Advancing Sustainable Mobility in GCC Countries: A Pathway to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are accelerating sustainable mobility as part of national visions and net-zero agendas, yet progress remains uneven across the region. This paper provides a comparative, mixed-method assessment of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE using a unified indicator framework spanning mass-transit maturity, fleet electrification, energy-transition enabling conditions, TOD/land-use integration, and first/last-mile accessibility. Quantitative indicators (e.g., metro/rail presence and ridership where available, EV adoption signals, renewable-energy shares, and transport-related emissions proxies) are combined with qualitative evidence from official policy and vision documents. Results show that the UAE and Qatar lead due to advanced rail networks, stronger climate policy implementation, and faster EV and public-transport deployment; Saudi Arabia is an emerging performer with large-scale projects under implementation. Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman remain constrained by limited mass-transit infrastructure, early-stage electrification, and persistent car dependence. There are also practical first/last-mile measures that are being discussed and clustered policy recommendations to support SDG 7, SDG 11, and SDG 13, including coordinated EV standards, interoperable charging, and TOD guidance suitable for GCC urban contexts.