The State of Qatar is committed to upholding a balance between climate action requirements and sustainable economic development, while ensuring fairness and taking into account countries' national circumstances and priorities, Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Eng. Ahmad Mohammed Al Sada, said.
In an interview with the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Sada said the State of Qatar's participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkiye, from Nov. 9 to 20, comes as part of its efforts to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and actively contribute to global efforts to address climate change.
Eng. Al Sada pointed out that the State of Qatar's position underscores the importance of maintaining a balance among emissions-reduction pathways, adaptation to climate change impacts and means of implementation, including financing, technology development and transfer, and capacity-building.
He also stressed that what matters most is for developed countries to fulfill their responsibilities by providing the essential support to developing nations.
Al Sada added that the State of Qatar places considerable importance on achieving economic diversification in tandem with implementing mitigation and adaptation measures, thereby safeguarding sustainable economic development and augmenting the country's contribution to global efforts to address climate change.
The State of Qatar remains dead-set on preserving the balance enshrined in the Paris Agreement and upholding the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), noting that the outcomes of negotiations must take countries' national circumstances and development priorities into account, while recognizing the vast differences in their capabilities and needs.
The State of Qatar believes emissions can be reduced through various solutions and technologies without requiring countries to dispense with any particular fuel sources, he said, underscoring the importance of safeguarding energy security, respecting national circumstances and striking a balance between economic development requirements and climate action objectives.
Technology and innovation, Eng. Al Sada highlighted, constitute a bedrock of the State of Qatar's climate action approach, encompassing the development of carbon capture and storage technologies, the expansion of solar energy use, improvements in electricity and water production efficiency, the promotion of electric and sustainable transportation, and the development of systems for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions.
Regarding national efforts, he stressed that the State of Qatar's approach hinges on linking climate action with sustainable development priorities, in line with its National Vision 2030, emphasizing that this approach also shines a spotlight on national initiatives aimed at reducing emissions, augmenting resource-use efficiency, expanding clean energy and bolstering adaptation efforts to address climate change impacts.
The Assistant Undersecretary pointed out that the State of Qatar aims to implement emissions-mitigation measures equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 42 million metric tons by 2040, as part of its national efforts to achieve its climate objectives.
On adaptation efforts and environmental protection, Al Sada highlighted that the State of Qatar's priorities encompass water, biodiversity, agriculture, food security, public health, infrastructure, coastal resilience, energy and industry. They also include protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves and coral reefs, preserving natural habitats and bolstering vital sectors' capacity to cope with climate-related risks, including rising temperatures, water scarcity and rising sea levels.
He further noted that participation in the conference provides an opportunity to showcase national efforts and initiatives in sustainability and climate action, augment the exchange of expertise with countries and international organizations, and explore solutions that can substantially strengthen communities' and vital sectors' capacity to adapt to climate impacts.
In a related context, Al Sada reaffirmed the State of Qatar's commitment to continuing its cooperation with countries and international organizations to share expertise and support joint initiatives in emissions reduction and climate adaptation. The State of Qatar also coordinates its positions within negotiating blocs, including the Arab Group, in a bid to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and safeguard its national interests, he continued.
Eng. Al Sada further recalled that MECC consistently works to strengthen public awareness of the importance of climate action through programs, environmental initiatives and partnerships with educational enterprises and the private sector.
Such efforts, he suggested, help translate international recommendations and outcomes into sustainable practices and entrench environmental responsibility across all segments of society.
Lastly, Eng. Al Sada said the central message Qatar intends to convey through its participation in this conference is that addressing climate change is a shared responsibility requiring genuine international cooperation and an unwavering focus on implementation.
He stressed that this requires striking a balance among emissions reduction, adaptation and means of implementation, while taking countries' circumstances and the principles of equity into account and ensuring the provision of financing, technology transfer and capacity-building.
This, he said, is essential to turning international pledges into concrete results that support sustainable development for present and future generations.