In his first visit to Qatar and the Gulf region as COP26 president-designate Alok Sharma welcomed Qatar’s commitment to tackling climate change and the leadership’s ambition for the country to be a leader in green finance and clean energy growth.
During a day-long visit Sunday, Sharma discussed climate action with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Turki al-Subaie ahead of the UK hosting major UN climate change talks, COP26, in Glasgow in November.
The global summit will aim to mobilise support for countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The visit comes as Qatar is updating its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – the actions that countries commit to as part of the UN COP process – to contain more ambitious targets, as it seeks to help limit global warming to 1.5C, the UK embassy in Doha said in a press statement.
Sharma and HE Sheikh Mohamed discussed climate finance, as the UK prepares to host a global Climate and Development Ministerial meeting on March 31.
The COP26 president also learnt about Qatar’s advances and ambitions on renewable energy and electric vehicles in a meeting with HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, the statement noted, adding that Qatar has set a target for public transport to be 100% electric by 2030 and to reach 4GW of solar by 2030.
Sharma also discussed the importance of involving young people in the planning and hosting of COP26 with Qatar Foundation’s Vice-Chairperson and CEO, HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, and the Arab Youth Climate Movement.
Sharma said: “Qatar holds enormous potential as a key player in the fight against climate change. I welcome His Highness the Amir’s commitment to tackling one of the most pressing crises of our time, and innovative efforts to drive forward a cleaner, greener future. I look forward to continued constructive conversations with Qatari leaders on the road to COP26 in Glasgow.”
British ambassador to Qatar Jon Wilks added: “We are delighted that Alok Sharma has chosen Qatar as his first country to visit in the Gulf region in his capacity as CPD. Today’s series of meetings has shown Qatar’s commitment to combating the effects of climate change and how the country is gearing up to make a meaningful contribution to COP26 through a revised NDC.
"Qatar’s work to reduce the carbon footprint of its Liquified Natural Gas supply chain is praiseworthy and the UK is pleased to see that Qatar is also investing heavily in renewables. We look forward to partnering with Qatar where we can to complement these and other climate-related initiatives as we move towards COP26 in November this year, Qatar’s staging of the World Cup in 2022 and beyond.”
SIDEBAR (Box):
COP26 summit to be held in Glasgow
The COP26 summit will take place from November 1-12 in Glasgow and bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.
All HMG travel is arranged in line with official guidance, and measures are put in place to ensure social distancing at all meetings and events.
Covid-19 tests for all members of the delegation are taken regularly in line with local protocols.
During a day-long visit Sunday, Sharma discussed climate action with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Turki al-Subaie ahead of the UK hosting major UN climate change talks, COP26, in Glasgow in November.
The global summit will aim to mobilise support for countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The visit comes as Qatar is updating its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – the actions that countries commit to as part of the UN COP process – to contain more ambitious targets, as it seeks to help limit global warming to 1.5C, the UK embassy in Doha said in a press statement.
Sharma and HE Sheikh Mohamed discussed climate finance, as the UK prepares to host a global Climate and Development Ministerial meeting on March 31.
The COP26 president also learnt about Qatar’s advances and ambitions on renewable energy and electric vehicles in a meeting with HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, the statement noted, adding that Qatar has set a target for public transport to be 100% electric by 2030 and to reach 4GW of solar by 2030.
Sharma also discussed the importance of involving young people in the planning and hosting of COP26 with Qatar Foundation’s Vice-Chairperson and CEO, HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, and the Arab Youth Climate Movement.
Sharma said: “Qatar holds enormous potential as a key player in the fight against climate change. I welcome His Highness the Amir’s commitment to tackling one of the most pressing crises of our time, and innovative efforts to drive forward a cleaner, greener future. I look forward to continued constructive conversations with Qatari leaders on the road to COP26 in Glasgow.”
British ambassador to Qatar Jon Wilks added: “We are delighted that Alok Sharma has chosen Qatar as his first country to visit in the Gulf region in his capacity as CPD. Today’s series of meetings has shown Qatar’s commitment to combating the effects of climate change and how the country is gearing up to make a meaningful contribution to COP26 through a revised NDC.
"Qatar’s work to reduce the carbon footprint of its Liquified Natural Gas supply chain is praiseworthy and the UK is pleased to see that Qatar is also investing heavily in renewables. We look forward to partnering with Qatar where we can to complement these and other climate-related initiatives as we move towards COP26 in November this year, Qatar’s staging of the World Cup in 2022 and beyond.”
SIDEBAR (Box):
COP26 summit to be held in Glasgow
The COP26 summit will take place from November 1-12 in Glasgow and bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.
All HMG travel is arranged in line with official guidance, and measures are put in place to ensure social distancing at all meetings and events.
Covid-19 tests for all members of the delegation are taken regularly in line with local protocols.
