricity and decreases its carbon footprint. This transition to low-carbon energy sources aligns with SDG 13’s objective of combating climate change and promoting sustainable energy practices. It demonstrates the University’s commitment to adopting clean and renewable energy technologies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Environmental Education Measures
The university has several educational measures and events that link to climate action. Below are some of the aspects relevant to environmental education measures:
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Within the Civil Engineering programme taught at the university in collaboration with London Southbank University, there is a module titled with Environmental Engineering, below is the module descriptor:
Community Engagement Office at ASU Organised a Campaign to Clean the Coast of East Al Eker
https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/
On Saturday, 26 January 2019, Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University in collaboration with Al Eker Charitable Society, and with the participation of One Heart Media Team; organised a voluntary campaign to clean the coast of East Al Eker. The campaign aims to preserve the environment and public coasts of the Kingdom of Bahrain and raise the level of awareness and responsibility of the members of the University and the community. The campaign included cleaning of the coast from plastic, paper, glass and other impurities to preserve wildlife in Al Eker, which includes the mangroves and migratory birds. The campaign volunteers included Academic and Administrative Staff, Students and Graduates of the ASU, volunteers from the village of Al Eker, and participants from the local community.
Community Engagement Office at ASU Organised the Second Campaign to Clean the Coast of East Al Eker
https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/
Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, the Governor of Capital Governorate, Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University in collaboration with Capital Governorate, Al Eker Charitable Society,( وثيقة محافظة العاصمة للتطوع ); organised the second voluntary campaign to clean the coast of East Al Eker. Dr Mohammad Yousef, Vice President for Administration, Finance and Community Engagement and Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Development, Mr Hassan Al Madani the Deputy Capital Governor, and Dr Abdulwahid Al-Nakal, the Board Member of Capital Municipal Council had attended and participated in the campaign that was held on Saturday, 23 February 2019. Participants of the campaign included ASU Staff and Students and alumni, and members and volunteers from Al Eker Charitable Society, ( وثيقة محافظة العاصمة للتطوع ), One Heart Media Team, Positive Wings Voluntary Team, and some volunteers from the local community. Twenty mangrove trees have been planted during the campaign to preserve the environment and public coasts of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and raise the level of awareness and responsibility of ASU members and the community.
Applied Science University Visited the United Nation House
https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/
Within the initiatives of the Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University and in coordination with the Department of Political Science and College of Law, ASU visited the United Nation House in Manama on Tuesday, 5 February 2019. ASU was presented by Dr Mohammad Al-Hamami, Manager of Community Engagement Office, Mr Thaer AlRamini Member of CE Office and Student Care, and a Number of Academic Staff included Dr Khaleel Ibrahim, Dr Samer AlDuros, Mrs Ghada Ihsan, Dr Rajab Ebrahem, Dr Ammar Al-Sammarraee, Dr Radwan Kharabsheh, and Students from Political Science Department and College of Law. During the visit, Mr Samir Al-Darabi, the United Nations Information Center Director talked about UN responsibilities, roles and activities. After that, HE Mr Amin El Sharkawi, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Bahrain delivered a Lecture about Sustainable Development Goals. ASU Academic Staff and Students participated in discussions on the topics raised during the visit.
At the end of the Visit, Dr Mohammad Al-Hamami, Manager of Community Engagement Office at ASU thanked the UN House in Manama for the warm reception; he praised the role played by the UN to achieve the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals, and stressed the readiness of ASU to cooperate in supporting UN initiatives in various fields. He pointed out that the students who participated in the visit are specialised in Political Sciences and Law so that the theory is linked to the application in their study. The visiting delegation included professors of various disciplines to open the way for building cooperation frameworks between the two parties. The Academic Staff who participated in the visit presented ideas and discussed prospects of cooperation that can be made between ASU and UN House.
Campaign to Clean the Coast of East Al Eker
https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/
Within the initiatives of the Applied Science University for community Engagement and service, the Community Engagement Office, in cooperation with the Al Eker Charitable Society, organized a campaign to clean the coast of the village of Al-Aker (opposite the university building), which comes as a continuation of the previous series of campaigns that the office implemented in cooperation with the Society, on Saturday 26th November, 2022 at 3:30 p.m., with the participation of a large number of academic and administrative staff, the University Volunteers Club, and volunteers of Al Eker Charitable Society.
A Campaign to Provide and Install Solar-Powered Lamps
https://www.asu.edu.bh/community-engagement/community-engagement-booklet/
As part of the Applied Science University’s initiatives for community engagement and service, The ASU Community Engagement Office, in cooperation with Al Eker Charitable Society, organised a campaign to provide and install (13) solar-powered lamps to light different locations in the village of Al-Aker on Thursday, June 15, 2023, with the participation of a number of academic and administrative staff, university students, and the local community.
Green metric Ranking
https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/rankings/overall-rankings-2022/asu.edu.bh
The University is committed to supporting and preserving the environment and is considered one of the leading institutions in the region in the field of environmental sustainability. The university has taken several innovative initiatives to protect the environment, improve the quality of life, and promote environmental awareness among students, staff, and the local community. One of the university’s initiatives to protect and preserve the environment is the provision of energy-efficient lighting systems in the campus and other buildings. The university also collaborates with the local community in organizing campaigns to clean beaches and green spaces and promote agriculture to improve public health and the environment. In addition, the university collaborates with local government and community organizations to organize environmental awareness campaigns and participate in environmental conservation and development initiatives. The university encourages its staff to contribute to environmental protection and improve the quality of life. Applied Science University has achieved a high ranking in the 2022 UI Green Metric World University Rankings, ranking first among private universities locally, 35th among Arab universities, and 407th globally. The university’s ranking in this prestigious position is due to its commitment to achieving sustainable development in all its economic, social, and environmental aspects, and its focus on green environmental standards. The university’s building design considers environmentally friendly considerations, with sustainable building materials used in construction. The university places great importance on protecting the environment, improving the quality of life, and promoting the use of renewable energy such as solar energy. The university is also working to improve its operational processes to reduce natural resource consumption, waste, and harmful emissions.
The University promotes the concept of sustainability through an environment-friendly campus, according to the Green Metric Rankings of Green Universities
It achieved the first place at the level of local private universities and the 37th among Arab Universities
The University has achieved an advanced ranking in the global Green Metric Rankings for Green Universities for the year 2020, (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings), by ranking first at the level of private universities locally for the third year in a row, and advancing it to the thirty-seventh place in the Arab world, and the 484th rank globally, after the report showed the University made huge progress and advanced it position among the 911 international universities included in the rankings.
Achieving this remarkable ranking demonstrates the University’s commitment to achieving sustainable development in all its economic, social and environmental aspects, and its interest in the standards related to green environment, as the University campus takes into account in its design a set of environment-friendly principles and considerations through the materials used in construction, promoting sustainability for the University.
Regarding this progress achieved by the university for the third year in a row, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Waheeb Alkhaja, noted that the honorable appearance of the University in various trusted and internationally recognized international rankings constitutes an important addition to the University’s bright record in many fields including global rankings, thus adding a bright spot to its scientific and academic journey, which is full of distinction and achievements.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees also indicated that this achievement is the result of the hard work of the President of the University and the efforts of the academic and administrative staff members to achieve an important strategic objective of the University which internationalization.
For his part, the President of the University, Prof. Ghassan Aouad explained that the Green Metric Rankings for Green Universities aims to promote a culture of green and environment-friendly architecture to help combat global climate change, indicating that this achievement constitutes an impetus for the university to move forward towards more development and modernization in order to enhance its reputation and scientific progress in various fields, based on its role in spreading the culture of excellence and consolidating the concept of sustainability and green architecture.
The President also congratulated the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Samir Nass, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Waheeb Alkhaja, and all the members of the Boards of Directors and Trustees on this achievement, expressing his pride in the efforts made by the academic and administrative staff members to meet international standards and help the University shine on global rankings.
Prof. Ghassan Aouad explained that the University collected 5150 points within the ranking criteria which includes: location and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, and finally education and scientific research, noting the importance of the role of technology in bringing about sustainable economic, social and environmental development.
It is noteworthy that the Green Metric Rankings ranks universities in terms of the sustainability of their operations and the extent of their commitment to clean environment standards, and its report is issued based on several criteria related to the environment and sustainability on campus in terms of infrastructure, efficiency in energy use and reducing gas emissions, and the extent of application of the principles of integrated solid and liquid waste management, means of transportation and the level of educational and research operations.
ASU helping in preserving the environment by joining “Green Line”
https://www.asu.edu.bh/2015/01/green-line/
Going Green Proceeding from its role as a leading educational establishment keen to promote the principles of preserving the environment, ASU developed Tubli Bay that is overlooked directly by the university. Different factors were taken into account during the construction of the university in order to preserve the environment, through thermal insulation and allowing maximum increase of natural lighting to reach different halls of the campus and benefit from the solar energy. The university in co-operation with Green Line distributed trash bins within the university in order to protect the environment in which paper and liquid wastes are placed separately to be recycled at a later time in a manner that serves the Bahraini economy and society.
Virtual conference on climate change and environmental sustainability
https://www.asu.edu.bh/?lang=ar
We are delighted to bring you the inaugural virtual conference on climate change and environmental sustainability taking advantage of the power of the internet for the whole Bahrain applied university community this event is free and promoted by the sciences applied university
International Conference on Freshwater Ecosystems and Environmental Change
On February 12 2021, ASU participated in the International Conference on Freshwater Ecosystems and Environmental Change aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Freshwater Ecosystems and Environmental Change. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered, and solutions adopted in the fields of Freshwater Ecosystems and Environmental Change.
ASU Conference for the Clean water in Bahrain
On 11 June 2021, with the purpose of keeping water clean in Bahrain ASU held a conference directed by Dr Ammar Yousif Abdulla in which they talked about good water management, conscious use of water, water conservation and sustainable water extraction technologies. At the end of the conference, recommendations were given to the participants to achieve a better use of water and avoid problems in its consumption.
ASU Hosts AIESEC Youth Speak Forum
https://www.asu.edu.bh/category/news/page/21
AIESEC is a global, independent, non-profit organization run by students and graduates that aim to enable youth to convert their ideas into actions in issues mainly related to leadership and management. The President Professor Ghassan Aouad also a member of the board of AISEC, hosted at ASU, AIESEC forum that was held on 21 and 22 October 2016 in Abdulla Nass Hall, and coordinated with the Deanship of Student Affairs and Evening Studies. The forum was under the patronage of HE Sheikh Dr Abdulla Bin Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference started with a welcoming speech by the President of the University and Board Member of AIESEC, followed by an address by the President of AIESEC Bahrain who spoke about the history and achievements of AIESEC. Following this, an inspirational speech was made by HE the Patron of the conference, Sheikh Abdulla, where he spoke about climate change, quality of education and gender issues. The morning session of the first day was concluded with yet another inspirational speech by Mr Amin El-Sharqawi, UNDP Resident representative in Bahrain, where he spoke about the 17 sustainable development goals of the UN. The event was attended by Ms. Ruqaya Mohsinand Ms. Edyta Przybyla from Marketing and PR
and over 125 students and distinguished guests and speakers.
International Conference on Climate Change Impacts Management
https://www.asu.edu.bh/category/news/page/17
From February 18 to 19, 2019 the “International Conference on Climate Change Impacts Management” was held in which they talked about the climate changes suffered by pollution, the strategies to support the environment from 2019 to 2030 and the impact that this can have in the health of each person. Additionally, recommendations were given to people to adapt and take care of the environment.