The Gulf Environments Research Institute (GERI) serves to better understand the impact of environmental changes, both now and in the future, on the various environments of the GCC. With climate change already impacting these environments, GERI acts as a focal point for collecting and analyzing data that demonstrates the influence of climate change on natural and built environments in the region, with particular focus on the GCC’s marine habitats. Through the acquisition of this research, the institute will work with other stakeholders to create and implement policies that will protect the natural environments of the GCC, to the benefit of the wider community.

The institute provides a hub through which expertise is cultivated and developed, providing opportunities for professionals in the marine and environmental sciences to further their education and training, and promote their research to a local and global audience.

Our vision is to become the regional leader in understanding present and future impacts of climate change on environments and societies, serving as the leading hub for collecting, analyzing, and simulating marine, coastal and environmental process data in the Gulf region.

Our mission is driven by Goal 14 of the United Nations Sustainable Development 2030 agenda: “to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.”

With this goal in mind, the GERI will work to better understand the natural and built environments, economies and societies in the Gulf through the implementation of new research models, with a focus on climate change and our marine environment.

We will contribute to the conservation of economically and ecologically important marine species and habitats and assess the effects of large-scale coastal development projects on physical, biogeochemical and biological processes in the Gulf.

The GERI will serve as regional hub for science and engineering environmental modeling, knowledge and data, and will engage with established global networks and programs. We will share our knowledge with key stakeholders and partner with them as we create policies for the protection of Gulf natural environments and Gulf societies.

With a view to secure the sustainability our environment, we will develop local and regional expertise in marine and environmental sciences, as well as coastal engineering through terminal degree programs and professional training.