Climate resilience in the Gulf: Innovation, infrastructure and impact

By Diligencia

19 August 2025

As the impacts of climate change intensify across the globe, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are taking decisive steps to adapt and build resilience. From investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and implementing nature-based solutions to advancing sustainable finance and strengthening institutional strategies, the region is embracing a multifaceted approach to adaptation.

This blog takes a comprehensive look at how GCC nations are navigating the climate challenge—and what their efforts mean for the future of sustainable development in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions.

Table of contents
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Kuwait
Oman and Bahrain
Financing, innovation and regional cooperation
Key takeaways
What's next?

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

National adaptation planning: The UAE’s National Climate Change Plan (2017–2050) underpins its Green Agenda, setting strategic resilience goals across energy, water, food systems, public health, and coastal protection.¹
Water security innovations: Desalination meets over 42% of drinking water demand in the UAE.² The upcoming Hassyan plant³ (operational by 2027) will be powered mainly by solar energy and use ultra-efficient reverseosmosis technology (2.9 kWh/m³) to serve ~2 million people.
Cloud seeding: Since the 1990s, UAE has run cloud seeding operations to boost precipitation by 10–35%, particularly to recharge aquifers via enhanced rainfall over mountainous regions.⁴
Nature-based projects: Through the Mangrove Alliance for Climate⁵ and national efforts, the UAE aims to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030, sequestering ~115,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Abu Dhabi has increased its mangrove cover by roughly 92% since 1987.⁶
Resilient infrastructure: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi exemplifies low-carbon urban planning with passive cooling, pedestrian street design that is 5–10 °C cooler, netzero energy buildings, and sustainable mobility options.
Flood resilience: Following extreme April 2024 rainfall—two years' worth in one day—Dubai launched “Tasreef,” a 30billion-dirham (~US $8.2 billion) program to increase the emirate’s drainage capacity by 700%, able to handle over 20 million m³/day by 2033.⁷

Saudi Arabia

Strategic institutions: Saudi policy centres on a circular carbon economy encompassing energy efficiency, carbon capture, hydrogen, nuclear, and renewables. The country targets 50% renewable electricity by 2030 under its Green Initiative and National Renewable Energy Program.⁸
Water harvesting: The launch of 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams, expected to store 4 million m³ annually, supports both water sustainability and agricultural security under Vision 2030.⁹
Early warning and disaster plans: Saudi Arabia operates a national disaster response, and maintains early warning systems to manage floods, dust storms, and heat extremes.
Environmental stewardship: As part of its Green Initiative, Saudi plans to plant 10 billion trees, combat land degradation, and address biodiversity loss.¹⁰

Qatar

Climate institutions: Since 2021, Qatar has had a dedicated Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and operates a National Climate Change Plan with over 300 adaptation projects spanning water reuse, cooling efficiency, and infrastructure upgrades.¹¹
Carbon capture: Qatar’s large-scale carbon storage facility aims to sequester over 5 million tonnes of CO₂ yearly from its LNG industry by 2025.¹²
Green bonds and finance: The country taps capital markets for sustainable development and pledges funds to global adaptation initiatives like the Green Climate Fund.

Kuwait

National Adaptation Plan 2019–2030: Focuses on protecting coastal zones, improving water security, fisheries, health, and marine ecosystem resilience.¹³
Local desalination & sandstorm alerts: The country is building decentralised desalination units and installing sandstorm warning sirens to protect rural populations exposed to frequent dust storms.¹³

Oman and Bahrain

Oman: The 2020–2040 adaptation strategy is supported by one of the most advanced early warning systems in the region—enabling preparation for cyclones and extreme weather.¹⁴
Bahrain: Overseen by a joint climate-environment council since 2007, Bahrain’s Updated National Emergency Strategy coordinates civil defense efforts to ensure resilience.

Financing, innovation and regional cooperation

Sustainable finance: Sovereign wealth funds in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly directing billions into green tech, renewable energy, and adaptation infrastructure. Green bond programs are also common across the region.
International funds and partnerships: GCC states contribute to global adaptation funding mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF). UAE’s ALTÉRRA Climate Fund, launched at COP 28, aims to mobilize US $250 billion by 2030 to finance climate resilience globally.¹⁵
Climate diplomacy and multilateral cooperation: Saudi Arabia established the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership with initial US$12 billion pledges. Regional efforts like the Middle East Green Initiative target planting 40 billion trees and boosting drought resilience.¹⁶

Key takeaways
GCC countries are demonstrating strong institutional leadership in climate adaptation, with all member states now operating dedicated climate bodies, comprehensive planning frameworks, and early warning systems. Water resilience remains a top priority, addressed through innovative measures such as cloud seeding, advanced desalination technologies, rainwater harvesting, treated sewage reuse, and even household-scale desalination units. Adaptation strategies also blend nature-based and technological interventions, including mangrove restoration, carbon capture initiatives, and flood mitigation infrastructure. A growing focus on health and social equity is evident, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where governments are enhancing worker safety during extreme heat events and advancing sustainable building codes and cooling strategies to protect vulnerable communities.

What's next?
Looking ahead, GCC countries are poised to expand their participation in adaptation financing and contribute more actively to global knowledge sharing on climate resilience. Scaling up natural climate solutions will be key, with a focus on minimising ecological trade-offs to ensure long-term sustainability. There is also a growing need to embed adaptation strategies into community-level planning, particularly to support marginalised and vulnerable populations. At the same time, improving energy efficiency, promoting circular economy practices, and fostering inclusive policy governance will be critical to building more resilient and equitable societies across the region.

The Gulf region may still rely heavily on fossil fuel revenue—but it’s leveraging its economic strength to build climate resilience. From building climate-smart cities, harvesting rainwater, protecting marine ecosystems, to financing adaptation via green bonds and sovereign funds, Gulf states are weaving together multiple strategies to safeguard their futures and help shape global resilience.

Diligencia helps customers from around the world to find essential information on organisations registered in Africa and the wider Middle East, drawing on primary sources that are otherwise hard to find. Using our curated data, we enable our clients to effectively manage their compliance obligations, allowing them to continuously monitor their suppliers and counterparty risks in the MEA region.

FOOTNOTES

Climate resilience in the Gulf: Innovation, infrastructure and impact

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