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Climate change and climate variability represent serious regional challenges for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This highly arid region has experienced high socioeconomic growth in recent decades, mainly along the coasts. The impacts of climate change on coastal development are tangible. Vital coastal infrastructure of many of the GCC countries, such as refineries, power plants, agricultural schemes, and desalination systems, will be negatively affected. Reduced rainfall, greater seasonal temperature variability, sea-level rise, and loss of agricultural production are some expected consequences, as are increased migration pressures. Vulnerable marine ecosystems in the region are vital for food security, recreation, and cultural identity. Most of the heavily populated cities of the region are situated along coasts, and development projects and urban expansion through land reclamation are pushing coastlines further out to sea and increasing future climatic risks.

The study of the strategies and politics involved in development projects and initiatives related to climate risks of coastal areas and marine ecosystems in the GCC is important. Many stakeholders and marine policies related to climate change are still evolving. This chapter identifies policy choices related to mitigation and adaptation and explains policy gaps among GCC countries. It also outlines marine ecosystem vulnerabilities in the region and explores key drivers of those vulnerabilities, including coastal development ratios; dependency on vital services such as water, energy, and food supplies; and the sensitivity of the ecosystems to climate change and their …