Qatar implements several environmental policy tools in relation to its
efforts to combat climate change and to reach it’s set target of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. The implementation of
different strategies can be categorized as such:
Regulatory instruments:
Building Standards: Qatar has intensified efforts in addressing
climate change and ensuring sustainability through implementation
of green building standards with remarkable achievements in
cutting electricity, water consumption and reducing waste. Qatar
has been ranked as the country with the highest number of
buildings with green building standards in the MENA region.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change,
“Qatar has the highest number of buildings (1,406) with Global
Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), green building
standards.” The GSAS is said to be the first green building
certification system in the MENA region which clearly outstands
Qatar’s vision and efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions
and better the construction and operations of buildings in the
country.
Vehicle maintenance requirements: Qatar also has an annual vehicle
inspection which is mandatory for all cars and, in case of
noncompliance, leads to a financial penalty of QAR 1,500. The key
driver of the annual inspection includes the emission control and
improving air quality. The government of Qatar regulates mandatory
inspection to reduce the environmental impact of harmful
greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the overall carbon footprint
of the country’s transportation sector.
Diesel fuel standards: Qatar mandates a binding target while the
importation of buses and trucks in the country. The mandatory
regulatory was imposed in 2023 when the buses and trucks
imported to the country were legally obliged to meet EURO 5-
equivalent diesel fuel standards. This regulation reduces the harmful
carbon monoxide emission to 1.5%, combating climate change and
greenhouse gases.
Economic Instruments:
Subsidies and investments in clean energy: While Qatar does not
provide any direct financial support or tax reductions for the
purchase of energy efficient vehicles, the country has made major
strides in heavy investments in renewable energy, Qatar’s first
major solar energy plant in 2022, Located in Al Kharsaah is a key
example. The country announced a further US$ 630 million
investment in two other solar energy plants located in Mesaieed and
Ras Laffan, which are expected to be operational by the end of
2024. This forms part of a broader strategy to limit reliance on fossil
fuels and promote economic growth from environmental
degradation whilst pursuing clean energy solutions.
Information instruments:
Integration of climate education into curricula: Qatar recognizes the
importance of educating the general public about the need for a
change in the environment as a whole. Topics of sustainability and
climate change are embedded in schools to educate students from
an early age and to mend behaviors accordingly. Additionally,
universities in Qatar such as Qatar university, and Hamad bin
Khalifa university inculcate specialized courses as a necessity in
order to spread awareness regarding climate change. One such
course undertaken by almost every student at Qatar university is
called “Energy for Life.” Qatar’s collaboration with UNESCO has
enabled the implementation of global environmental education
standards in schools and universities. Moreover, the remarkable
efforts of the country do not stop here, instead, Qatar National
Research Fund is an organization that offers grants for sustainability
projects in educational institutions. With these efforts, Qatar aims to
cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals to
tackle sustainability issues in the future.
Other instruments:
Promotion of public transport: Qatar has invested heavily on the
development of public transportation systems to reduce significant
reliance on private vehicles, which, relatively emit much higher
levels of carbon emissions expected to impact the climate
negatively. Hence, the introduction of Doha metro is a key
contribution to combat climate change, this is explainable by the
electric powered rapid transit system used in the construction of the
metro, which basically means significantly reduced reliance on fossil
fuels which is a major source of harmful carbon emissions. Coupled
to it, the fact the Doha metro reduces the number of personal
vehicles on the road is a sustainable approach towards a greener
environment. Similarly, the Lusail tram, another transport initiative,
connects the city together and limits the need of private car use,
specifically in urban areas.
In conclusion, Qatar has made significant strides in combating climate
change through several environmental policies, each implemented to
support the nation’s commitment to the 2030 vision. Much recently, the
country has also taken part in with several global climate discussions with
the Qatar Environment and Energy Research institute placing emphasis on
developing innovative solutions for climate resilience, highlighting its
commitment to address the climate crisis both domestically and
internationally.
References
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/11/2021/qatar-has-highest-
number-of-gsas-certified-green-buildings
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/05/01/2023/euro-5-diesel-fuel-will-
apply-to-all-bus-truck-imports#:~:text=%E2%80%9CEURO
%205%20diesel%20fuel%20will,CO%20do%20not%20exceed%201.5%25.
https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/alerts/2023/may/10/qatars-plans-for-
renewable-energy#:~:text=Qatar%20announced%20a%20US%24630,by
%20the%20end%20of%202024.
