国际战略研究中心-可持续国家：环境、治理与中东的未来（英文）-2021.5-88页_9mb

Summary of "SUSTAINABLE STATES: Environment, Governance, and the Future of the Middle East"

Core Content

This report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Middle East Program examines the role of environmentally sustainable service provision in three Middle Eastern countries: Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia. It highlights the importance of sustainable practices in public utilities—power, water and sanitation, and solid waste—as a means to address public grievances, improve governance, and build trust between citizens and governments. The study also emphasizes the need for institutional and political reforms to support these sustainability efforts, especially in a region facing significant environmental and socio-political challenges.

Main Viewpoints

• Environmental Sustainability as a Tool for Governance: Sustainable utility services can improve public trust, enhance local governance, and create a positive feedback loop that supports broader social and economic development.
• Regional Challenges: The Middle East is one of the most water-scarce regions in the world, with growing populations and climate change exacerbating the situation. Energy demands are also rising, straining infrastructure and increasing reliance on external sources.
• Role of Technology and Decentralization: Sustainable solutions often involve decentralized systems, less technical complexity, and lower operating costs. These can foster local participation, skill development, and innovation.
• Need for Political and Institutional Reform: Sustainable projects require not only technological solutions but also political will and institutional capacity. In many cases, legacy systems and political fragmentation hinder progress.

Key Information

Jordan

• Energy and Water Challenges: Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, importing nearly 94% of its energy and relying heavily on external aid.
• Renewables as a Priority: The government introduced the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Law (REEEL) in 2012, aiming to boost renewable energy capacity to 1.8 gigawatts by 2020.
• Successes and Setbacks: Jordan became a leader in renewable energy growth in the Middle East and globally by 2018. However, a one-megawatt cap on new renewable projects in 2019 disrupted the industry and raised concerns about long-term sustainability and job creation.
• Future Prospects: To advance renewables, Jordan needs to improve grid capacity, revise legal frameworks, and enhance transparency in planning and implementation. The Green Corridor project is one such initiative.

Lebanon

• Decentralized System: Lebanon's service delivery is highly decentralized, but it is often captured by sectarian actors and business interests, which prioritize maintaining political and economic power.
• Water and Sanitation: Water scarcity and poor governance are major issues, with high levels of informal housing and limited access to public utilities in some areas.
• Public Dissatisfaction: The lack of reliable services and the perception of corruption have fueled public discontent, making sustainable reforms essential for long-term stability.

Tunisia

• Post-Revolution Governance: Tunisia, emerging from a revolution, is attempting to build new systems to replace the authoritarian past. However, old institutions often resist change.
• Sustainability and Trust: The country faces challenges in implementing sustainable solutions due to weak institutions and a lack of trust in government. Sustainable projects can help build trust and encourage local participation.

Commonalities and Obstacles

• Shared Challenges: All three countries face similar environmental and governance issues, including water scarcity, energy dependency, and political fragmentation.
• Trust Deficit: Institutional trust is low in the Middle East, which hinders the success of public projects. Citizens often doubt the ability of governments to deliver positive change.
• Need for Resilience: Sustainable service provision is crucial for increasing resilience and reducing vulnerability in an unstable region. It can also support long-term economic growth and public welfare.

Conclusion

• Sustainability as a Strategic Goal: Sustainable utility services are not only environmentally necessary but also economically viable and politically beneficial. They can help address public grievances, improve governance, and foster trust.
• Pathways to Success: Success requires a combination of technological innovation, institutional reform, and political will. It also demands collaboration with international stakeholders and a focus on local engagement and skill development.
• Broader Implications: The report argues that sustainable service provision can be a catalyst for broader social and economic change, helping to create a more stable and prosperous Middle East.

About the Authors

• Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Will Todman are the authors of the report. They are affiliated with the CSIS Middle East Program and have conducted extensive research on governance and sustainability in the region.

References

1. Jordan's government spending is among the highest in the world relative to its economy.
2. Jordan has no oil reservoirs and little natural gas.
3. Jordan's debt reached over 100% of GDP due to the economic impact of the pandemic.
4. Jordan's population is projected to increase by 20% in the next decade.
5. The Green Corridor project aims to address grid capacity issues.
6. Renewable energy projects have been disrupted by policy changes and external dependencies.
7. The report emphasizes the importance of transparency and inclusive decision-making in sustainable projects.