The Arabian Peninsula at the forefront of climate change—setting the research agenda

The countries of the Arabian Peninsula are at the forefront of climate change impacts. The future habitability of the region has been called into question, creating uncertainties regarding adaptation efforts. Governments, research donors and institutions as well as individual researchers have responded by investing in climate change research focusing on the region. The evidence has improved dramatically over the last three decades. This Mini Review takes stock of what is known and conducts a macro-trend assessment of available evidence to identify areas that require greater attention. With the knowledge, resources and infrastructure available to it, the region is well positioned to overcome risks and become a global leader in arid living. We propose a research agenda to guide the next decade. If capitalized upon, this can transition the region from being at the forefront of climate change risks to the forefront of resilient living.