Dr Sa’d Abdel-Halim Shannak, Scientist at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Hamad Bin Khalifa University, explains that the cumulative impact of individual actions plays a critical role in shaping the environment.
“Our collective choices shape the world we live in,” he says. “Each small decision – how we commute, what we buy, or how much waste we produce – adds up. Reducing our footprint helps slow global warming, conserve natural resources, and could play a part in improving air quality right where we live.”
Everyday consumption habits leave a measurable climate impact. For example, producing a single polyester shirt can generate around 5.5 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide – more than double the emissions of a cotton equivalent. Red meat is among the most carbon-intensive foods, while fruits and vegetables typically carry a much lighter environmental footprint.
Dr Shannak emphasises that simple, practical actions can collectively make a meaningful difference. Choosing public transport or carpooling, keeping air conditioners at moderate temperatures, reducing single-use plastic, supporting local products, and minimizing food waste are all ways to lower emissions.
Workplaces can also contribute by adopting green procurement practices (purchasing goods and services that are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, low-waste, and sustainably produced) and encouraging low-carbon commuting. Moderation in daily habits can make a measurable impact, he explains.
“Climate change doesn’t recognise borders,” Dr Shannak explains. “Whether it’s an individual household or an entire nation, cutting emissions means building a more resilient and sustainable future.”
QF’s Education City serves as a living laboratory and national testbed for sustainability in action. It is home to the world’s largest concentration of LEED-certified student housing, and its community-led initiatives help ensure the campus operates as a thriving green space guided by sustainable practices. Within this environment, researchers collaborate across academia and industry to develop solutions that address Qatar’s priorities while contributing to global sustainability efforts. These initiatives are further strengthened through international partnerships that advance existing projects and create opportunities for new ones.
“Projects like Green Island – a recycling hub and edutainment platform in Education City – remind us that environmental change starts locally,” says Dr Shannak. “By integrating art, education, and sustainability, such spaces make environmental awareness tangible and inspiring, especially for younger generations.
“And high-impact research initiatives that address national priorities, like those led by QEERI, complement these community efforts by developing tools, technologies and influencing policies that make sustainable choices easier and more effective. Together, community engagement and research-driven solutions are accelerating Qatar’s progress toward a greener, low-carbon future.”
So, what does the future look like if we succeed in lowering our carbon footprint? According to Dr Shannak: “It’s a more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible Qatar. Reducing our footprint means better air quality, healthier communities, and a future where economic prosperity and environmental protection go hand in hand.”