*Two-day Sustainability Summit begins in Doha
Qatar's outstanding progress in green building practices, ways to reduce climate change impact as well as sustainability achievements were among the highlights of the first day of the Qatar Sustainability Summit, which opened Sunday at St Regis Doha.
“In co-operation with Qatari Diar, Gord has unleashed its full potential and resources to implement a range of programmes contributing towards the promotion of sustainability practices within built environment," noted Dr Yousef Alhorr , founding chairman of Gord during his address at the inaugural session of the summit.
An exhibition, featuring several sustainability practices, is also taking place along with the two-day summit. "Gord has also developed Global Carbon Trust (GCT), a unique carbon registry programme for the issuance of carbon credits. Going forward, GCT will be assisting the carbon neutrality for the host country emissions of 2022 tournament, thanks to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for providing all the support needed in this journey. GCT is the only programme in the Middle East that has been shortlisted among 14 greenhouse gas programmes worldwide by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Once approved by ICAO, GCT will also assist the carbon neutrality of the aviation sector by supplying carbon credits," explained Dr Alhorr.
“Gord’s R&D activities contribute to the sustainability drive by focusing on research and innovation in areas of energy efficiency, renewables, recycling and high-performance materials. Gord’s Global Sustainability Academy fosters capacity building programmes annually, targeting a wide range of professionals and practitioners in the public and private sectors through a range of specialised sustainability courses,” continued Dr Alhorr.
The founding chairman maintained that the organisation’s contribution in supporting the nation’s sustainability agenda comes through the development of systems and standards such as the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for green building certification. “Today, we are proud to honour a number of entities that have demonstrated outstanding implementation of GSAS on their projects, exceeding the sustainability requirements within Qatar and beyond,” he noted.
Recognising outstanding achievements in the field of sustainability and climate change, Gord awarded leading organisations within Mena region with the 'Award for Excellence in Climate Action'. Petroleum Development Oman and Bauer Nimr were conferred with the award for greenhouse gas reduction through treatment of produced water at crude oil processing facility through wetland treatment solution in Oman. The project contributes to greening of the dessert, providing potential water solutions and reducing significant greenhouse gas emissions.
The Public Works Authority, Ashghal, received the award for project on wastewater treatment which avoids the landfill methane emissions, by diverting sewage water to Doha North Plant and converting solids into dried palleted fertiliser in a sophisticated ultramodern pallet plant. The project site produces treated water that helps greening the area by plantation of 90,000 trees and developing a bird sanctuary.
Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation, Kahramaa, was awarded for delivering Qatar’s pioneering solar charging station for electric vehicles. This project has promising potential to transform the transportation sector towards low-carbon development. Al-Ta’adhod Trading & Construction Group received the Award of Excellence in recognition of green CSR initiatives.
A number of ‘Sustainability Awards' were also given to various leading green projects within Mena region. Hamad Port project was awarded for the exceptional implementation of GSAS among other sustainability initiatives, while the Ministry of Interior was recognised for considering sustainability as one of the key aspects in delivering several of its projects.
Another recipient was Qatar Rail for its outstanding 5-Stars rating of Msheireb Metro Station, managing to exceed Qatar Rail requirement of 4-Stars. Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy was awarded for extraordinary delivery of four stadiums with 5-Stars provisional certificates, exceeding FIFA’s requirement of 4-Stars. Several private organisations were also honoured with sustainability awards.
An exhibition, featuring several sustainability practices, is also taking place along with the two-day summit. "Gord has also developed Global Carbon Trust (GCT), a unique carbon registry programme for the issuance of carbon credits. Going forward, GCT will be assisting the carbon neutrality for the host country emissions of 2022 tournament, thanks to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for providing all the support needed in this journey. GCT is the only programme in the Middle East that has been shortlisted among 14 greenhouse gas programmes worldwide by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Once approved by ICAO, GCT will also assist the carbon neutrality of the aviation sector by supplying carbon credits," explained Dr Alhorr.
Dr Yousef Alhorr speaking at the event
Some of the award winners
“Gord’s R&D activities contribute to the sustainability drive by focusing on research and innovation in areas of energy efficiency, renewables, recycling and high-performance materials. Gord’s Global Sustainability Academy fosters capacity building programmes annually, targeting a wide range of professionals and practitioners in the public and private sectors through a range of specialised sustainability courses,” continued Dr Alhorr.
The founding chairman maintained that the organisation’s contribution in supporting the nation’s sustainability agenda comes through the development of systems and standards such as the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for green building certification. “Today, we are proud to honour a number of entities that have demonstrated outstanding implementation of GSAS on their projects, exceeding the sustainability requirements within Qatar and beyond,” he noted.
Recognising outstanding achievements in the field of sustainability and climate change, Gord awarded leading organisations within Mena region with the 'Award for Excellence in Climate Action'. Petroleum Development Oman and Bauer Nimr were conferred with the award for greenhouse gas reduction through treatment of produced water at crude oil processing facility through wetland treatment solution in Oman. The project contributes to greening of the dessert, providing potential water solutions and reducing significant greenhouse gas emissions.
The Public Works Authority, Ashghal, received the award for project on wastewater treatment which avoids the landfill methane emissions, by diverting sewage water to Doha North Plant and converting solids into dried palleted fertiliser in a sophisticated ultramodern pallet plant. The project site produces treated water that helps greening the area by plantation of 90,000 trees and developing a bird sanctuary.
Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation, Kahramaa, was awarded for delivering Qatar’s pioneering solar charging station for electric vehicles. This project has promising potential to transform the transportation sector towards low-carbon development. Al-Ta’adhod Trading & Construction Group received the Award of Excellence in recognition of green CSR initiatives.
A number of ‘Sustainability Awards' were also given to various leading green projects within Mena region. Hamad Port project was awarded for the exceptional implementation of GSAS among other sustainability initiatives, while the Ministry of Interior was recognised for considering sustainability as one of the key aspects in delivering several of its projects.
Another recipient was Qatar Rail for its outstanding 5-Stars rating of Msheireb Metro Station, managing to exceed Qatar Rail requirement of 4-Stars. Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy was awarded for extraordinary delivery of four stadiums with 5-Stars provisional certificates, exceeding FIFA’s requirement of 4-Stars. Several private organisations were also honoured with sustainability awards.
