ExxonMobil Qatar has celebrated 15th anniversary of ExxonMobil Research Qatar (ERQ), which is dedicated to supporting the country's strategic goals through research, education outreach, and capacity-building initiatives.

EMRQ's efforts are driven by the Qatar National Vision 2030 long-term objectives and made possible through close collaboration with key partners like the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, Qatar University among others.

"Our mission at EMRQ is to advance sustainable solutions by working with nature... In the past 15 years, the centre supported our stakeholders and local projects to progress research that aims to protect local ecosystems and contribute to Qatar’s sustainability goals," said Dr Easa al-Musleh, EMRQ’s Research Director.

In 2023, EMRQ transitioned to a Center for Nature-based Solutions (NbS), which involves using natural systems to solve modern challenges like water conservation and biodiversity loss. The centre’s focus on NbS is to support Qatar’s environmental initiatives to protect and restore ecosystems that address challenges to benefit people and nature.

EMRQ focuses on three main research areas: environmental management, water resource management, and geoscience. Its achievements in these areas over the years showcase the centre’s strong partnerships and underscore its commitment to supporting Qatar’s sustainable future.

"Our help towards local efforts to protect Qatar’s iconic dugong population and help preserve nature reserves, such as those in Khor Al Udaid, have raised awareness and fostered appreciation for the country’s natural heritage,” said Ismail al-Shaikh, EMRQ’s Technical Co-ordinator.

The centre is committed to education, empowering scientists and PhD students, while inspiring school students to pursue successful careers in research. It actively engages the next generation of environmental stewards through its outreach programmes.

“We want to get youth out into the field so they can see and experience why a particular ecosystem is so important. We’re not just taking information to the classroom; we’re bringing the classroom to experience ecosystems firsthand and be part of the scientific journey,” said Dr Benjamin Jaffe, EMRQ’s Environmental and Biodiversity Management Lead.

By harnessing the power of NbS, the EMRQ team is not only addressing today’s challenges but also paving the way for a sustainable and innovative tomorrow and supporting Qatar National Vision 2030. The road ahead holds great potential, and the team looks forward to seeing how their efforts will contribute to a brighter tomorrow.

“The younger generation can make a difference to the environment by understanding the world around them and being engaged, being curious, and inquisitive. The beauty of science is that the more you learn the less you know. We want to show young people that science isn't just about labs – it’s about real-world solutions,” Dr PJ Moore, EMRQ’s Geoscience Lead, said, adding "this anniversary is as much about the future as it is about the past."