MECC Delivering Impactful Initiatives To Address Climate Change

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) is implementing numerous environmental projects and initiatives for protecting the environment in Qatar, diversifying and preserving its resources, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

They include the Marine Environment Monitoring and Control Project, 5G Environmental Impact Study Initiative, Project to Enhance Terrestrial and Coastal Environmental Protection, Secondary Calibration Laboratory Project, Plant 10 Million Trees by 2030 Initiative, and Sea Turtle Protection Project, among many more.

Marine Environment Monitoring and Control Project to Enhance Understanding of the Abundance and Impact of Marine Plastic Pollution is a regional project that is being implemented in coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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The project aims to organise several activities, training courses, scholarships, and supply equipment to member states, for monitoring and observing the quantity of plastic and its effects on the marine environment through the NUTEC initiative.

It is the Agency's main initiative to address the global challenge of plastic pollution by using nuclear techniques to deal with pollution from plastic waste. It consists of two main components: monitoring and evaluation, and plastic recycling. 5G Environmental Impact Study Initiative in Qatar aims to study the health effects of 5G technology on the public, educate them about the potential risks, and promote safety and awareness about 5G technology in the field of wireless communications.

In addition to clarifying widespread misconceptions about the impact of 5G mobile phone waves on health, through scientific research, the focus was on updating the frequency distribution plan and planning for 5G technology in Qatar.

Initiatives for the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department aim at developing the National Network for Monitoring Ambient Air Quality.

These initiatives aim to develop a national plan for monitoring air quality by measuring the concentration of pollutants in the ambient air and identifying the causes and sources of these pollutants to address them and improve air quality. The project to enhance terrestrial and coastal environmental protection through comprehensive environmental monitoring programmes is a regional project with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The project aims to conduct several activities and training in the field of environmental monitoring (soil, air, and coastal areas) and to monitor environmental monitoring in all these countries through periodic meetings.

Secondary Calibration Laboratory Project aims to improve the measurement accuracy of all devices used in radiation measurements and monitoring by providing accurate calibration services that meet national and international standards, and to enhance the quality of products and services in a variety of sectors.

The importance of this project lies in its vital role in protecting the health and safety of individuals and the environment from potential risks resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation and nuclear materials.

The "Plant 10 Million Trees by 2030" initiative is being implemented in line with Qatar's commitment to international pledges under the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions, and given the special importance of trees to the ecosystem and their impact on human health and quality of life, and in support of its initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change and environmental sustainability efforts.

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle Conservation Project is a pioneering project for the protection of endangered marine species in the country. The project aims to conserve the endangered Hawksbill turtle on the northern coasts of Qatar as well as on the islands of Umm Tais, Rukn, Sharaouh, and Halul.

This includes relocating turtle nests to protect them from the effects of high tide, monitoring nest temperatures, installing devices on some turtles to track their habitats in Qatar and neighbouring countries, and taking DNA samples from turtles.

Under the project, strenuous efforts were made over the past years, resulting in the release of over 35,000 baby turtles back into the sea from Fuwairit Beach.

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