By Ayman Adly/Staff Reporter
Qatar has been making steady progress in terms of tackling climate change issues and taken steps to promote the use of clean and renewable energy, HE the Minister of Environment Ahmed Amer Mohamed al-Humaidi told a forum on “Climate change: opportunities and challenges.”
Al-Humaidi said the country is well-known for its clean LNG industry. “Besides, solar panels are increasingly being used and the idea of using alternative, clean and renewable sources of energy is becoming popular.”
He said that stations for monitoring air quality have been set up across Qatar. “The Environment Ministry is keen to work closely with different industries and decrease CO2 emission through the use of sophisticated technology. Similarly, the use of leaded fuel has been abandoned a
long time ago.”
The minister added, “The country invests heavily in environment-friendly projects and is keen to expand green areas along roads and highways. In collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, the number of public gardens, parks and other green areas and trees will be considerably increased in the near future. Efforts in this respect are
proceeding well.”
Regarding the efforts in encouraging local farmers to increase production, he said the ministry provides them with necessary seeds, fertilisers, fodder and equipment, beside technical support. “In addition, the ministry has introduced a number of open yards for sale of Qatari farm products in different locations. These have been instrumental in helping local farmers display and sell their
produce.”
The minister said, “The environment pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, laid down by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, stresses the importance of climate change and that it’s necessary that Qatar become a pioneer in this field. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment has set up a specialised
department for climate change.”
Representatives from Qatargas, Qatar General Water and Electricity Corporation (Kahramaa), RasGas, Qatar Fuel Additives Co, educational institutions and other companies and government bodies, participated in the forum organised by the Ministry of Environment in Doha on Monday.
“Qatar is one of the leading countries engaged in tackling climate change and was one of the first that ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1996,” the
minister pointed out.
He said Qatar is preparing to take part in the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in November, where its achievements and projects on the issue will be presented.
HE Ahmed Amer Mohamed al-Humaidi speaking at a forum in Doha.
