Qatar Foundation Spearheads Drive For Sustainability With Strategic Initiatives

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Fazeena Saleem | The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation has emerged as a pivotal force in Qatar's journey towards sustainability, leveraging a multifaceted approach encompassing education, research, and community development. At the forefront of this effort is the Qatar Foundation's commitment to advancing sustainable practices through targeted initiatives and projects.

Dr. Veronica Bermudez, Senior Research Director of the energy Center at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) in an interview with The Peninsula emphasised that key entities within Qatar Foundation, alongside other sustainable initiatives, play a pivotal role in spearheading Qatar's sustainability efforts.

QEERI is part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), operating under the Qatar Foundation. In a recent development, Qatar Foundation has established the Technical Executive Committee comprising senior experts from various entities within the foundation.

“Qatar Foundation has a holistic approach to sustainability. Integrating education, research, and community development contributes to advancing Qatar's sustainability goals and building a more sustainable future for the country,” said Dr. Bermudez.

“Qatar Foundation has set up a technical executive committee composed of a group of senior experts across the different entities in the foundation, that has set a target and associated timeline to achieve sustainable related targets at the Foundation level, that are aligned with country goals,” she said adding that the targets include reduction in energy consumption, increase of renewable energy adoption, and reduction of carbon footprint.

The committee reports on these targets to Qatar Foundations' CEO office and the board.

“Qatar Foundation has implemented several major initiatives to promote sustainability across various sectors spearheading a range of initiatives aimed at promoting environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and sustainable living practices across various sectors.

“These key initiatives underscore the foundation's dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship within the country,” said Dr. Bermudez.

“Education for Sustainable Development lies at the core of Qatar Foundation's sustainability agenda, with a focus on integrating sustainability principles into educational institutions and programmes. By educating students about environmental conservation, social responsibility, and sustainable practices, the foundation cultivates a generation of environmentally conscious individuals poised to drive sustainability efforts in Qatar,” she added.

In line with its commitment to renewable energy, Qatar Foundation has embarked on solar energy projects to promote clean energy sources and reduce carbon emissions; green building practices feature prominently in Qatar Foundation's development projects, emphasiszing sustainable and energy-efficient building designs that minimisze environmental impact and promote resource conservation; and sustainable transportation is another key focus area for Qatar Foundation, advocating for eco-friendly commuting options such as cycling, carpooling, and public transportation to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution on its campuses.

Qatar Foundation also actively engages in environmental awareness campaigns, workshops, and events to educate the community about sustainability issues, environmental conservation, and the significance of adopting eco-friendly practices in daily life.

“Collectively, these initiatives underscore Qatar Foundation's unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability goals in Qatar and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and stewardship. Through its multifaceted approach encompassing education, renewable energy, green building practices, sustainable transportation, and environmental awareness, the foundation paves the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society in Qatar,” said Dr. Bermudez.

She also emphasized that Qatar Foundation is an example of sustainability leadership in Qatar, with several entities at the forefront of driving the nation's environmental objectives forward. QEERI is a pioneer in cutting-edge research related to environmental sustainability and renewable energy technologies.“Through its vital work, QEERI plays a significant role in developing sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, such as water scarcity, waste management, air pollution, coastal degradation and climate change impacts. Amid these environmental challenges, Qatar grapples with one of the highest per capita carbon footprints globally, primarily attributed to its heavy reliance on natural gas for energy production and industrial activities,” said Dr. Bermudez.

She added,“R&D at QEERI solar energy projects, energy conservation programs, and emission reduction strategies are pivotal towards reducing Qatar's carbon footprint and align with global efforts to combat climate change.” Other prominent initiatives by Qatar Foundation are the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), which advocates for sustainable healthcare practices and policies; and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) which supports startups and companies focused on sustainable technologies, clean energy solutions, and environmental conservation efforts contributes significantly to driving sustainable economic growth in Qatar.“In addition to QEERI, WISH, and QSTP, Qatar Foundation's Education City campus hosts various research centers and institutions (like Earthna) dedicated to sustainability-related research areas. These centers focus on critical topics such as water security, urban development, environmental conservation, and renewable energy, generating valuable knowledge and innovative solutions to tackle Qatar's sustainability challenges effectively,” said Dr. Bermudez.

“Through their commitment to research, innovation, and the implementation of sustainability initiatives, these entities are instrumental in paving the way for a more sustainable future in Qatar, in alignment with the country's broader sustainability objectives and aspirations,” said Dr. Bermudez.

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