Manama: The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones "DANAT" has launched its 2025 Sustainability Report, along with its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Report and the Hayrat Project Initiative. This marks a significant step in the Institute's ongoing efforts to promote environmental responsibility, enhance scientific transparency, and support the conservation of Bahrain's natural pearl oyster beds.
According to Bahrain News Agency, this initiative underscores DANAT's dedication to integrating sustainability into its laboratory services, research, educational programs, outreach, governance, and operations. The reports provide scientific data that will inform future strategies in emissions management, marine sustainability, and the safeguarding of Bahrain's natural resources, which are crucial to the country's pearling heritage and its global reputation in natural pearls.
DANAT's 2025 Sustainability Report highlights the Institute's advancements in environmental, social, and governance sectors, with a strong emphasis on climate management, marine biodiversity, pearl oyster research, blue carbon studies, resource efficiency, education, outreach, and responsible operations. Since its inception, DANAT has tested over 32 million pearls and gemstones, showcasing the trust in the Institute and its expanding role as a specialized scientific authority serving both local and international sectors.
Complementing its climate-related disclosure efforts, DANAT also introduced its 2025 GHG Report, detailing the Institute's annual greenhouse gas emissions performance. This supports a more organized approach to managing its carbon footprint, building on the 2022-2024 GHG baseline inventory to better track progress and identify areas for improvement. The report reveals that DANAT's total GHG emissions in 2025 were 313.43 tCO2e, a 21.7% reduction compared to the 2022 baseline. Scope 2, related to purchased energy emissions, remains the largest contributor, emphasizing the importance of electricity and operational energy management.
The Hayrat Project Initiative aims to evaluate the current status of Bahrain's natural pearl oyster beds, compare findings with previous surveys, and provide evidence-based recommendations for long-term conservation. The initiative involves re-surveying key sites, assessing oyster abundance and density, evaluating population size structure, reviewing water and sediment quality, and assessing pearl occurrence and natural yield. The results show stable abundance and density classifications at most surveyed sites, with no signs of widespread collapse. There is a shift towards smaller oyster size classes, indicating ongoing natural recruitment, while water and sediment quality remain stable.
Noora Jamsheer, Chief Executive Officer of DANAT, stated that these publications reflect DANAT's commitment to sustainability within its institutional vision and scientific role. The Institute aims to align its initiatives with Bahrain's priorities in natural resource protection and environmental responsibility, creating a foundation for work that combines research, transparency, partnerships, and broader impact within and beyond the sector. Jamsheer emphasized the importance of understanding and managing Bahrain's natural pearl heritage to preserve its environmental, cultural, and economic value for future generations.
In the coming phase, DANAT plans to enhance sustainability governance, improve environmental performance, expand studies on pearl oysters and the marine environment, increase disclosure, and boost operational efficiency. The Institute will continue to leverage its scientific expertise to serve the sector, strengthen trust in natural pearls and gemstones, and protect one of Bahrain's most significant natural and cultural resources.