A Rentier State under Blockade: Qatar’s Water-Energy-Food Predicament from Energy Abundance and Food Insecurity to a Silent Water Crisis

Abstract

This article investigates Qatar’s sustainability crisis of the high levels of water, electricity and food use. The high levels of consumption have been enabled by Qatar’s significant hydrocarbons wealth, a generous rentier state’s redistributive water governance, and structural dependence on imported food and food production subsidies. The water crisis is silent because it does not generate supply disruptions nor any public discontentment. The geopolitical blockade Qatar is experiencing sparked discussions in policy circles on the best ways to ensure food security, but has only exacerbated its water insecurity. The blockade makes more urgent than ever the necessity to maximize and increase synergies among different sectors.

Renewable Energy in the Sustainable Development of Electrical Power Sector: A Review

“…In general terms, helping developing countries to make better use of energy to increase their own consumption of goods and services and to increase consumption has become an important factor in the development landscape [67,68]. Developing countries now use much of their own energy at home-an impressive economic and social development process that has lifted entire populations from poverty to prosperity.…”

Fuzzy Modeling of Urban Water Supply Crisis

“…In another study, an investigation into Qatar's sustainability crisis, originating from high levels of water, electricity and food consumption was carried out [8]. The high levels of consumption were made possible by the significant wealth of hydrocarbons, redistributive water governance of a generous rentier state and structural dependence on imported food and subsidies on food production.…”

“…In this state, the water crisis is silent because it does not cause interruptions in supply or public discontent. The possible solution comes from programs that integrate the water, energy and food sectors [8].…”

Water Pricing Policy as Tool to Induce Efficiency in Water Resources Management

“…However, other short-term objectives may result in the total cost recovery not being a priority [16] and, therefore, to the imposition of low prices related to scarcity by promoting excessive water consumption [17]. An example of this is the situation experienced by the Gulf countries, where the low water prices policy is common in a context of great scarcity, so there is no economic disincentive for excessive consumption [18,19]. In these regions, aspects such as legislation, institutional structure, and the need for water for food production are a major barrier to possible price increases [19][20][21].…”

“…An example of this is the situation experienced by the Gulf countries, where the low water prices policy is common in a context of great scarcity, so there is no economic disincentive for excessive consumption [18,19]. In these regions, aspects such as legislation, institutional structure, and the need for water for food production are a major barrier to possible price increases [19][20][21]. In the case of Europe, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the heart of a regulatory framework on water resource management that gives member states the capacity to price in order to achieve efficient water resource management [22].…”