Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate Change and Sustainability H E Ambassador Badr bin Omar Al Dafa
Doha: Panellists at the ongoing International Conference on Climate Change and Human Rights have emphasised Qatar’s strategies and policies towards protecting the environment.
Speaking during a panel session yesterday titled, “The efforts of the State of Qatar as a key player in the process of protecting the environment and its plans to move forward in cooperation with stakeholders,” Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate Change and Sustainability H E Ambassador Badr bin Omar Al Dafa said Qatar has shown its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability with policies “that are likely to mitigate effects climate change on our societies and our lifestyles and natural resources.”
Al Dafa also added that it would be difficult to reach some climate goals for some countries, especially the Middle East, due to the climate conditions compared to some parts of the world.
Al Dafa noted Qatar’s contribution to organisations, funds and states to tackle climate change. He mentioned Qatar’s membership of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and donation of more than $2bn for the SDGs and $100m to support small states and least-developed countries to cope with climate change and environmental challenges.
“For four years, Qatar donated $20m to the international laboratory network of UNDP in 60 developing countries to address climate change and most pressing climate change issues,” Al Dafa added.
The Special Envoy also mentioned the country’s commitment to sustainable energy production and the ongoing project to build the largest blue ammonia plant with a capacity of 1.9 tonnes. He noted the shift to sustainable practices in countries that rely on fossil fuel or coal.
According to him, the next transition phase should be through LNG and “Qatar will be the biggest exporter of a natural liquefied gas in the world,” he said.
“In October 2022, Qatar launched its first energy solar energy power plant that can produce 10% of its electricity and needs and will reduce significantly CO2 gas emissions. The Al Kharsaah area project will produce 800 megawatts, representing a significant step regarding Qatar’s carbon footprint, and align with Qatar’s vision for renewable energy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bodour Al Meer, Executive Director of Sustainability at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, also discussed the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and sustainability issue. She noted that over 2,000 tonnes of waste were recycled.
Assistant Director of the Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Mahmoud Abdulaziz Al Marwani, discussed factors that impact climate change in Qatar and how the country has adapted to increasing temperatures and ensuring food security.
He noted that Qatar has embarked on diversifying its economy, prioritising sectors like tourism, technology, and financial markets to shift reliance from oil and gas while ensuring the country’s budget and income isn’t impacted.
Al Marwani also said Qatar has put forward plans to ensure sustainable water production, protect biodiversity and ensure food security by partnering with stakeholders in the food industry.
Eng. Jawaher Mohammed Al Sulaiti from the Department of Waste Recycling and Treatment at the Ministry of Municipality discussed the country’s waste management system, which operates the largest in the Middle East and produces 50-megawatt electricity daily. She said Qatar produces 320 tonnes of waste daily, producing compost for sustainable energy.
