Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi and other dignitaries at the opening of the Sustainability Summit, yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
DOHA: Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi opened yesterday the 5th edition of Sustainability Summit-2018 to address the issues of climate change, preserving environment and combating desertification.
The two-day summit is being organised by the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) in cooperation with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
The Summit brings together leading experts in sustainability in Qatar, the region and worldwide, as well as representatives of international organisations, agencies and research institutions on climate change, preserving environment and combating desertification. “Our ongoing efforts to achieve sustainability and combat climate change embody stressing contemporary challenges that go beyond geographical boarders,” said the Minister in his inaugural speech.
He said that the modern-day human activity that centres around industry and energy, urban environment, and transportation in its various methods represent an alarming topic that demands research and discussion. “The challenges also require to implement appropriate frameworks and guiding strategies to ensuring the welfare of the people without compromising the rights of the future generations.”
The Minister added: “We in Qatar, as an active member in the international community, take such global initiatives responsibly and with full commitment. Our commitment to sustainability is inspired from Qatar National Vision 2030.”
The Minister also highlighted some of the numerous efforts initiated by the sustainability entrepreneurs in Qatar in the various sectors, such as that Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology has adopted a new chapter in the Qatar Construction Specification standards called the Green Construction Code, which includes measurable standards that guide energy, water, resources and infrastructure.
He said that the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy which has been working on planning and organising a carbon-neutral 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar in addition to constructing all of the tournament infrastructure in accordance with the FIFA approved GSAS sustainability assessment system, which conserves 40 percent more energy and water compared to average consumption rates.
He said that Lusail City, one of the largest modern multifunctional cities in Qatar, has adopted GSAS sustainability assessment system as a main licensing requirement for all public and private buildings in the city, which positions the city on the list of the sustainable cities around the world.
The Minister said that the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is developing its projects in schools, mosques, health centers and administrative buildings of government institutions according to GSAS standards.
“Qatar Rail is one of the most sustainable infrastructure projects, has set strict environmental requirements for the design, construction and operation of all its stations, achieving a four-star standard in accordance with GSAS standards, which will achieve an abundance of carbon emissions by at least 30 percent compared to normal rates,” said the Minister.
