In addition to its sizeable direct effect on public health, the Covid-19 pandemic is also having an impact on a wide array of socioeconomic variables, which in turn are affecting the environment. Many studies of these effects have been conducted either at the global level, or for key economies such as China and the US. However, the Kingdom of Bahrain merits special attention due to its geography (it is a small, arid, densely populated archipelago) and its economic structure (it has a high dependence on hydrocarbons and on tourism). This paper explores the effect that the Covid-19 pandemic is having on the environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain using qualitative data garnered from interviews with 14 experts on the Bahraini environment working in government, the academic sector, the private sector, and the non-profit sector. It also presents policy recommendations in light of these findings.
Abdulaziz AlDoesseri, Research Associate
Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli, Director of Studies & Research Directorate