Qatar aims to implement more sustainability practices: Minister

Qatar has highlighted several plans to be implemented in the near future to take sustainability practices to a higher level.
“We have plans for the perfect use and recycling of water, reduction of air pollution, recycling wastes, raising efficiency of energy use, increasing green areas and encouraging investments towards green economy,” said HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the Qatar Sustainable Summit organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Gulf Organisation for Research and Development, which opened yesterday at St Regis Doha. “Qatar has put many integrated plans and objectives for sustainable development and is working in the clean and renewable energy with plans to generate 200 megawatts of solar power during the next two years and that will be increased to 500 megawatts,” continued al-Subaie.
“Qatar has entrenched, through National Vision 2030, the achievement of balance among sustainable development components that include society development, economic development and environmental sustainability. It is a national responsibility in which all associations, both government and private and all categories of the society participate,” explained the Minister.
The Environment Minister pointed out that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in his address to the United Nations in September 2019 promised to work for the climate and the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar will work on encouraging and promoting the green investment activity and adopt low-carbon economic growth. This will help in achieving climate objectives of Paris Agreement, support sustainable development objectives and investments in the sustainable natural resources.
The Minister said that Qatar has not spared any effort in the application of green buildings standards in government buildings and is encouraging private sector to apply the practices.
“There are dozens of success stories in this field including big compounds and complete cities with highest degrees of green building standards with Qatar specifications and standards for them.
“All of that connects with evaluating the environmental effects of the projects and achievement of our obligations to the preservation of ecological sustainability. This contributes to the global efforts in the reduction of climate change impacts and reduces CO2 emissions,” continued the Minister.
“These efforts have culminated with stadiums of World Cup 2022, which have become global icons, as well as working on making this championship environment-friendly. It will be the first ‘Carbon Neutral’ championship by using solar power in stadiums and using energy and water-saving, cooling and lighting technology,” highlighted the Minister.
He maintained that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment is working with the strategic plan of Urban Planning Sector on improving standard and quality of life through urban development and perfect planning of modern cities with participation from significant sectors of the ministry.
The Minister stated that the Qatar Sustainability Summit is an efficient platform for participation of both governmental and private sectors, support partnership between them, experiences exchange and recognising the best global practices in sustainability fields.
“This will contribute in providing awareness to various categories of the society with sustainability norms at the core of daily life and preservation of Qatar’s resources and environment in a sustainable manner. It will also encourage on working together to meet the present needs without prejudice to the requirements of the next generations,” he added.