SUSTAINABLE DECISION-MAKING FOR EFFICIENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A FOOD SECURITY CASE STUDY

Abstract

Food security is one of the most pressing current resource management problems. It has _x000D_ become a concern for many countries in the light of changing climatic conditions, _x000D_ unpredictable instabilities and increasing consumption of resources. The purpose of this _x000D_ thesis is to address food availability as part of the food security challenge, through _x000D_ suggesting a modular framework that tackles major complexities hindering efficient _x000D_ decision-making within the food sector. The methodology suggested is based on a bottom_x000D_ up approach comprised, aiming at a first stage, at enhancing local production. Three _x000D_ decision-making techniques are used as part of this research thesis. The first module is _x000D_ based on a combination of single-objective optimization models based on linear _x000D_ programming, stochastic programming, and game theory approach. The results obtained _x000D_ demonstrate that interesting interactions between systems, albeit competitive, can _x000D_ potentially result in the achievement of desired objectives under properly regulated _x000D_ markets, and is therefore envisaged as a promising contribution towards sustainable policy _x000D_ development and nexus governance. The second module suggests a methodology that _x000D_ utilises the nexus thinking to influence decision-making within the food sector considering _x000D_ the uncertainty in natural gas prices. It assesses technology alternatives for a domestic food _x000D_ production case in Qatar based on economic and environmental performance represented _x000D_ by global warming potential (GWP). Findings indicate that diversifying the energy and _x000D_ water mix through introducing more than 70% of renewable energy technologies reduces _x000D_ the environmental impact. The last section of the thesis integrates international trade into _x000D_ the analysis of the food sector through proposing a dynamic decision-making scheme that _x000D_ simulates strategies of the perishable food market in Qatar under different circumstances. _x000D_ The case is modelled using an agent-based model (ABM).

Date of Award	2019
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Science and Engineering