Governance of novel “green” desalination processes in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

This paper examines the forms of governance that will impact the implementation of new “green” desalination process to identify areas which may support or challenge urban infrastructure adaptation. The chosen context is the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bahrain is chosen as it has been successful in achieving high standards of living for its populace, but the upheaval of water and energy system change is urgent and essential due to its extreme climate, resource availability, and wider economic context. Bahrain faces challenges common to many jurisdictions in having high standards of living, but where social practices need to drastically change if those standards are to be maintained into the future. The forms of governance are considered as a system and defined and applied to the Bahraini context through a documentary analysis, qualitative interviews and focus groups with experts and communities within Bahrain. The results find prima facie, policy, and regulatory support for system change, although progress is slow. A deeper analysis identifies opportunities for policy re-direction but beyond policy, it identifies norms, values, and Constitutional expectations that require respect and care in how they are managed if change is to be accepted at pace. The results offer opportunities for governance comparisons across jurisdictions and have implications for innovators in how new systems are designed and framed and for policymakers in identifying and dismantling barriers to change.