Environmental Resilience, Air Quality and Climate Adaptation in the GCC

Date: Wednesday, 02 Decemeber 2026
Time: 10:00–11:30 Brussels / 12:00–13:30 Riyadh / 13:00–14:30 UAE
Format: Online webinar (Webex)

About the Webinar

How can GCC cities become healthier, cooler and more resilient in the face of growing environmental and climate pressures?

Across the Gulf, rising temperatures, dust events, air quality challenges and rapid urban development are creating interconnected risks for cities and communities. Beyond their environmental impacts, these pressures affect public health, quality of life, infrastructure, economic productivity and the growing demand for energy and water.

Building on the first three webinars in the EU-GCC Resilient Green Transition Webinar Series 2026, which explored energy systems, water security and critical infrastructure resilience, this fourth session shifts the focus to the people, cities and ecosystems that these essential systems support.

The webinar will bring together European and GCC perspectives to examine how climate hazards and their wider impacts can be addressed through practical adaptation measures, innovative urban solutions and stronger cooperation.

Why This Webinar?

As GCC countries advance their green transition ambitions, strengthening environmental and climate resilience is becoming increasingly important for sustainable urban development and long-term economic competitiveness.

Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach that connects climate risk assessment, scientific research, urban planning, nature-based solutions and resilient infrastructure.

The webinar will explore how European and GCC expertise, technologies and practical experience can help translate climate adaptation priorities into effective action.

What Will Be Discussed?

The discussion will focus on three interconnected themes:

1. Climate Hazards and Cascading Impacts

Understanding how extreme heat, dust events, air pollution and other climate-related hazards affect public health, urban infrastructure, productivity and the wider economy. The discussion will also explore the role of environmental monitoring, early warning systems, climate risk assessment and integrated adaptation planning, drawing on EU and GCC experience.

2. Urban Heat and Nature-Based Solutions

Exploring how urban greening, tree planting, shading and green infrastructure can reduce heat exposure, improve local microclimates and create healthier, more liveable cities. Particular attention will be given to practical solutions suited to arid environments, including appropriate vegetation, water-efficient landscaping and ecosystem protection.

3. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Building Design

Highlighting practical innovations in sustainable building materials, climate-responsive architecture, passive cooling and integrated urban planning. Drawing on examples from GCC developments, the discussion will examine how these approaches can reduce cooling demand, strengthen resilience and be adapted or scaled across the region.

The moderated discussion will bring these perspectives together, exploring how different solutions complement one another, lessons for implementation and potential opportunities for EU-GCC cooperation.

Supporting EU Green Diplomacy Through Practical Cooperation

Environmental resilience is an important dimension of EU Green Diplomacy, which promotes international dialogue and cooperation to address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

This webinar supports these wider objectives by creating an opportunity for European and GCC stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share practical experiences and explore solutions for climate adaptation, sustainable cities and ecosystem resilience.

By connecting European technical expertise with GCC research and practical implementation experience, the discussion will help identify opportunities for knowledge exchange, technical cooperation and future partnerships that support more resilient cities and communities.

Bringing Together European and Gulf Expertise

The webinar will provide an interactive platform for policymakers, environmental and climate authorities, researchers, municipalities, urban planners and private-sector experts from Europe and the GCC.

The proposed format includes a short EU scene-setting perspective on climate risks and adaptation, followed by practical regional examples and a moderated panel discussion exploring how different approaches can contribute to stronger environmental resilience.

Participants will also have an opportunity to contribute questions and perspectives during the discussion.

Speakers and the detailed programme will be announced shortly.

Who Should Attend?

The webinar is open to stakeholders interested in environmental resilience, climate adaptation and the green transition, including:

• Government officials and policymakers

• EU Delegations and European Commission services

• Environmental, climate and municipal authorities

• Urban planners, architects and sustainable city development professionals

• Air quality, environmental monitoring and climate researchers

• Utilities, cooling and infrastructure operators

• Nature conservation and ecosystem restoration organisations

• Private-sector technology and environmental solution providers

• Universities, research institutions and international organisations

Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain practical insights into the interconnected environmental and climate challenges facing GCC cities, their wider implications and the range of adaptation solutions available.

The discussion will also seek to identify opportunities for EU-GCC knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, applied research and potential future initiatives, particularly around air quality monitoring, urban heat mitigation, nature-based solutions and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Insights from the webinar will contribute to the wider EU-GCC Resilient Green Transition Webinar Series 2026, helping inform upcoming discussions on green infrastructure investment and future cooperation priorities.

Join Us

Join us on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, for the fourth webinar in the EU-GCC Resilient Green Transition Webinar Series 2026, as we explore how Europe and the GCC can work together to build healthier, cooler and more resilient cities and ecosystems.

Participation is free and open to all interested stakeholders.

Register now to secure your place and receive programme and speaker updates.