Overview
This book is the epitome of modern Qatar and its brave march towards progress, and it highlights the thorough development the country is witnessing. This book specifically sheds the light on the capability of Qatari Institutions to achieve sustainable development and rebel against climate change issues, which in turn revolve around energy, industry and urban environment, especially that the state of Qatar is one of the most committed countries to contain the climate change and achieve sustainable development for prosperity, where the issues of sustainability and climate change are the first priorities to achieve. The publication of the book constitutes an important opportunity to review the global development plans and programs applied at the level of sustainability and public health and to promote and support national transformation programs and to identify possible alternatives that constitute supportive mechanisms and methodologies of the distinguished execution of Qatar Vision 2030.
The book is divided into 7 main chapters as follows:
1- Qatar National Strategy for Environment and Climate Change
This introductory chapter sheds light on Qatar’s interest in environmental issues and its protection from the dangers of pollution in order to keep the integrity of its elements and sources, which are mandatory basis for the continuation of a safe human life, based on its awareness that the issue of keeping the environment is no longer a luxury or an opulence, but has become an essential issue with a high degree of importance towards man and nature that must be preserved from all risks that occur to it (Hukoomi, 2020).
This chapter also highlights the environmental purposes and objectives that should be reached and given priority in several areas such as greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, along with the issue of biodiversity, water, biological economy, circular economy, and waste management (Al-Watan, 2020).
2- Qatari research institutions…an active role in protecting the environment from the risks of pollution
This chapter addresses the significant role that research plays in evaluating potential environmental risks and determining possible solutions. Effective and experienced environmental institutions in the State of Qatar conduct relevant research, along with spreading and boosting public awareness about environmental protection as well as encouraging the use of green technology. Therefore, the government of Qatar provides its full support to start-up companies, research centers and organizations that keep pace with innovation and development in the fields of environmental preservation, sustainability and technology. (Al-Saad, 2022). Qatar Science and Technology Park is a leading center for applied sciences, technological innovation, project incubation and entrepreneurship. A number of its projects aim to develop cleaner and more efficient fuels, while at the same time focusing on discovering new ways to produce energy. QEERI conducts and coordinates long-term various research fields that meets urgent national priorities concerning water security, energy and the environment. (Qatar Foundation, 2017).
3- Sustainability of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Sustainability was a major focus of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the State of Qatar has adhered to establishing a sustainable legacy in a number of key areas such as infrastructure, environment, social development and entrepreneurship. Sustainability and the use of sites and equipment after the tournament is over are important considerations in designing the stadiums for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and their surrounding areas (Al-Raya, 2020).
All the eight stadiums that will host the matches will serve the local community or other countries in different ways after the event. A number of stadiums are characterized by a complex design that allows additional seats to be dismantled after the end of the 2022 World Cup, including Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, the first World Cup stadium that can be completely dismantled. The stadiums are also designed in a way that ensures 30% less energy consumption and 40% less water consumption during use (Higher Legacy Committee, 2022).
4- Sustainable cities in Qatar… Designs that combine eco-friendly technology and improved urban planning:
During the last decade, the State of Qatar has adopted the approach of building sustainable and eco-friendly cities, as it now incubate many cities, most notably the cities of Lusail and Msheireb, the heart of Doha, which are two smart and sustainable cities, designed to combine eco-friendly technology and improved urban planning. The two cities fulfill the highest environmental standards, and promote environmental stewardship and research. (Hukoomi, 2021).
These cities are designed in a shape that decreases the need for private cars, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions and easing traffic congestion. they were (cities) designed to conserve water sustainably via the use of modern technologies and practices that reduce water consumption by up to 30%, and to enhance energy efficiency via more than 5,200 solar panels that provide electricity and hot water. The Qatar Green Building Council adopts environmentally sustainable practices to design and develop sustainable infrastructure nationwide (Goord, 2016).
5– Sustainable transportation in Qatar
The State of Qatar has made advanced stages in executing eco-friendly sustainable transport plans since the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, has begun to implement the strategy of complete and gradual transformation to electric buses, which aims to convert public transport buses to operate with electric power by 2030. Moreover, Qatar has completed establishing all the infrastructure facilities that serve the first phase of this strategy, such as building stations and warehouses for buses. Qatar has invested extensively in public transport projects and sustainable infrastructure with the aim of building an integrated global intermodal transport system that provides reliable, safe and eco-friendly services (Qatar Airways, 2016).
The Doha Metro is the mainstay of the State of Qatar’s vision of an integrated public transport system that aims to revolutionize the transport sector in all parts of Doha. Hamad sea Port is also a modern and flexible shipping center that is guided by internationally approved sustainability standards. Also, Qatar Airways is committed to cooperating with the aviation sector in order to achieve the desired environmental goals. It is accredited by the Environmental Assessment Program of the International Air Transport Association, which provides a framework to ensure continuous improvement of environmental performance through various operational functions (Al Sharq, 2018).
6- The energy sector in Qatar… an urgent desire to reduce carbon emissions
The State of Qatar is organizing long-term research to tackle with environmental priorities in the energy sector, from reducing the amount of methane gas to collaborating with strategic partners to develop carbon capture and storage and integrating them into all operations (Qatar University, 2019).
As one of the leading exporters of liquefied natural gas, which is one of the cleanest fuels in the world, Qatar works to meet the energy needs of other countries, while decreasing carbon emissions resulting from the use of coal.
7- Interviews
This book is of an academic type, as it contains, in addition to its content, a pivotal one on one interviews with a number of officials in the environment and sustainable development sector, as well as the largest CEOs of Qatari companies operating in this field. This chapter sheds light on the measures taken by national companies and those foreign workers working in Qatar to ensure the safety and maintenance of the environment, and to achieve the sustainable development sought by the State of Qatar.
The book includes interviews with a number of prominent officials as follow:
- Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality
- Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of Energy
- Saad Al Mohannadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal)
- CEO of Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy
- CEO of QAPCO
- CEO of ExxonMobil
- CEO of Qatari Diar
- CEO of Barwa Real Estate
- CEO of QDVC
- CEO of Shell Qatar
- CEO of KAHRAMAA
Shield of Excellence in Environmental Sustainability
It is planned that the sponsors will be honored by distributing a special shield, which will be distributed on the sidelines of the commemorative book launch ceremony. the honoring ceremony aims to promote the participation of private sector in environmental outreach, reducing environmental footprint,, raising environmental toward members of society, instilling Sustainable development, dissemination of the concept of environmental culture among the various sectors of society, and the promotion of a sense of community environmental responsibility.