Stakeholder Governance of the Energy-Biodiversity Nexus in the Renewable Energy Sector: Pathways to Achieve SDGs in the MENA Region
This publication was released as part of the UNU Resource Nexus focus area Transformed Landscapes.
This systematic review examines stakeholder roles in managing biodiversity within renewable-energy projects across the MENA region, a highly climate-vulnerable region yet pursuing rapid energy transition toward achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The focus is on regulatory bodies and sector companies as primary actors. A literature review of a total of 45 documents, including peer-reviewed articles and official technical reports, has been investigated. Findings reveal stakeholder asymmetry: National governments, international agencies, and firms dominate decision making, while communities and NGOs' involvement remains marginal. Positioned against Sustainable Development Goals SDG 7, SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14–15 (Life Below Water/Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships), the number of academic literature covering the topic in the MENA region remains limited. Hence, with the adoption of stakeholder theory and the resource nexus approach, the review results emphasize the need for in-depth qualitative research to further evaluate the mainstreaming of biodiversity across project lifecycles and ensure balanced, accountable roles among stakeholders.
