Environment and nature

Climate change is affecting every country on every continent, disrupting national economies, and affecting lives. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, and weather events are becoming more extreme. However, it is not too late to avoid or limit some of the worst effects of climate change.

Bahrain is committed to protecting the environment and preserving natural resources while pursuing its ambitious national development agenda. The Kingdom has made significant progress in these areas, incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs) set by the United Nations General Assembly into its Government Action Plan and Economic Vision 2030.

Sustainability is one of three principles guiding Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, which focuses on a range of issues, including the environment, sustainable resource management, urban development, water and energy, transport, urban growth, waste management, marine conservation, and biodiversity, among others.

The Kingdom has established many governmental institutions, organizations, and committees to develop programs, policies, and strategies to achieve sustainability in its various dimensions. It has also enacted several laws and regulations related to the achievement of sustainable development.

Bahrain has also signed multilateral agreements related to sustainability and continues to meet its commitments to them, despite the challenges facing the global community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kingdom has implemented a range of other initiatives to support the protection and preservation of the environment. For further information, please visit the following links:

• Bahrain National Environment Strategy
•  Climate Action in Bahrain
• Sustainable Development Goals 2030
• The Supreme Council for Environment
• Progress in the Area of Sustainable Development to Protect the Environment and Natural Resources
• Recognized and Award-Winning efforts
• Environment Protection Decrees and Decisions
• Conferences and Agreements
• United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment) 
• NSSA - Kingdom of Bahrain Space Vision and Mission

The Kingdom of Bahrain has many specialised organisations operating in recycling and reusing waste. Some of the examples are: Alfa Express Co , Falcon Factory , Bahrain Contract Cleaning , Nidukki , Gulf City Cleaning Company , Merc Company , Bahrain Waste Treatment Company, Sphinx Services , Bahrain Recycling Plant,  and others.

Preserving the Environment

The Kingdom of Bahrain places the protection of the environment, natural resources, and biological diversity at the forefront of its development priorities. The government of Bahrain has strengthened its efforts in preserving the environment aligning it with the government’s action plan, which emphasizes achieving environmental sustainability, improving the efficiency of resources and energy, establishing mechanisms for environmental impact assessment for economic projects, and encouraging Production, use and investment of renewable energy.

The kingdom of Bahrain announced policies to reduce the use of plastics and its harmful effect on the environment in line with the directions of the United Nations for combating environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. The policies are intended to encourage the use of biodegradable plastic bags and ban the use of single-use and non-biodegradable plastic bags throughout the Kingdom, in addition the government is working to reduce the production of plastic waste by banning the manufacture, import or trade of plastic water bottles and cups with sizes less than 200 milliliters. At a later stage, the use of plastic bags will be permanently banned for some uses in some malls and supermarkets.

The kingdom is working towards enhancing the role of the private sector in recycling plastic waste to preserve the environment by providing recycling sorting containers in several public and private locations with the aim of awareness and encouragement for safe disposal of plastic.

Bahrain is keen to dispose of all types of waste in an environmentally safe manner by carefully managing the waste generated from the industrial sector, and hazardous waste from other sectors in accordance with the provisions of local legislation and international agreements, and in accordance with the international obligations of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the sector of environmental preservation.

For more information about protecting the environment from harmful waste please visit the Supreme Council for Environment.

• Banning the manufacture, import or circulation of plastic water bottles and cups that are less than 200 millilitres
• Vending machine providing eco-friendly and biodegradable garbage bags

Government Action Plan

The Government Action Plan is vital to implement Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. It reflects the strategic priorities of the Bahraini Government and focuses on delivering sustainable change in line with the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Since adopting the SDGs in 2015, the Kingdom’s plans have been closely linked to achieving these objectives. Each of its ministries and government agencies have align their government action plan (2019-2022)  objectives, plans, and policies with the SDGs. 

Supreme Council for Environment

The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) in Bahrain is a government entity in charge of the development of Bahrain’s future strategy for the environment and sustainable development. It also follows up on the implementation of this strategy with relevant ministries, agencies, and institutions. The SCE’s mandate includes protecting Bahrain’s natural habitat and human environment, ensuring the sustainability of its components, and preserving and developing its resources for future generations.

Joint National Committee on Climate Change

Since 2007, the Joint National Committee on Climate Change has overseen all climate issues in Bahrain. Today, the committee is chaired by the Supreme Council for Environment and includes members from the National Oil and Gas Authority, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Electricity and Water, the Ministry of Transportation, Civil Aviation Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bahrain Economic Development Board.

The committee discusses and takes decisions on all activities, projects, and programs related to climate change in Bahrain, including mitigation and adaptation measures, monitoring, and following up on the latest international developments, forming national positions and submissions to international climate agreements. It also works to ensure balance and integration between climate change commitments with the economic and social needs of Bahrain’s sustainable development.

The Paris Agreement

In 2016, Bahrain joined 174 countries in signing the historic Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century. To date, 189 counties have signed the agreement.

The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD)

The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) was launched to achieve a continuous renaissance of the agricultural sector, in which all concerned authorities in the Kingdom participate, and all existing efforts are combined in it to restore the prosperity of the agricultural sector and develop plans to achieve this strategic goal.

The initiative addresses the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the Kingdom, such as water scarcity, land scarcity, and relying on traditional farming. The initiative provides appropriate solutions to these challenges by uniting the efforts of the concerned authorities and using modern technologies in agriculture while providing the necessary funding, training, and qualification for local farmers.

NIAD is also working on projects that contribute to supporting agricultural workers, increasing the green area, supporting agricultural manufacturing industries, and spreading awareness of agricultural culture through education and training to build specialized national capacities in this field.

• View the projects of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development

King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development

The King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development was launched under the auspices of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al- Khalifa, Wife of the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, President of the Consultative Council of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), to create a positive competitive environment among agricultural entrepreneurs or projects, Bahraini farmers as well as researchers in a way that contributes to preserving agricultural sector, developing it and ensuring its sustainability.

King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development is divided into three categories:

• Best Agricultural Project, divided into:
  • Best agricultural production project: It includes projects that produce agricultural food or cosmetic crops.
  • Best Supporting Project for Agricultural Production: It includes projects that provide engineering consultancy services, agricultural consultancy, training, design, irrigation systems and water conservation, green houses, seed production and preservation, fertilizers and nutrients, agricultural pest control, and renewable energy applications, in addition to industrial projects. Transformational based on local agricultural production.

• Best Agricultural Research and Studies: It is open to owners of agricultural studies and research from different countries of the world.
• Best Bahraini Farmer, which is awarded to the farmer in return for his excellence and in appreciation of his efforts and contributions to the development of the agricultural sector.

More information about the King Hamad prize (PDF, 10MB, 16 pages)

Agricultural projects owners, farmers and researchers in the agricultural field can participate in the award in any of the categories by filling out the award application form.

You can communicate with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) directly through:

• E-mail: info@niadbh.com
• Contact page on NIAD Website