Exeter Gulf Conference - Lifeworlds of Energy & Environment in the Gulf

The Gulf is at one the site of some of the world’s largest hydrocarbon reservoirs and one of the areas of the planet most exposed to environmental crises. The United Arab Emirate’s (UAE) presidency of COP28 in 2023, and sustainability as the main theme of the Dubai Expo have brought into start relief the paradox of dependence on fossil fuels in the economic and political life of the region at exactly the moment of intensification of climate change and environmental degradation.

More than 50% of the world’s known petroleum reserves and more than 40% of the world’s known natural gas reserves are located in the Gulf. At the same time, land erosion, depletion of groundwater, salination of rivers, drought, desiccation of coastal sabkhas and mangroves are redefining lives and livelihoods in the region. Financialisaton of fossil production, increase in the production of plastics and hydrocarbons, and ineffective technologies around carbon capture and trade-off only exacerbate the crisis. At the same time, grassroots mobilisation for just transition and environmental causes are taking hold and growing in the region, despite attempts by governments to suppress them. Awareness of fossil entanglements in life, arts, and business spur on political, social, and artistic movements to highlight the effects of climate change.

The 34th Exeter Gulf Conference (27th & 28th June 2024) takes this urgent moment as the starting point to ask new questions about the life worlds of petroleum and ecological crisis in the region (defined broadly to include the Arabian Peninsula, Iran & Iraq).

Once ticket has been purchased, attendees will receive e-copies of the schedule and brochure for the conference (both days).

The information you provide in signing up for this conference will be used to communicate with you about the University of Exeter, future conferences and events hosted by the Centre for Gulf Studies (CGS) and the Institute of Arab & Islamic Studies (IAIS). Your personal details will be securely processed in line with GDPR & the University of Exeter's privacy policies.

Host or Publisher University of Exeter