The public concerns about the possible environment-related crisis emerged many decades ago, but, as practice shows, society is still unprepared for crises of any type, and the COVID-19 pandemic proves this statement. Thus, the international community should initiate social changes that will help avoid or, at least, minimize the risks of climate change and ecological catastrophe. These changes have already started to happen in many countries, and they include step-by-step transition towards more inclusive societies with low or zero carbon emissions (OECD, 2020). A lot of Middle East countries have also begun the process of low-carbon urban development, and those projects are quite popular among investors and businessmen.
The popularity of decreasing carbon emissions in the Middle East is explained quite simply. Climate change is currently the major problem the population of the region may face because the air temperature rises, sea levels get higher, and the frequency of extreme weather events significantly increases (Fawaz, 2021). The ecologists tie these problems to carbon emissions, the major part of which comes from big cities. Since almost two-thirds of the Middle East population lives in cities, and the number continues to grow, the low-carbon urban development presents a good way to minimize the risks of climate change in the region. At the same time, the only number that grows in the majority of the cities in the region concerns only the population but not the quality of life or citizens’ well-being (Elgendy and Abaza, 2020). Thus, the whole economies of the Middle East countries may need improvement in terms of reducing carbon emissions in the cities.
It is worth mentioning that the first projects that concern the construction of so-called smart cities are currently realized in the Middle East. The main part of them belongs to the technologies they use, which helps make people’s lives easier without imposing a carbon emissions-related thread on the environment. Smart cities are built around people but not around cars or huge factories, and that is why they use only renewable energy (Elten and Corbett, 2021). The most famous projects of smart cities in the Middle East are Masdar which is now built in Abu-Dhabi, and The Line, which should be built by 2030 and become the largest smart city.
These projects are closely connected with the so-called triple bottom line that concerns people, the planet, and profit. The theory goes far beyond the traditional understanding of business in which those who gain the most benefits are stakeholders, the company itself, of managers who make decisions. The triple theory was developed by John Elkington in 1990th, and it concerns the unity of social and environmental responsibility and economic impact (GCU, 2021). Elkington’s theory presumed that if people and the planet are affected by business, they will get some benefits from it (GCU, 2021). The profit presumes not only money but also its positive or negative influence on the local or global economy.
Companies may influence the planet in both harmful and positive ways, and that is why the smart cities in the Middle East and all around the world are closely related to this theory. It is quite easy to establish a connection between low-carbon urban development and people because living in cities with almost zero carbon emissions presumes better health conditions and low risks of different lung or heart diseases. Apart from that, people will be less preoccupied with the possibilities of car accidents since smart cities will have no cars and the transport there concerns a high-speed underground (Elten and Corbett, 2021). When speaking about the planet and the benefits the project bears to it, it is necessary to mention the evident one, which is reducing carbon emissions. It contributes to lowering the risk of climate change and global warming as well as helps recreate the ozone layer. Moreover, the companies which support this ecological initiative of building cities with lower or zero carbon emissions set an example to other businesses to do so, and more companies get involved in the project.
The final component of the triple bottom line that is profit means not only the fact that corporations involved in building smart cities with zero levels of carbon emissions will get a million revenues. It also signifies that this business initiative will help reach positive changes in the world without any harm to the finances o the companies involved in the projects (Miller, 2020). Moreover, the concept of smart cities contributes to sustainability and gives the participants the reputation of eco-friendly businesses that are highly valued in the sphere today. It means that the company values not only the revenue and other benefits it may get from its projects but their influence on the environment as well.
Taking into consideration all mentioned above, it is possible to conclude that low-carbon urban development is strongly connected with the triple bottom line theory. First of all, people will surely benefit from this initiative because they will no longer breathe dangerous gas and their health conditions will improve. Apart from that, the project contributes to reducing the risks of climate change and helps stabilize the state of the environment. Finally, smart cities will give the companies involved in their construction the reputation of ecology supporters since their contribution will cause positive changes for the world and the planet.
Reference List
Elgendy, K. and Abaza, N. (2020) ‘Urbanization in the MENA region: A benefit or a curse?’ Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
Elten, L. and Corbett, I. (2021) Sustainability in the Middle East – transitioning to a lower carbon econo9my by building smart cities?’ Kennedys.
Fawaz, M. (2021) ‘A viable future for cities in the Middle East’ MEI.
GCU (2021) ‘People, planet, profit: Looking at the triple bottom line.’ GCU Blogs.
Miller, K. (2020) ‘The triple bottom line: What it is & why it’s important’. Harvard Business School Online.
OECD (2020) ‘Building back better: A sustainable, resilient recovery after COVID-19’ OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus.