İklim Değişikliği ve Körfez: Etkiler, Eylemler ve Rekabet

Abstract

Traditionally, Gulf countries are widely known as rentier states. Their economic structures depend on the income from fossil fuels such as oil and gas. These revenues obtained through natural resources directly influence politics. For example, by exploiting natural sources, Gulf countries designed their foreign and economic politics. But climate change forced Gulf countries to transform their policies since it emerged with problems such as increased temperatures. This directly negatively affected Gulf countries’ traditional positioning regarding foreign and economic policies. In addition, it has been revealed that the oil and gas-based economies are in danger since these sources are about the end. This process altered the Gulf countries’ economic politics. This paper seeks to analyze how climate change transformed the geopolitics in the Gulf. The paper argues that Gulf countries started to change their foreign policies by diversifying actors. Moreover, they are more eager to increase their income alternatives. For example, they launch visions encouraging investment in sports, music, and modern cultural events. Further, to preserve relations with Western countries, which are sensitive to climate change, Gulf countries began to give more importance to activities such as renewable energy, nuclear energy, and mineral exploration. In this regard, competition has risen within the Gulf. Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha administrations contest in several fields, such as becoming a trade hub and leading the regional order by increasing soft power.