Status of Environmental Sustainability and Green Education in GCC Countries: A Review

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Research in Education, Teaching and Learning

Year: 2026

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Status of Environmental Sustainability and Green Education in GCC Countries: A Review

Prof. Mohamed Mohamed

ABSTRACT:

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries face unique environmental pressures including water scarcity, extreme heat, carbon-intensive energy systems, and rapid urbanization. In response, all six-member states have embedded sustainability within national development visions (e.g., Saudi Vision 2030, UAE Net Zero 2050, Oman Vision 2040, Qatar National Vision 2030). Parallel to environmental reform, green education has emerged as a strategic priority to support long-term socio-ecological transformation. This review evaluates the current status of environmental sustainability and green education across the GCC countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This region has demonstrated increasing commitment to renewable energy expansion and the consequence Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Environmental awareness has recently received higher priority in the GCC agenda. In addition to the recently developed governmental structures, many non-governmental environmental groups have been established over the last few years. A clear assurance exists now amongst federal bodies, individual agencies and non-governmental organizations, together with their domestic and international alliances, of the need for environmental protection and sustainability. While structural economic dependence on hydrocarbons remains a challenge, sustainability integration within policy frameworks and education systems has accelerated significantly over the past decade. This fast-growing environmental awareness coupled with the necessary legal support is not accompanied with a similar pace of improving the environmental sustainability education in the region. This paper synthesizes policy trends, renewable targets, education reforms, and institutional challenges.

Keywords: GCC, Higher Education, Sustainability, SDGs, Renewable Energy