FROM LEFT: Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, GCEO of Arab Emgineering; Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Kahramaa; Eng. Abdullah Al Subaie, Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Rail; and Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO of Masheireb Properties, during the ope
DOHA: To promote the culture of sustainability in Qatar, religious scholars (orators) will speak on sustainable lifestyle during Friday sermons over 750 mosques across the country under Qatar Sustainability Week 2018, said Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, Director, Qatar Green Business Council (QGBC).
Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for Environment Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, has officially launched Qatar Sustainability Week 2018, organised by QGBC, a member of Qatar Foundation, which will run until November 3. Addressing the opening ceremony yesterday, Al Sada pointed out that recent studies showed the great link between good urban planning, including building regulation and resource efficiency, including water and energy conservation, and clean air and productivity in the workplace.
Al Sada reviewed the main results of environmental resources management namely the optimal utilisation of the natural resources by the Qatari people from diverse and sustainable sources of water and energy. He declared that the main outcome of the environmental sustainability strategy is to preserve the environment for future generations.
Addressing 4th edition of the Qatar Green Building Conference titled ‘The Impact,’ Al Shamari said that large number of governmental and private organisations and cities are participating in the event. “For example, Al Wakra Municipality will participate in 40 activities to be held at schools, hospitals, public facilities,” said Al Shamari.
He said that QGBC, under Vocational Development and Sustainability Training Program, has trained over 4,500 trainees to help promote sustainability concept in Qatar. “Qatar Green Guideline has been developed as the first business directory for materials and services to protect the environment and ensure sustainability,” said Al Shamari.
He said that over 30,000 people are expected to participate in the activities of Sustainability Week 2018 as QGBC sent awareness message to over 8,000 concerned people.
He added that the conference is an excellent example of organising environmentally friendly activities, as more than 5,000 bottles of plastic water have been replaced with glass cups and reduced the use of publications and replaced with digital solutions, which contributed to the preservation of the environment and the expenses of the conference.
Al Shamari said that QGBC also launched the Green Life initiative, which is the first loyalty programme for sustainability and environment worldwide, adding that QGBC has been accredited as a research centre, by the Qatar National Research Fund. Qatar Sustainability Week 2018 is an initiative which is aimed to foster a culture of sustainability in Qatar by engaging people and organisations in a wide range of sustainability-oriented activities. “Sustainability is an important component of our activities and operations at Qatar Foundation, from constructing green buildings, to utilising energy-efficient systems, to promoting healthy living initiatives,” said Machaille Al Naimi, President of Community Development, QF.
The conference will feature a range of sessions covering three themes: ‘Future Sustainable Cities,’ ‘Green Business is Good Business’, and ‘Sustainability as a Lifestyle.’
Hundreds of fun and free sustainability-related events and initiatives will take place during the event, including engaging talks and lectures, a beach and desert clean-up, art exhibitions, exercise classes, and tours.
