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Qatar has unveiled a new book documenting the country's environmental achievements and long-term climate ambitions, as officials reaffirm the State's commitment to sustainable development.The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched 'Environmental Sustainability in Qatar 2025' at a ceremony attended and sponsored by His Excellency Minister of Environment and Climate Change Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie. The publication aims to capture Qatar's national journey in protecting natural resources, reducing emissions and embedding sustainability across government and industry.Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs, Ahamed Mohammed al-Sada, said sustainability has become a national guiding principle shaping future policies and projects. Qatar, he noted, is working to balance economic growth with environmental protection while improving quality of life. Al-Sada described the new book as a reference point that highlights the commitment of both public and private institutions to applying best environmental practices. It also showcases the country's progress in expanding clean energy, improving air-quality monitoring, and backing innovative low-emission initiatives.**media[389146]**The launch was paired with a conference featuring sessions on sustainable transport, green real-estate development and the role of banks in supporting the green economy - a forum that officials said helped generate recommendations aligned with the country's sustainability goals.The publication comes as Qatar advances several national strategies, including its Third National Development Strategy and the ministry's 2024-2030 environmental strategy. These frameworks set out priorities for environmental governance, resource management and long-term climate planning.The book outlines key ministry programs, from emissions-reduction initiatives and biodiversity protection to enhanced environmental readiness and improved monitoring systems. It also documents national projects in water, energy and waste management, green infrastructure and sustainable mobility.The chapters highlight conservation efforts for marine and terrestrial wildlife, habitat restoration projects, species-monitoring programs and regular coastal clean-ups.**media[389147]**The publication also features community-led environmental initiatives and research projects that have deepened understanding of Qatar's ecosystems.Urban sustainability is another focal point, with case studies on expanding green spaces, upgrading public parks, adopting green-building standards and integrating public transport, electric vehicles and pedestrian and cycling networks into city planning.The book also details Qatar's participation in global climate agreements, its role in hosting major environmental conferences and its support for developing nations seeking climate finance and resilience assistance. The ministry said the publication reflects Qatar's dedication to documenting its environmental progress and advancing a development model that balances economic growth with the preservation of natural resources. The goal, it added, is to ensure long-term environmental security for future generations and contribute to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. 

As part of its ongoing efforts to protect terrestrial environments and strengthen community partnerships in preserving natural resources, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), in cooperation with Commercial Bank Qatar, launched the "Rawda Fencing Project" during a field event held this morning in Rawdat Egdaim, with the participation of members from both entities and a group of children from the "Children's Literature Center." The initiative aims to protect environmentally valuable wild Rawdas (meadows) from encroachments and overgrazing, and to rehabilitate the natural vegetation cover by fencing them and planting multiple local species. This enhances the ability of the rawdas to regain their vitality and supports biodiversity in the State of Qatar. These efforts fall within the ministry's national programs to combat desertification and implement the strategy for rehabilitating natural habitats. Participants and volunteers planted around 300 wild seedlings of local species, such as Qatari ghaf, samr, sidr, and salam. These plants are essential for soil protection and improving ecological balance in desert environments. The participation also aimed to encourage continued adoption of planting initiatives in homes and farms, and to strengthen a culture of connection to the local environment. Head of the Plant Wildlife Section at the Wildlife Development Department at MOECC, Adel Mohammed Al Yafei affirmed that the initiative represents an important practical step within the ministry's strategy to promote nature-based solutions. He added: "We appreciate the active partnership with Commercial Bank, which reflects the pivotal role of the private sector in supporting national environmental projects. The participation of children also adds an educational dimension that reinforces environmental belonging among future generations." For her part, Executive General Manager and Head of the Marketing Sector at Commercial Bank, Eman Al Nuaimi expressed the Bank's pride in this partnership, saying: "We are proud to cooperate with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in this distinguished initiative. We consider environmental protection a shared responsibility, and the participation of our employees and community children reflects our firm commitment to sustainability and to supporting efforts to preserve biodiversity in the country." The event concluded with honoring the participating children in appreciation of their role in the success of this environmental activity as a step aimed at raising environmental awareness in the community and encouraging active participation in national initiatives. The "Rawda Fencing Project" comes as part of a series of projects implemented by the ministry in partnership with government and private entities, in alignment with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in the area of environment and sustainable development, and in support of public participation in protecting natural resources and preserving terrestrial ecosystems. 

Global climate negotiations eked out an agreement that manages to nudge forward efforts to curb planet-warming emissions. But the final result — in avoiding explicit reference to fossil fuels — will leave big questions hanging over the efficacy of international climate politics.Two weeks of talks in the rainforest city of Belem, Brazil, served as a rebuttal of sorts to the idea that climate multilateralism is no longer viable. In the end, nearly 200 countries agreed to an eight-page document that calls for stronger efforts on national goals on emissions and boosting financial support to poor countries that need help defending against intensifying heat, storms and droughts.But the outcome of COP30 revealed deep fractures, particularly around which countries should pay for adaptation and how to get the world off fossil fuels. The Global Mutirao decision, a title using the Brazilian hosts' term for collective action, left out key provisions about winding down fossil fuel use that had been the benchmark for success by dozens of more ambitious countries.The two largest economies and historical emitters, the US and China, were conspicuous in their lack of impact. President Donald Trump declined to send representatives as the US exits from global climate accords; China focused more on its own interests in trade rather than stepping into a stronger leadership role.For some diplomats and experts, the outcome at best prevents a backslide on previous deals while doing little more to curb the oil, gas and coal that remain the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. “This COP was the manifestation of a new geopolitical reality,” said Linda Kalcher, executive director at Strategic perspectives.**media[386956]**Brazil, host of the UN summit on the edge of the Amazon, announced it would work on two initiatives to combat deforestation and transition away from fossil fuels that will take shape over the next year and could inform COP31 talks in Turkiye. To understand what happened and where it leaves the world, we’ve compiled six key takeaways.The fossil fuel gap is still too wideA proposed road map for the transition away from oil, gas and coal was a focal point of this year’s COP, with backing from roughly 80 countries, including Colombia, the UK, Germany and Kenya. So when the draft that Brazil released on Friday didn’t mention it, many delegates were disappointed and angry.Ultimately, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago pledged to create a road map focused on a just transition away from fossil fuels, which will continue over the next year. While that measure won robust applause Saturday, it’s not the full plan incorporated in formal COP processes that supporters wanted.“Staying silent on fossil fuels” isn’t sufficient, said Harjeet Singh, a founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation.Nearly 200 countries agreed in Dubai in 2023 to phase out fossil fuels. But that belies a deep, persistent divide on the issue. Some nations insisted that COP30 spur concrete action to help economies make the shift. For others, such as China and oil producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, any new obligation relating to the phaseout was a red line.Adaptation has jumped up the agendaIn climate policy, adaptation — learning to live with the effects of a warmer world — has long taken a back seat to emission-cutting work of mitigation. But adaptation was elevated at this year’s COP, a recognition that climate damage is happening now and the need to adapt is here. Worsening storms, floods, droughts and fires pose a huge burden, especially on developing countries and small island states.COP30 adopted a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035. That timeline is five years longer than what developing nations were pushing for, though. “In the Marshalls, our adaptation needs are overwhelming,” Kalani Kaneko, foreign minister of the Marshall Islands, said at the summit.The 2035 timeline is hard but achievable, according to experts. “Tripling the adaptation goal is possible,” climate finance specialists at the World Resources Institute wrote in an analysis earlier this month. “But every relevant source of finance will need to step up, and the system will need to work better as a whole.”Trade and critical minerals are climate issues, tooTrade is a flashpoint in global politics right now, and it created tension in Belém as well. China and other countries voiced displeasure with the European Union’s carbon levy. The measure is designed to prevent carbon “leakage” when heavy-emitting industries relocate offshore, but critics say it penalises other countries' exports to the bloc.Those frustrations made it into the final agreement, which includes a swipe at such unilateral trade actions. The document reaffirms that measures taken to combat climate change “should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade.” It also sets up a dialogue and a high-level event in 2028 to consider the role of trade policy.And for the first time at a COP, delegates included language on critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt in a draft negotiating text that highlighted the risks associated with their extraction and processing. Although it was left out of the final decision, the proposal underscored mounting concerns that the shift away from polluting fossil fuels could leave the world more reliant on minerals tied to environmental and social ills.Political freedom makes a COP comebackTens of thousands of people took to the streets of Belém on November 15 to call for a stronger response to climate change. The previous day, Indigenous activists blocked the entrance to the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue, staying put until they could have a dialogue with the Brazilian officials leading the summit. And before that, a small group of protesters forced their way into the Blue Zone after being denied access.Such scenes in democratic Brazil were a far cry from the past three COPs, held in countries where political expression is heavily restricted. While many activists said the summit did not adequately include or listen to them, civil society was a bigger part of these talks than it had been for years.With COP31 set to be held in Turkiye, protests may once again recede. The country has seen one of the sharpest pullbacks on freedom of expression over the past decade, according to Freedom House.Forests got money — but not make-or-break supportBrazil went into COP30 with a signature initiative: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a fund to support rainforest conservation worldwide. The country hoped for tens of billions in pledges, but the fund fell far short.Norway, Germany and Indonesia and others have committed more than $6bn so far. Norway’s pledge came with conditions that include raising more investment from others, meaning much work remains to be done.The Global Mutirão decision also recognises the critical role of forests in storing carbon and maintaining a liveable climate. However, a proposed road map to stop deforestation did not make it into the final text, with Corrêa do Lago instead propping up a second initiative akin to the fossil fuel one. It’s an omission that some found galling given the setting of the talks.“If we cannot agree on ending deforestation here in the Amazon, the question is, ‘then where?’” asked Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, the special representative for climate change from Panama.The US makes its absence feltThis was the first COP without American attendance since President Donald Trump returned to the White House — and that absence was felt, for both good and bad.Developed country negotiators, like those in the EU, missed the presence of the US to act as a driver of ambition, using its diplomatic heft during critical moments with countries like China and Saudi Arabia. There was little sign of others being willing to step up into the vacuum. Beijing submitted an underwhelming climate pledge ahead of the summit and kept a low profile at the talks. Europe remained on the defensive against accusations of not providing enough finance and unfair trade measures.Yet there was also relief that the US didn’t disrupt talks. In the weeks before COP30, the US played the role of spoiler in negotiations at the International Maritime Organisation, which had been working for years to adopt a new global charge on the shipping industry’s enormous emissions. 

A Group of 20 leaders' summit in South Africa adopted a declaration addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges Saturday after it was drafted without US input. The declaration, using language to which Washington has been opposed, "can't be renegotiated," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson told reporters, reflecting strains between Pretoria and the Trump administration over the event."We had the entire year of working towards this adoption and the past week has been quite intense," spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said. Ramaphosa, host of this weekend's gathering of Group of 20 leaders in Johannesburg, had earlier said there was "overwhelming consensus" for a summit declaration. But at the last minute Argentina, whose far-right President Javier Milei is a close ally of US President Donald Trump, quit the negotiations right before the envoys were about to adopt the draft text, South African officials said. "Argentina, although it cannot endorse the declaration ... remains fully committed to the spirit of cooperation that has defined the G20 since its conception," its foreign minister Pablo Quirno said at the summit.Ramaphosa noted this, but went ahead with it anyway. In explanation, Quirno said Argentina was concerned about how the document referred to geopolitical issues. Envoys from the G20 - which brings together the world's major economies - drew up a draft leaders' declaration on Friday without US involvement, four sources familiar with the matter said.The declaration used the kind of language long disliked by the US administration: stressing the seriousness of climate change and the need to better adapt to it, praising ambitious targets to boost renewable energy and noting the punishing levels of debt service suffered by poor countries.The mention of climate change was a snub to Trump, who doubts the scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activities. US officials had indicated they would oppose any reference to it in the declaration. In opening remarks to the summit, Ramaphosa said: "We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature and the impact of the first African G20 presidency".His bold tone was a striking contrast to his subdued decorum during his visit to the White House in May, in which he endured Trump repeating a false claim that there was a genocide of white farmers in South Africa, brushing aside Ramaphosa's efforts to correct his facts.Trump said US officials would not attend the summit because of allegations, widely discredited, that the host country's Black majority government persecutes its white minority. The summit came at a time of heightened tensions between world powers over Russia's war in Ukraine and fraught climate negotiations at the COP30 in Brazil. "While the G20 diversity sometimes presents challenges, it also underscores the importance of finding common ground," Japan Cabinet Public Affairs Secretary Maki Kobayashi told Reuters.

Pakistan's rooftop solar generation will for the first time exceed power demand on the country's electrical grid during daytime hours in some major industrial regions next year, a senior government official told Reuters.The outlook reflects a record boom in the country's solar panel installations in recent years that has delivered lower emissions and reduced power bills for some, but also disrupted the finances of debt-laden utilities due to a protracted decline in demand for grid-based electricity. "Pakistan will experience negative grid-linked demand during certain daytime hours because behind-the-meter solar is offsetting grid consumption completely," Aisha Moriani, secretary of Pakistan's climate change ministry told Reuters on the sidelines of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.While regions in Europe and Australia sometimes experience negative electricity prices due to solar oversupply and low demand, Pakistan would be among the first major emerging markets where rooftop generation could exceed grid-linked demand in major areas entirely for lengthy periods. "Negative demand" is likely in the northwestern city of Lahore, which has some of the country's highest solar penetration, followed by Faisalabad and Sialkot, where industrial areas are driving solar adoption, she said. Power cuts and tariff hikes have pushed Pakistan's 250mn people to accelerate solar adoption and made it the world's third-largest panel importer, with solar's share in generation exceeding its neighbour China.The south Asian nation will see more frequent negative-demand events, especially during bright summer afternoons, industrial holidays and moderate temperature days with high solar output, said Moriani, Pakistan's lead negotiator at COP30. "Pakistan's challenge is not whether renewable energy will grow, it is how fast the grid, regulation, and market design can evolve to keep pace," she said.The south Asian nation is planning to introduce new tariffs for large solar users, as well as changes to fee structures to ensure businesses with panels share equally in the costs of grid upkeep, she said. Pakistan's grid-linked power demand is expected to grow 3-4% this year, slower than historical averages.Next year, consumption is expected to rise more steeply but could be impacted more by higher solar use, Moriani said. The surge in solar use has also pushed Pakistan to renegotiate its LNG contracts with top supplier Qatar and cancel cargoes supplied by Italy's Eni, Moriani said.Pakistan is looking for lower prices, flexible delivery schedules and potentially fewer cargoes, she said. While there were no formal negotiations with Qatar at COP30, the event provided "diplomatic space for engagement with energy ministers and commercial representatives," she said. "The key aim is to align Pakistan's gas import strategy with fiscal space, demand outlook, and seasonal patterns.Pakistan seeks stability and affordability, not expansion of LNG dependency."

Qatar's pavilion at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), held in Belem, Brazil, has organised a panel discussion entitled "National Communications in Support of Climate Action."The discussion featured a number of international experts and specialists in climate reporting and transparency systems. The session aimed to highlight the vital role of national communications and climate reports in enhancing transparency and improving countries' readiness to develop effective policies for mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as aligning national efforts with the commitments of the Paris Agreement.The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change presented an overview of Qatar's efforts in updating its national reports and enhancing its readiness to comply with the requirements of the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement.The ministry emphasised the importance of exchanging experiences among countries to improve the quality of climate reports and support global climate action. During the session, participants discussed the importance of preparing national communications and periodic reports for States Parties, the role of accurate data in supporting decision-making, and highlighted the relationship between national communications, nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans.They also reviewed the challenges related to capacity building and strengthening transparency systems in developing countries, and international cooperation mechanisms for developing climate reporting capacities.

Russian bookseller Lyubov Belyatskaya sighed as she lamented the "climate of widespread anxiety" that has taken hold in her native Saint Petersburg amid the war in Ukraine. Once dubbed Russia's "window to Europe", the city has long been the country's cultural capital, a hotbed of independent thinking, artistic expression and underground dissent.But as authorities ratchet up repression, trying to stamp out any sign, no matter how small or subtle, of public opposition to the Kremlin or the Ukraine offensive, Belyatskaya said she senses the city retreating inwards. "We can no longer write the way we used to, joke about certain things," she told AFP. "Both our words and actions are severely restricted." The effect is being seen on the shelves of her bookshop — called "Vse Svobodny" or "Everyone is free" — in the city centre. "Every week we literally have to remove books for one reason or another," Belyatskaya said.Since launching its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has deployed a full legislative arsenal to silence anyone who criticises the campaign. Those who breach wartime censorship face decade-long prison sentences. Some authors — like late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — are completely banned. Others — those who are disliked by the Kremlin but not yet outlawed — have to be sold with a giant label naming them as "foreign agents".The Soviet-era term applies to the likes of Lyudmila Ulitskaya and Boris Akunin, prolific, now exiled, Russian writers. The crackdown in Saint Petersburg — President Vladimir Putin's hometown — has a particular resonance. The Tsarist-era capital has for decades been at the forefront of free thinking and dissent. Nobel Prize-winner Joseph Brodsky was forced to emigrate in 1972 after years of persecution for his non-conformist poetry. It was from Saint Petersburg that the protest rock anthem "Changes" — by Kino, fronted by Viktor Tsoi — emerged, encapsulating the pent-up frustration at the end of the Soviet Union. And since 2022, the city's rock legends Boris Grebenshchikov and Yuri Shevchuk have repeatedly railed against the offensive in Ukraine."We consider ourselves to be freer here, more liberated, less subordinate to fear, including the fear of repression," local rights activist Dinar Idrisov told AFP. "In reality, I don't think that's true." There are signs that the screws are being tightened. Most recently, locals have been shaken by the case of Diana Loginova, an 18-year-old street musician in jail for the last month over pop-up performances of anti-war songs.Known by her stage name Naoko, she has been sentenced to three consecutive short-term prison terms — for disrupting public order, discrediting the Russian army and organising a mass gathering. "To prosecute somebody for a song — seriously?" said Serafim, a 21-year-old music student who had come to court, alongside 20 other young people, to support Loginova at a recent hearing. Despite sympathy, some criticised her for drawing attention to the underground music scene. "They knew they were endangering everyone", after they posted the videos online, said one singer from the city who spoke on condition of anonymity."The authorities ignored us, but now I know that many people have stopped going out" to perform, they added. Pavel, a 17-year-old singer, was performing next to one of the city's canals. "There is now a crackdown on musicians," he told AFP, saying authorities have started placing bureaucratic obstacles to hinder performances. Platon Romanov, another bookseller who runs the independent Fahrenheit 451 store, said there was no point to trying to protest against the current situation. "You just need to understand what times we live in. Singing songs by banned musicians on the street. Why? For what purpose? It's pointless, and obvious they will come and shut it down," he told AFP. In such a climate, what are the prospects for a city that prided itself on its reputation as a counter-cultural hub and bastion of artistic freedom? "Many many people, many artists, poets and musicians have left," said Romanov. "Life has changed significantly."

The Global Carbon Council (GCC), recognised as the Global South’s first internationally accredited carbon market programme under ICAO’s Corsia scheme, and the State Secretariat for Climate Change of the Province of Misiones, Argentina, formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday during COP30 in Belem, Brazil.The agreement was signed by Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GCC, and Gervasio Malagrida, secretary, Department of Climate Change, Misiones, Argentina.The MoU establishes a framework for co-operation to promote the development and implementation of carbon market initiatives in Misiones Province.Key areas of collaboration are: Capacity-building workshops and training programmes on GCC standards, project registration, issuance processes, and methodology development; support for integrating GCC standards and methodologies into the domestic carbon market of Misiones; advisory support for finalising the provincial Carbon Policy Framework, aligned with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and other mutually agreed activities to strengthen climate action and carbon market infrastructure.Dr Alhorr said: “This MoU represents a significant step forward in advancing high-integrity carbon markets in the Global South. By partnering with Misiones, GCC aims to bring technical expertise, global best practices, and innovative methodologies to support sustainable development and climate action at the provincial level. Together, we will strengthen carbon market infrastructure, empower local stakeholders, and demonstrate how transparent and scalable carbon solutions can deliver measurable environmental and socio-economic benefits.”“This partnership with GCC provides Misiones with a unique opportunity to align our carbon policy and market initiatives with international standards. The technical guidance, capacity-building programs, and digital tools provided by GCC will enable us to implement high-quality carbon projects, strengthen institutional capabilities, and attract climate finance. We are confident that this collaboration will accelerate our climate action agenda, support sustainable energy and land-use solutions, and position Misiones as a leader in carbon market innovation within Argentina and the region,” added Malagrida.This collaboration reinforces both parties’ dedication to building robust carbon market infrastructure, supporting sustainable development, and fostering regional and international co-operation under the Paris Agreement.

As global efforts intensify to combat climate change, Qatar Foundation continues to lead the charge in embedding sustainability into the nation’s education, research, and community life. In an exclusive interview with *Gulf Times, Dr Nawal Al Sulaiti, Sustainability Manager at Qatar Foundation, discusses how QF is advancing environmental stewardship and shaping a sustainable future for Qatar, one that aligns seamlessly with the Qatar National Vision 2030. How does Qatar Foundation’s approach to sustainability align with the broader objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030? Dr Al Sulaiti: Qatar Foundation’s sustainability approach is deeply aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its pillars of environmental development and human development. QF integrates sustainability across its operations, education, and community life, not as a separate goal, but as a way of living and working. **media[380215]** Our initiatives focus on building environmental awareness, reducing carbon footprint, promoting research and innovation, and nurturing a culture of responsibility among the community. In this way, we contribute directly to the national goal of balancing economic growth with environmental preservation for future generations. Could you highlight some of the key sustainability achievements within Education City that have had a measurable impact? Dr Al Sulaiti: Education City serves as a living model of sustainable urban development. Some notable achievements include its green building standards, with many buildings across Education City being LEED-certified, demonstrating energy and water efficiency. In addition, sustainable mobility has been enhanced through the introduction of the Education City Tram, which significantly reduces carbon emissions by providing a clean, electric transportation alternative. This system, the first battery-operated tram charged by pantographs, has already reduced gas emissions by 10% and air pollution by 20%. It serves more than 100,000 passengers a month and has surpassed four million journeys since launch. **media[380216]** Education City has also implemented recycling and waste reduction programs, including waste segregation, composting of organic material, and resource reuse, leading to a measurable decrease in landfill waste. Furthermore, water and energy optimization initiatives, such as smart irrigation systems and renewable energy projects, have reduced consumption across facilities. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate tangible progress toward a greener campus and community. QF’s sustainability commitment has even earned recognition as a ‘Climate Conscious’ organisation by South Pole, and its carbon-neutral initiatives set a regional benchmark. What role does innovation play in QF’s efforts to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious community? Dr Al Sulaiti: Innovation is at the heart of QF’s sustainability strategy. Through our research institutes, universities, and community programs, we drive innovative solutions to environmental challenges, from water and energy management to sustainable food systems. **media[380217]** For example, partnerships with the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) have enabled the piloting of renewable technologies and advanced environmental monitoring systems across Education City. This includes deploying multiple air-quality stations to track gas levels and develop mitigation measures that help reduce CO₂ emissions, particularly in parking areas. Similarly, community-driven initiatives such as urban farming projects, including QF’s Park and Plant program, aim to densify and beautify Education City while engaging the community in greening efforts, demonstrating how creativity can translate into everyday sustainable practices. Beyond Education City, QF’s innovation hubs are achieving global impact. Projects such as the Solar Carbon Black Project, developed with Texas A&M University at Qatar and Fraunhofer IWS, are creating clean industrial processes that produce high-grade carbon without greenhouse gas emissions. The Distributed Solar Smart-Grid System, meanwhile, enables real-time monitoring and optimisation of solar energy generation across QF facilities, enhancing efficiency and resilience. How do initiatives like the micro farms contribute to fostering environmental awareness and community engagement? Dr Al Sulaiti: The micro farms are a practical example of sustainability in action. They connect students, staff, and the wider community with nature and local food systems. Through hands-on participation, individuals learn about composting, water conservation, and sustainable food production. These spaces foster environmental awareness, collaboration, and a sense of shared responsibility, inspiring behavioral change by showing that sustainability begins with small, everyday actions that collectively make a big difference. **media[380218]** Teaching students about planting and home composting in the micro farm greenhouse helps them develop practical skills that they can share with their families and friends. Moreover, the outdoor community garden, where families enjoy growing their own vegetables and donating a portion to families in need, nurtures social responsibility, empathy, and community collaboration. In what ways is QF working to instill sustainability values among students, researchers, and residents within Education City? Dr Al Sulaiti: QF integrates sustainability into the very fabric of learning and campus life. For students, environmental education is embedded into both curricula and extracurricular activities, nurturing future leaders who value responsible living. For researchers, QF supports projects addressing local and global sustainability challenges, from energy and water management to biodiversity conservation. For residents, initiatives such as green living workshops, recycling campaigns, and community gardens engage families and residents in sustainable practices. A key example is Green Island, Qatar’s first and only sustainability education hub. It encompasses all aspects of sustainability, from recycling and upcycling (in partnership with Ashghal), to solar energy (with Qatar Energy), water and energy conservation (with Kahramaa), and hydroponic farming (with Agrico). **media[380219]** This project serves as a national showcase of Qatar’s green efforts and a living example of environmental collaboration in action. It also acts as a catalyst for behavioral change by providing hands-on workshops that empower individuals to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. How does QF collaborate with partners or local organisations to advance sustainability across Qatar? Dr Al Sulaiti: Collaboration is central to our impact. QF works with government entities, academic institutions, private companies, and community organisations to share expertise and scale sustainability solutions. Partnerships with the Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Ehsan, Al Shafallah Center, and others help align national efforts toward sustainable living. Together, we promote best practices in green infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental education, amplifying QF’s impact beyond Education City. **media[380220]** QF also partners internationally through initiatives like the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, which co-developed Qatar’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035) and restored 40 hectares of mangroves across the country. Earthna’s 2025 Summit brought together over 15,000 participants from 150 countries, reinforcing Qatar’s leadership in sustainability for arid environments. Looking ahead, what are QF’s main priorities or upcoming projects aimed at reducing environmental impact or promoting green living? Dr Al Sulaiti: Looking forward, QF is focusing on expanding circular economy initiatives, enhancing renewable energy integration, and promoting sustainable food systems. Upcoming projects include increasing the use of solar energy across facilities, expanding green mobility through electric vehicles and improved cycling infrastructure, and developing new community engagement programs that encourage waste reduction and resource sharing. **media[380221]** Our flagship project, Green Island, exemplifies QF’s circular economy approach. Spanning over 8,000 square meters, it is Qatar’s first community-centric recycling hub and a national model for sustainability education. Built from 95 repurposed shipping containers and partially powered by 100kW of on-site solar energy, it includes six recycling streams, for paper, plastic, aluminum, e-waste, batteries, and organic waste, as well as vertical farms capable of producing 15 tons of vegetables annually for local consumption. It also features research labs, educational exhibits, and a 3D printing lab that uses recycled materials. Through entities like QEERI, QF continues to pioneer renewable energy solutions, including the Distributed Solar Smart-Grid System that enables real-time solar monitoring and optimisation, and collaborative projects such as the Solar Carbon Black Project, which converts natural gas into high-grade carbon without greenhouse gas emissions. **media[380222]** In parallel, Earthna, QF’s policy and advocacy platform for sustainability, is implementing Qatar’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035) and leading large-scale restoration of over 40 hectares of mangroves, reinforcing Qatar’s role as a leader in sustainability for hot and arid environments. Ultimately, QF’s future vision is to build a carbon-neutral, resource-efficient Education City that serves as a living laboratory for sustainable innovation, a model that aligns with Qatar’s ambition to build a sustainable, post-hydrocarbon future.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed that the consequences of climate change have already displaced millions of people worldwide.In a report released ahead of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, the UNHCR said that over the past decade, weather-related disasters have caused approximately 250 million internal displacements - equivalent to more than 67,000 displacements every day.The report explained that three-quarters of those displaced by conflict live in countries particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, citing floods in South Sudan and Brazil, record-breaking temperatures in Kenya and Pakistan, and water shortages in Chad and Ethiopia.The report added that climate change exacerbates and compounds the challenges faced by those already displaced, as well as their host communities, especially in fragile and conflict-affected situations.According to the UNHCR, only a quarter of the funds available for adapting to the consequences of climate change reach countries threatened by conflict, which often host large numbers of refugees. The annual UN climate conference, known as COP30, is often used as a platform for poorer countries to demand more funding from wealthier nations to adapt to increasingly harsh climate conditions."If we want stability, we must invest where people are most at risk. To prevent further displacement, climate financing needs to reach the communities already living on the edge", said Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Grandi urged participants at the climate conference to deliver on their promises, saying, "this COP must deliver real action, not empty promises." Some 50,000 participants from more than 190 countries are gathering in the Brazilian city of Belem, in the Amazon rainforest, for two weeks of talks beginning later today. They will discuss how to curb the climate crisis and its devastating effects.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Marine Protection Department organised a beach cleanup initiative at Umm Bab, as part of a series of environmental campaigns carried out throughout the year. The initiative seeks to encourage the participation of the local community, volunteer groups, and institutions in national efforts to reduce marine pollution and maintain the beauty of beaches. The ministry emphasised that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of all members of society.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tore into nations for their failure to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as Brazil hosted world leaders for a summit ahead of the COP30 climate conference in the rainforest city of Belem. Scientists have confirmed the world is set to cross the 1.5 C warming threshold around 2030, risking extreme warming with irreversible consequences. "Too many corporations are making record profits from climate devastation, with billions spent on lobbying, deceiving the public and obstructing progress," Guterres said in his speech. "Too many leaders remain captive to these entrenched interests." Countries are spending about $1tn each year in subsidising fossil fuels. Leaders have two clear options, Guterres said: "We can choose to lead — or be led to ruin." The COP30 conference marks three decades since global climate negotiations began. In that time, countries have curbed the projected climb in emissions somewhat, but not enough to prevent what scientists consider extreme global warming in the next few decades. The World Meteorological Organisation announced this year would likely be the second- or third-warmest on record, with the temperature average through August being 1.42 C above the preindustrial average, after record heat in 2023 and 2024. "The alarming streak of exceptional temperatures continues," WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said with the report's release. Outside of the conference venue - still under construction ahead of next week's summit start — a small group of indigenous people marched in a circle while singing and urging protection of the world's forests and their people. A flotilla bringing indigenous leaders and activists down rivers of the Amazon Basin to the conference was delayed and would not arrive until next week. During the leaders' summit Thursday and today, about 150 heads of state, subnational leaders and international organisations were due to deliver speeches that would be televised across the world. Missing from the lineup are the leaders of four of the world's five most-polluting economies — China, the United States, India and Russia — with only the leader of the European Union showing up. The US administration has opted to send no-one to the talks, unlike the others. Instead, top US officials were in Greece alongside fossil fuel giant Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) Thursday as it signed a new deal to explore offshore for natural gas. Some said the absence of the United States from COP30 may free countries to discuss action without any one player dominating the outcome. "Without the US present, we can actually see a real multilateral conversation happening," said Pedro Abramovay, vice president of programs at Open Society Foundations and a former justice minister under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula planned to hold bilateral meetings Thursday with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after meeting one-on-one on Wednesday with the Chinese vice premier and leaders from Finland and the European Union. "In a moment in which a lot of people are kind of claiming the death of multilateralism, I think there is a new space for a multilateralism that is not built in a top-down way from powerful countries towards poor countries," Abramovay said. Brazil is hoping the World Leaders Summit will deliver at least $10bn of its overall target of $125bn for its newly launched Tropical Forest Forever Facility, estimating that would be enough to start generating funds for conservation. China, Norway and Germany were expected to announce contributions in Belem, after Brazil offered the first investment and Indonesia matched that pledge. But the United Kingdom, which helped to frame the way the fund works, delivered an early disappointment on Wednesday, disclosing that it would be offering no cash.