A Strategic Review Of Policy Mechanisms For Circular Economies In The Gulf

Abstract

As Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries face growing environmental pressures and economic uncertainties, the need to transition from a linear to a circular economy has become increasingly urgent. Circular economy (CE) models offer an innovative framework that emphasizes resource efficiency, waste minimization, and sustainable production-consumption cycles. This research examines the key policy tools—regulatory, economic, informational, and institutional—that can support the development of circular economies across GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.The study analyzes national strategies such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031, identifying gaps between policy ambition and execution. Findings reveal that while political commitment is growing, policy implementation remains inconsistent, hindered by weak enforcement, insufficient infrastructure, limited public awareness, and fragmented data systems. The paper offers practical recommendations, including regulatory reforms, subsidy restructuring, public-private partnerships, and the creation of a GCC-wide circular economy council.By employing a region-specific, multi-dimensional approach to policy design, GCC countries can accelerate their transition to a resilient, sustainable, and diversified economic model. This paper contributes to the global discourse on circular economy governance and provides a roadmap for effective policy action in resource-dependent regions.