Environmental Economics
Mohamed Alamin
Exploring the potential for Carbon trading ...

Carbon Emissions and their relation to climate change are significant and have large societal and economic impacts globally. This has led to ambitious plans worldwide to promote decarbonisation and move away from fossil fuels as a primary energy source, including the GCC countries, with the example of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pledging to go “carbon neutral” by 2060. This article intends to explore how a carbon trading scheme can help the GCC achieve its “carbon neutrality” status. We explore the following: First, what is a carbon-trading scheme, and what evidence exists of its effectiveness around the world, secondly, we explore the current state of GCC emissions and what these emissions could mean towards the region. Last, we look at the implications of continuous unchecked GCC emissions for the region, and what policy recommendations we can implement to counteract them.

Exploring the potential for Carbon trading schemes in the GCC

Labor Economics

Limiting Bahraini Unemployment Amid COVID-19: The Bahraini Wage Subsidy

Limiting Bahraini Unemployment Amid COVID-19: The Bahraini Wage Subsidy

In the face of the global coronavirus pandemic, supply and demand shocks to the economy have caused businesses in Bahrain to suffer from a significant reduction in economic activity, which has negatively impacted their individual levels of productivity. This has had consequences for the ability of said businesses to retain their current levels of employment during these challenging times. At the end of June, 2020 the Bahraini government decided to extend the financial stimulus package for the private sector, and subsidize 50% of wages for insured Bahraini employees in the most adversely affected industries for 3 additional months, from July to September of 2020.

Labour Productivity and COVID-19: A Brief Analysis of Bahrain

Labour Productivity and COVID-19: A Brief Analysis of Bahrain

Bahrain had seen its first case of COVID-19 on February 24, 2020. Since then, a set of preventative measures were implemented to control the spread of the virus. The outbreak has had an unprecedented impact on our economy. In particular, policies were implemented that encouraged workers from both the private and public sectors to work from home.

Does the weather affect construction productivity?

Does the weather affect construction productivity?

Bahrain is known to have extreme temperatures during the summer months. As a result, those who work outdoors in construction are exposed to the dangers of heat exhaustion, as well as potentially heat stroke if they are allowed to continue working outside in extreme conditions. As we approach the summer months and preparations are underway to ensure the safety of these workers (via policies such as bans on outdoor work during high temperatures), one must ask, to what extent will we face a drop in productivity during hotter conditions?