The two-day Qatar Sustainability Summit (QSS), which was held this week at The St. Regis Doha focused on effective climate actions and  green initiatives.  

QSS co-organiser – Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) – focused on Qatar’s efforts in sustainability and climate change mitigation, decarbonisation opportunities, sustainable built environment, the region’s energy challenges in achieving low-carbon development, climate change mitigation in the context of global policy dimensions and advanced eco-solutions.

The opening of the summit witnessed a number of MOU signed between GORD and at least three organisations – the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), UNESCO and Doha Bank.

SC signed an agreement with GORD to work towards neutrality of carbon emissions towards the 2022 World Cup. GORD will provide services to SC in three main areas – standards development, carbon projects document development and facilitation for carbon credits issued by the Global Carbon Trust (GCT) – MENA’s first voluntary carbon offsetting platform.

UNESCO and GORD also signed letters of intent to work towards specific SDG set forth by the United Nations. To this end, the two entities will introduce joint initiatives that will enhance knowledge on climate change, impact of pollution and unsustainable consumption practices. The organisations will also team up to raise awareness and foster the role of educational institutions in responding to climate change challenges.

Doha Bank will partner with GORD and explore areas of mutual collaboration in sustainability and carbon neutrality.

Sustainability Awards

A number of Sustainability Awards were given to various leading green projects within the MENA region.

Hamad Port Project was awarded for the exceptional implementation of GSAS among other sustainability initiatives, while the Ministry of Interior was recognised for considering sustainability as one of the key aspects in delivering several of its projects, including the National Cyber Security Center and Civil Defence and Preventive Buildings in Al Wakra.

Another recipient of Sustainability Award was Qatar Rail for its outstanding five-star rating of Msheireb Metro Station, managing to exceed Qatar Rail requirement of four stars. SC was also awarded for extraordinary delivery of four stadiums with five-star provisional certificates, exceeding FIFA’s requirement of four stars.

Multiple private sectors companies were also recognised: the Energy City Qatar Headquarter project; Al Sayer Group in Kuwait; and Lulu Group International for demonstrating stewardship in environmental sustainability within the retail sector as well as for their planned initiatives in areas of GSAS operations, recycling and waste management.

For more information, visit sustainabilitysummit.qa.