HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah gives away an award to a schoolboy as HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and Issa bin Hilal al-Kuwari look on. Right: A section of the audience at the function. PICTURES: Thajuddin
By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter
HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada has underlined the importance of effective and efficient conservation of water and power resources for the sustainable development of society as well as the safety and security of future generations.
The minister said this yesterday at a function organised by Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) to mark the first anniversary of its five-year-long Tarsheed campaign, whose aim is to achieve an effective reduction of electricity and water consumption by the country’s residents.
Among the guests were several senior Qatari officials, including HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, and Kahramaa president Issa Hilal al-Kuwari.
Through the Tarsheed campaign, the country hopes to reduce the consumption of electricity by 20% and water by 35% over five years.
While highlighting the need to conserve the country’s resources, the minister said every resident was duty-bound to help the government attain its targets. He also appealed for enhanced co-ordination among residents and institutions at different levels so that the country could achieve its goals in an effective manner.
HE Dr al-Sada said as Qatar is assuming an important position in the global economic, financial and political arenas, it needs to put in place relevant environmental practices that will help ensure sustainable development.
Recalling the efforts made by the energy and industry ministry over the years in adopting effective environmental initiatives, the minister said such steps would help Qatar establish deep-rooted policies and practices that would eventually help attain better results in all aspects of development.
Tarsheed, he said, was launched by Kahramaa under the patronage of HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with the aim of preserving and conserving the country’s resources in an effective manner. “This effort is part of our greater conviction that no socio-economic growth can be sustained without a comprehensive vision that seeks to protect the environment for the generations to come - the same principle that guides the environmental objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Al-Kuwari said the first year of the national campaign helped generate considerable awareness about the conservation and efficient use of water and electricity among the country’s residents. “Tarsheed is now becoming a brand of choice for Kahramaa’s social responsibility programme to keep Qatar and its people moving and working together for a better living,” he added.
Kahramaa, said al-Kuwari, was committed to meeting the growing demand for electricity and water services through the adoption of environmentally and socially responsible methods. He added that the corporation was committed to the principles of sustainable development to fulfil present and future requirements.
At the ceremony, HE al-Attiyah, HE Dr al-Sada and al-Kuwari gave away awards to organisations that won honours in a green building competition for best buildings in the industrial, commercial, governmental and residential sectors.
Among the winners were the RasGas headquarters, building number 3 of Al Majaz, Ministry of Business & Trade and Qatari citizen and house owner Abdul Razaq Abubaker al-Muslih. The buildings have incorporated a number of energy-saving methods and techniques.
Also honoured were winners of a photography competition on energy conservation at schools.
Representatives of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, Qatar National Food Security Programme, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Ministry for Endowment and Islamic Affairs, Qatar Sports League, Barwa, Qatar University, Qatar Green Building Council and Unilever were felicitated for their support to the Tarsheed campaign.
BELOW: HE Dr al-Sada addresses the gathering at the Kahramaa function yesterday. PICTURE: Thajuddin