• Focus Area Productivity and Economic Diversification Productivity and Economic Diversification
  • Type Discussion paper
  • Date 2 September 2016
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Abstract

An unprecedented infrastructure investment boom occurred in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the first part of the 21st century. Strong public capital spending supported by high energy prices provided governments with an opportunity to accelerate economic diversification and infrastructure investment, lifting economic growth and per capita incomes. The 2014 collapse in oil prices created an added impetus for a transition to a more sustainable growth model less dependent on volatile energy markets. Here we make the case for a greater focus on energy productive investment to drive this transition.

Authors

Steven Fawkes

Steven Fawkes

Visiting Researcher Steven has over 30 years experience in energy efficiency with particular expertise in financing. His main focus is financing energy… Steven has over 30 years experience in energy efficiency with particular expertise in financing. His main focus is financing energy efficiency. He has published extensively on energy efficiency including more than 250 papers and articles, three books and a regular blog: www.onlyelevenpercent.com

Nicholas Howarth

Nicholas Howarth

Former Research Fellow Nicholas is an applied economist specializing in economic growth, energy and natural resource and environmental economics. He was leading KAPSARC… Nicholas is an applied economist specializing in economic growth, energy and natural resource and environmental economics. He was leading KAPSARC research on energy productivity and is a subject matter expert on energy efficiency, industrial strategy and energy pricing with KAPSARC Advisory. He has received several awards for his published work, including recognition for his first book on carbon markets by the American benchmarking journal Choice as a top 25 academic publication in the category of economics in 2010. Nicholas is an experienced policy advisory, thought leader and project manager with strengths in interdisciplinary issues and applied policy gained from working as a ministerial adviser in Australia and in a variety of international roles. He is also an experienced lecturer and public speaker on energy productivity, green growth and sustainable development and has presented work at a range of technical and policy fora including meetings of the International Association of Energy Economists and in support of the G20 Energy and Sustainability Working Group and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals processes.

Moncef Krarti

Moncef Krarti

Former Visiting Researcher Moncef was a visiting researcher with over 30 years of experience in designing, testing, and assessing innovative energy efficiency and… Moncef was a visiting researcher with over 30 years of experience in designing, testing, and assessing innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies applied to buildings. He is a professor and a coordinator of the Building Systems Program, Civil, Environment and Architectural Department at the University of Colorado.

Padu Padmanabhan

Padu Padmanabhan

Visiting Researcher Padu is a visiting researcher at KAPSARC. He is the former program director of the South Asia Regional Initiative for… Padu is a visiting researcher at KAPSARC. He is the former program director of the South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) and senior energy advisor for USAID/India’s bilateral economic assistance program. He has also worked with the World Bank in Washington DC.

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