GAC Qatar has opened a new sustainably-built 27,000 m2 multi-user contract logistics facility and office building in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, in partnership with Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), adding to the company’s existing infrastructure and boosting customer services and offerings in local and international markets.
The new facility features up to 40,000 pallet positions, as well as four temperature and humidity-controlled chambers, to meet the requirements of a wide range of sectors, including food and beverages, fast-moving consumer goods, retail and telecommunications. It also features 500 m² of dedicated value-added services space and 2,000 m² of mezzanine storage to meet customers’ requirements and international quality standards.
Sustainability
GAC Qatar’s newest contract logistics facility and office building has been built with sustainable materials and methods, as well as the latest technology to ensure the company remains consistent with the wider GAC Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The facility has attained the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification and boasts several energy-saving features, such as environmentally friendly controlled thermal insulation, thermal transmittance technology, advanced building management systems and LED lighting with motion sensors. It is also partly powered by solar energy and uses 100% recycled water from in-built storage building air coolers.
Plans are also in the pipeline to improve the facility further with the installation of solar panels, a sanitary wastewater treatment plant for irrigation, and a plantation and irrigation system that requires low water consumption.
Strategic location
GAC Qatar’s newest facility is set to benefit from the Middle Eastern country’s advanced infrastructure, as well as its position within Qatar Free Zones. It is strategically located in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, next to Hamad International Airport and close to the Umm Al Houl Seaport Free Zone, placing the company in the ideal position to meet the growing demand for efficient and timely delivery of goods.
GAC Qatar General Manager Henrik Althen at the warehouse inauguration ceremony
“The purpose-built contract logistics facility is designed to maximise operational efficiencies and achieve higher productivity to provide quick turnaround time in a lean and agile manner to help customers achieve their supply chain goals,” says Adrian Peiris, Business Manager for Contract Logistics at GAC Qatar.
Henrik Althén, GAC Qatar’s General Manager, adds: “We are excited to reach this latest milestone in our expansion. The opening of the new facility and office building signifies our continued commitment to delivering end-to-end shipping and logistics support from a strategic location for our customers locally, regionally and internationally.”
GAC Qatar’s operations are ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 accredited, and its latest site will ensure the company continues to deliver world-class services built on quality, safety and sustainability.
Sustainability
GAC Qatar’s newest contract logistics facility and office building has been built with sustainable materials and methods, as well as the latest technology to ensure the company remains consistent with the wider GAC Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The facility has attained the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification and boasts several energy-saving features, such as environmentally friendly controlled thermal insulation, thermal transmittance technology, advanced building management systems and LED lighting with motion sensors. It is also partly powered by solar energy and uses 100% recycled water from in-built storage building air coolers.
Plans are also in the pipeline to improve the facility further with the installation of solar panels, a sanitary wastewater treatment plant for irrigation, and a plantation and irrigation system that requires low water consumption.
Qatar’s World Cup Stadium 974 made history even before its first match by setting new standards in the building and usage of sustainable venues.
This year’s FIFA’s tournament will have the most compact footprint in history thanks to the first fully demountable stadium in its history and all stadiums within a 50-kilometre radius of central Doha.
According to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Greenhouse Gas Accounting Report, total greenhouse gas emissions from the preparation, FIFA World Cup and post tournament phases, between April 2011 and June 2023, are estimated to be 3.631 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
However, organisers of the event aim to offset all tournament-related greenhouse gas emissions, while furthering low-carbon solutions in the country. Several key initiatives, including renewable energy solutions, reduced water consumption at operational stadiums and sustainable landscaping have been undertaken.
Stadium 974
Qatar’s Stadium 974 is a big win for innovation and sustainability. As the first-ever FIFA-compliant stadium that can be fully dismantled and re-purposed post-event, 974 set new standards in the building and usage of sustainable venues.
The stadium was developed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy which is responsible for overseeing all the construction and infrastructure projects for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Constructed entirely from shipping containers and modular steel, it demonstrates Qatar’s commitment to cost-effective sustainability and bold design.
Located near Doha’s port and opposite the West Bay shoreline, the stadium is a nod to the city’s maritime history. It was built on a former industrial land that belonged to Qatar Petroleum. The planning process for the stadium was carried out in 2015 where an assessment of the location was done.
The team also had to carry out removal works of all previous utilities before breaking ground on the project. The project involved extensive decontamination for the soil and water before construction commenced which was carried out based on the regulations and the permits mandated by the Ministry of Environment in Qatar.
Not only is 974 the international dialling code for Qatar, but it is also the exact number of shipping containers used in its construction. The stadium needed 30,000 tonnes of steel to erect the entire structure.
The shipping containers were used due to their low carbon impact, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility, and were newly fabricated by the world’s largest container manufacturer in China – China International Marine Containers.
The idea was developed with Fenwick Iribarren Architects, the lead designer of the stadium. The stadium was managed by TiME Qatar with Hamad Bin Khaled (HBK) Contracting Company as the main project contractor along with HBK Engineering, a subsidiary of HBK Contracting, as the MEP contractor. Louis Berger International was the construction supervision consultant, while Prime Qatar served as the project management consultant.
Other stakeholders who also worked on the stadium included Hilson Moran, who delivered engineering services together with sustainability consultancy acoustics, vertical transportation, and security consultancy.
Complete fit-out works were carried out by Medtel WN, and BIMTEC was assigned to manage and provide solutions to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) and co-ordination-related scope of the project.
The stadium’s bowl seating avoids the need for air conditioning as it is designed for natural ventilation. This is in line with the project’s sustainability goals. Situated in the portside area and in sight of Doha’s coastal cityscape, fans at Stadium 974 feel the cool breeze as it rolls in from the Arabian Gulf.
Efficiency methods ensured that the football ground cut its water use by 40 per cent compared to a conventional stadium development.
GSAS Certification
Engineer Ghanim Al Kuwari, deputy director general, technical services, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, says: “Sustainability has been the primary focal point with Stadium 974. To receive top GSAS certification marks from GORD is further confirmation of our efforts to establish new, sustainable concepts of stadium design and construction that we hope will be adopted worldwide. It is a proud example of the legacy we intend to leave from Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup.”
Under the rating system administered by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), Stadium 974 recently received a five-star GSAS design and build classification and category A* construction management grading.
Sustainability communications manager, Jassim Al-Jaidah, says: “We thank all our contractors and stakeholders, including the stadium management team, for helping us to make Stadium 974 become a proud symbol of our sustainability objectives. This award is an important recognition of our goals to stage a carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup.”
The World Cup is expected to leave a sustainable legacy, backed by a strong intent to deliver a carbon neutral tournament.
Repurposing the superstructure
Upon completion of the tournament, the containers and superstructure will be repurposed. A waterfront development boasting fabulous facilities for the local community will spring to life, as well as a dynamic hub for business.
This new concept in venue development ensures that while Stadium 974’s physical presence may be temporary, its legacy will be everlasting.
Ths stadium is set to be dismantled after the last match scheduled in the stadium takes place on Monday, December 5. The dismantled stadium could be shipped to countries that need infrastructure, according to several reports.
Several Gulf states are experimenting with blue ammonia and carbon capture technology, which has energy-related potential but a mixed impact on the environment.
Qatar’s state-owned energy company announced a new blue ammonia energy project Thursday.
QatarEnergy affiliates agreed to develop the roughly $1 billion Ammonia-7 project. The facility will be able to capture and sequester 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, supply 35 megawatts of renewable electricity via solar panels, and market the product as blue ammonia, the official Qatar News Agency reported.
What is blue ammonia? Blue ammonia is derived from hydrocarbons such as crude oil. The key criteria is that the carbon dioxide emitted during the ammonia formation is captured and stored, as opposed to being released into the atmosphere, according to the Texas-based tech company KBR.
Why it matters: Blue ammonia has the potential to be less harmful to the environment due to the carbon capture. However, the process itself typically only removes 90% of the carbon dioxide, according to the International Energy Agency. Blue ammonia also requires a relatively large amount of carbon to produce, according to the US Department of Energy.
Know more: The QatarEnergy announcement follows other oil and gas-rich Gulf countries experimenting with blue ammonia and related energy projects. In June, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) sent a type of blue ammonia to Japan. The following July, ADNOC signed a partnership with France’s TotalEnergies to work on carbon capture.
This week, the Saudi electric company Alfanar signed a deal to develop a green ammonia facility in Egypt. Green ammonia is produced using renewable energy.
The Omani startup 44.01 also launched a blue ammonia project in March.
Doha: With proper implementation of a circular economy (CE), Qatar is set to generate an additional $17bn by 2030, corresponding to 10 percent of its GDP, as well as create an estimated 9,000-19,000 jobs by 2030, increase disposable income, and attract more greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI), according to the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar). In its policy paper on Circular Economy published recently, IPA Qatar highlighted that as the world gravitates towards sustainable investing, a circular model helps countries like Qatar achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship.
Investors worldwide are becoming sustainability-conscious, which has partially motivated many countries to implement circular strategies to attract greenfield FDI and create quality jobs for their citizens. Therefore, targeting sustainability-conscious investors is crucial for achieving economic, social, and environmental objectives set by the Qatar National Vision 2030, said IPA Qatar.
In the study, IPA Qatar noted that the current pandemic has expedited the shift towards CE by bringing to the fore many of the inherent risks and dysfunctionalities of the linear economy. In June 2020, more than 50 global leaders and chief executives endorsed the circular model as a viable solution to build back better and achieve green and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, since the beginning of the pandemic, assets in public equity funds with a CE focus have increased from $300m to over $2bn, a sixfold jump.
In Qatar, the building blocks of CE are already in place, said IPA Qatar in the study. It added that Qatar’s efforts to transition to a more sustainable model stem from the country’s National Vision 2030 and include climate change strategy, green cities, and national targets for resource efficiency and waste management. Taken together, these place Qatar in an excellent position to further advance its work on resource efficiency and the CE.
“Furthermore, ongoing sustainability projects with guidance from QNV2030, such as hosting the first carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup ever in 2022, are clear manifestations of the government’s commitment to maintaining harmony between economic development and environmental sustainability. The national climate change strategy also aims to reduce the carbon intensity of the liquefied natural gas facilities by 25 percent the same year. And as the world’s largest liquefied natural gas producer, Qatar also plans to expand LNG production to 126 million tonnes annually by the end of 2027. LNG production helps countries shift from other high-polluting fuels like coal and oil to meet carbon emission targets,” IPA Qatar added.
Circular economy is a trillion-dollar opportunity with great potential for job creation, economic growth, and innovation. Globally, CE can generate $4.5 trillion of additional economic output by 2030 and as much as $25 trillion by 2050. At a regional level, the GCC can save up to $138bn by 2030 with the circular model, equivalent to almost 1 percent of the region’s total GDP between 2020 and 2030.
“The most circular economies stand to reap the most benefits by boosting their competitiveness, resilience, and innovative capabilities. CE also promotes economic diversification by facilitating private sector expansion by developing circular sectors and activities such as logistics, service economy, manufacturing, and advanced recycling. Furthermore, as sustainability becomes a high priority worldwide and businesses face an increasing ESG scrutiny, countries that promote circular policies through economic and regulatory instruments are 10-40 percent more likely to attract greenfield FDI. Thus, Qatar will be well-positioned to capture these economic prizes by moving towards circularity,” said IPA Qatar.
Sustainable development is becoming a determining factor of IPAs sector promotion and FDI targeting strategies worldwide. IPA Qatar, which was established to play a vital role in accelerating the economic development of Qatar, reiterated that it pursues targeted, sector-specific investment promotion strategies with a firm focus on sustainable investing, while showcasing opportunities in promising sectors here that could catalyse the sustainable transition process.
Education City Stadium is a leading example in green buildings and the first FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue to receive the five-star GSAS certification from GORD.
Activism breeds in a fertile land when built on grounds willing and accepting of change; and change is often associated with youth – their curiosity and drive for leadership.
It took only 45 young voices to jet-start one policy in motion: banning single-use plastic bags in Qatar.
This call reverberated through the hallways of Qatar Academy Doha (QAD), as the students joined the global advocacy campaigns in taking sustainable action towards curbing environmental threats and spreading awareness.
Through the Activists in Action programme which was launched in 2020, amassing the support of 130 students representing the student leadership at QAD, they covered the walls and floors of the school with plastic bags and bottles collected by students, parents and teachers to shed light on the amount of plastic waste consumed by society.
“I decided to join this initiative in grade four when we were assigned to write a speech about global warming. During this period I researched about the many causes that affect our environment,” Khalid Al Shaibei, currently a grade eight student at QAD told Doha News.
Upon realising the importance of climate change and sustainability promotion, Khalid said: “I realised I want to commit to securing a better future for myself and future generations and that is when I decided to join the ban on single use plastic initiative.”
“I decided to join Activists in Action and become a leader in [promoting] sustainability.”
WATCH: Qatar’s amir responds to young climate activists urging ban on single-use plastic
Wanting to lead a better future for his generation, Khalid believes in the key role of sustainability activism and power in spreading the message beyond the bounds of his school.
“Our effect on the community has already started to show with the recent ministerial order that, starting from 15 November, single use plastic bags will be banned from the retail industry in Qatar,” Khalid said.
Young hope for a greener Qatar
In late June, the Ministry of Municipality announced the executive decision to ban the use of single-use plastic bags as of 15 November in all institutions, companies and shopping centres.
When Khalid speaks of hope, he wishes for a greener tomorrow for Qatar, believing that his hometown is on the right path to achieving a more sustainable future. “I hope to see that continuing on further than just single-use plastic cars but a greener environment overall for a safer and greener future for Qatar.”
The students involved had pledged to collect as many names as 10,000 in a petition to be presented before the government, in a bid to urge the country to join the global effort to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Ghalia Al Darwish, currently in grade five at QAD, has been a part of the Activists in Action team since second grade, where she first became aware of her responsibility towards “saving” the environment.
“The group Activist in Action gave me the opportunity to fulfil my duty and purpose to work towards making Qatar clean and ban single-use bags and spread awareness,” Ghalia told Doha News.
Sustainability activism has been cultivated for many students at QAD at a young age with students like Ghalia carrying on the message even outside her school.
Starting at such an early stage in life, Ghalia participated in beach cleaning as well as in a podcast episode to further spread green awareness.
Harbouring the leader within her, Ghalia went to multiple locations such as Msheireb, Qatar Foundation, and other campaigns to reach a wider audience during environment day and “even during the FIFA football games we were around the football club explaining our cause and why everyone should join and take action,” she told Doha News.
Speaking about the recent governmental developments on banning single-use plastic bags, Ghalia said: “It wasn’t easy to get everyone’s attention but the ones who did were really helpful and understanding. I’d like to thank everyone who signed the petition and made this happen. It felt special, empowering and a great achievement to cause the change and for our voices to be heard.”
Government recognition
Last year, the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a personal letter to the student-led group expressing his appreciation for the young activists in uniting their voices for concerns on environmental issues.
“Dear Qatar Academy-Doha students, I followed the campaign that you launched during the past year aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastic bags. I would like to express to you my thanks and appreciation for this important initiative, wishing you all the success,” the amir’s letter read.
“This encourages us to carry on,” Ghalia said.
Going plastic-free will allow our planet a chance to breathe
The QAD-nurtured Activist in Action cemented the notion of change in the students involved, with Ghalia transforming her outlook “on day to day activities like transportation and shopping consumption.”
Another such activist is 11-year-old Sara Al Dosari who was inspired by her older sister, one of the founding members of Activist in Action.
Detailing other reasons behind wanting to join the team, Sara told Doha News that she wanted to push for a cleaner environment where safety becomes inevitable “even if people come [to Qatar] from outside the country, we want to always make them feel safe.”
Carrying on her call for a ban on single-use plastic bags, Sara said “it’s a really important message.”
“No matter how old you are, you still need to know everything about keeping your environment clean”.
Qatar Foundation’s green efforts
Qatar Foundation leads other such sustainability efforts such as hosting one of Qatar’s eco-school, QAD, and the EcoCampus programme through the Earthna member organisation.
Launched in March 2022, Qatar Foundation-born green project Earthna is a non-profit policy research and advocacy centre, focusing on informing and influencing national and global sustainability policy. Amongst other initiatives, Eco-schools – the largest global sustainable schools programme as per the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) – now operate as legacy programmes within the green organisation.
“The creation of Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future is at the heart of this vision to both focus and address sustainability priorities in Qatar, and to be part of a collaborative effort to enhance climate action and innovation in Qatar,” Nihal Mohamed Al Saleh, programme manager at Earthna told Doha News.
Earthna’s predecessor, the Qatar Green Building Council, was one such entity to adopt environmental and building accreditation in Qatar early on, creating various initiatives and accreditation schemes for the eco schools as well as the hospitality sector.
“As a proud Eco-Schools member, we aim to cultivate a sustainable mindset in all our students,” Elizabeth Kennedy, Primary School Assistant Principal at QAD, told Doha News.
Eco-schools and Qatar Foundation Pre-University have “inspired and supported our school community to nurture youth activism,” she added.
Teachers at QAD have cultivated the culture of sustainability into the school’s curriculum and “class conversations as a key component of [the] school practices and values.”
“The Eco-school programme provides our children with sustainability education through a unique ‘real-world’ experience, which makes it very valuable. When they understand the results of environmental policies, at a school level, and at that young age, they will grow up to be effective members of a community that protects the environment,” Dr Soud Al Thani, Director of Climate Change and Carbon Management at Qatar Foundation told Doha News.
“It is my hope that the programme circulates as many schools in Qatar as possible so that engrains in younger generations the values of sustainability.”
Another exemplary green effort at Qatar Foundation was acknowledged with the Qatar Foundation headquarters, the 2015 building at Education City, being awarded the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations Certificate from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) for proving that a building could also operate in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Pointing out Qatar Foundation’s ongoing green efforts, Dr Soud Al Thani said: “We have an ongoing carbon accounting programme that details greenhouse gas emissions from various activities that take place in Education City.
The information collected is regularly analysed to examine opportunities of optimisation in areas of transportation, facilities management or any other operation. We continually strive to enhance the programme and elevate our environmental sustainability goals.”
The Education City Stadium is also a leading example in green buildings. It was the first FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue to receive the five-star GSAS certification from the GORD.
On a national level, Qatar Foundation coordinates closely with their relevant public and private sector partners.
“With the aid of QF institutions like Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute and Earthna, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change leads efforts formulating policies that collectively drive Qatar towards the larger sustainability goals,” Dr Soud Al Thani said.
“On the governance side of sustainability, aligning our organisational strategy to embed sustainability across everything we do, from our tenders to our procurement methods, to the content of our programmes to our logistics and synergies across the organisation, there is much to be celebrated and a lot that we are improving on daily,” Al Saleh noted.
Hand in hand, the different programmes at Qatar Foundation offer a variation in the green palette, each stemming from different angles towards one goal: fostering a greener Qatar.
DOHA, QATAR – Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), the subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, announced its partnership with International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become the first ground handler globally to join the new expansion of the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA) for ground service providers.
The IEnvA programme for ground service provides a framework for achieving environmental sustainability across all ground operations. Taking advantage of the knowledge and experience garnered from the airline programme, ground service providers can rely on its definitive guidance to reduce their impact on the environment, and improving health and safety for both employees and the community, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “I am proud to lead the efforts to create a sustainable aviation industry. Environmental sustainability awareness across the entire organisation is critical to the success of Qatar Airways Group. Through IEnvA, Qatar Aviation Services will be able to demonstrate the value of environmental compliance and ensure sustainability in its operations.”
IATA’s Director General, Mr. Willie Walsh, said: “We’re delighted to count Qatar Aviation Services as the first ground handler to join the newly extended IATA’s IEnvA programme. Sustainability is a critical challenge for our industry. By taking proactive steps to measure their impacts and address them throughout their operations with IEnvA, QAS and Qatar Airways Group will back their sustainability achievements with the most comprehensive global standard environmental certification available in the industry”.
Qatar Aviation Services, led by the Senior Vice President Mr. Mehmet Murat Nursel, is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its operations, playing an instrumental role in helping Hamad International Airport gain its world-class standing as environmental leader amongst airports globally. Through its participation, it aims to meet and exceed the highest environmental standards while preparing for future expansion strategies.
The IEnvA programme is an Environmental Management System initially offered to airlines, which demonstrates equivalency to the ISO 14001: 2015 environmental management systems standard. It provides a structured approach to managing the environment, as well as reporting and mitigating environmental impacts. As a result, organisations are able to more formally incorporate sustainability and environmental compliance strategies into their operations.
Qatar Airways, under the Qatar Airways Group, first achieved the highest level of IEnvA accreditation in 2017, becoming the first airline in the Middle East to do so. The airline has since played a key role in contributing to the successful development of the IEnvA programme. The programme covers all aspects of Qatar Airways global operations, including flight and ground operations and corporate activities.
World Cup Stadiums Cooling Technology Engineer, Dr. Saud Abdel Ghani, has said that fans will enjoy a wonderful view of the World Cup matches inside the eight stadiums, which were built with a unique international design that contains all the details of the Gulf heritage and popular legacies in the region, which makes the tournament exceptional and distinct.
Abdel Ghani said that World Cup fans will witness the best version of the tournament that adheres to the health aspects and provides a great atmosphere, noting that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be the first carbon-neutral tournament.
He added that they also introduced the evaporative cooled-grass technique. The technique consists of straw, plastic, and carton with water added to the components, which end with releasing cooled air.
He pointed out that their calculations included the amount of cooling released from the grass surface to reduce the cooling of the entire stadium. Dr. Abdel Ghani explained that the grass absorbs water during which transpiration, as well as evaporation, occurs, and the temperature of the grass in summer and winter reaches 29-30 degrees, regardless of the outside temperature, to reduce the cost of cooling.
He pointed out that the amount of energy used in the cooling process is derived from the main grid, which receives energy coming from the Al Kharsaah Solar Energy Project.
Abdel Ghani said that they do not want to prove to the world that Qatar’s projects are sustainable, given that sustainability is an integral part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, so when the stadiums were designed, they did not put solar panels in every stadium, because the stadium is considered an architectural masterpiece and that is why should not put any other object next to it that might change relatively from the stadium’s look and shape.
Dr. Saud pointed out the difference in the mechanism of cooling technology works according to the design, shape, and function of each stadium, for the work team to then create customised cooling solutions for each stadium separately, covering all spaces within the World Cup facilities that will witness the tournament’s competitions, ensuring that fans and players enjoy an ideal atmosphere during the upcoming event.
He added that cooling control in each stadium is different from the other, according to the number of fans in the stadium and the temperature outside it at the specified hour, and as it is known, each stadium is different from the other.
If we look at Al Bayt Stadium, we find it large with greater height, and its handling of the air differs compared to the Al Janoub Stadium, which contained an aerodynamic design and has a smoother design.
Each stadium also differs in terms of its air surroundings, so we dealt with these multiple challenges with computer simulation experiences, as well as the extension of the air tunnel and how it works through similar experiments conducted at Qatar University.
Dr. Saud said that the FIFA medical team measures the temperature inside the field, and they decide to stop the match to allow the players to drink water, and they move around the field and measure the temperature throughout the 60 minutes before the match and 90 minutes of the game.
In South Africa and China, they were demanding to stop the match, but with regard to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the matter is completely different, as we made it 100 percent easy for FIFA and those in charge as we gathered all these efforts in the control room.
FIFA and officials will now keep track of the temperature over the second and minute, and we’ve saved them moving around the field, and they won’t need gauges.
Dr. Saud considered that this new technology may not have been addressed before and was not used in other stadiums.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar
From extensive initiatives to help marine life, to collective community beach clean-ups along its shores: here’s how Qatar has geared up its efforts to help save the ocean.
Spanning a 71% surface area of planet earth, the oceans are home to nearly a million species, making them an important source of food and income for over 800 million people worldwide.
The ocean also regulates everything around us, from global weather patterns to food systems, making it our most valuable resource on the planet.
Despite its importance, humans have adopted practices throughout the years that threaten its resources, including pollution, overfishing and man-driven impact on climate change. Its health, as well as the well-being of everyone who relies on it, is on the verge of collapse.
For that reason, change is as essential as ever.
Every year, the world gathers to celebrate the United Nations World Oceans Day on 8 June to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean to the ecosystem and ways to help reverse the negative impact humans have inflicted upon it.
This year’s theme is celebrated under the theme Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean, calling on every country to adopt new practices to sustain the ocean’s life for future generations.
“As the past years have shown us, we need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life,” the UN stated on its website.
But one question remains every year: what efforts have actually been made to save the ocean?
According to EcoMena, Qatar produces more than 2.5 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. The country also has one of the highest per capita waste generation rates worldwide of up to 1.8 kg per day, on which only 8% is recycled.
To commemorate the day, here are four efforts Qatar and its community have taken to fix the figures.
Beach clean-ups
Beach cleanups have become an essential task in achieving Qatar’s commitment to its National Vision 2030 plan and to the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
Qatar Museums, along with several other small-community movements, have launched weekly beach clean-ups throughout the year to raise awareness about sustainable waste management practices.
Thousands of kilos of harmful waste, including hundreds of tonnes of single-use plastic, were collected from different locations across the country to protect the environment and improve coastal and marine life. The waste was then sorted and sent for recycling.
Save the turtles
Every year, experts and researchers step in to help the critically endangered hawksbill baby turtles by adopting programmes and plans to guarantee their protection, sustainability and growth.
Female turtles nest and lay their eggs across several spots in Qatar, including Fuwairit, Lehwaylah, Ras Laffan, Al Ghariyah, Al Maroona, Al Mafeer, Haloul, Sharaawah, Rukn islands and Umm Tees.
To protect the species and ensure their safe and well-protection, authorities close Fuwairi beach to the public during nesting season to closely monitor the turtles and protect them from any harm, given their importance to the region’s ecosystem.
In less than three years, the Gulf nation has assisted in the release of nearly 31,000 hawksbill baby turtles from a specifically designated region of Fuwairit Beach as part of the country’s efforts to protect endangered species.
Less plastic, better future
Single-use plastics are one of the major reasons for water pollution around the world. According to data from the National Geographic and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 91% of the world’s plastic is not recycled whilst 70% of it ends up in landfills or the environment. It is estimated that by 2050, the amount of plastic in the water will outnumber fish.
In a move towards adopting a greener alternative, Talabat has introduced its Sustainable Packaging Programme in Qatar, which seeks to minimise plastic waste and carbon emissions across the region.
Available for most restaurants, the packaging is 100% plant-based and contains no perfluoroalkoxy-alkanes, also commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’ that cannot be broken down by natural processes.
Marine protected areas
Last year, Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment announced plans to create marine protected areas that cover 30% of the country’s water in the next 10 years.
The project aims to ensure the protection of ecosystems and sensitive species for current and future generations, including whales, sharks and dugongs, all of which are crucial for marine environment preservation and eco-tourism.
In fact, the Arabian Gulf houses the second-largest population of dugongs on the planet, and the largest whale shark concentration in the world.
Written By Menatalla Ibrahim, Doha News.
What efforts has Qatar made to help save the ocean?
VERTECO, the region’s leading specialists in water conservation solutions, smart washroom technologies and smart water management, have been announced as the official distributors of the Smixin handwashing system, an innovative solution set to revolutionize the way we wash our hands in public places.
Smixin is the brainchild of Swiss inventor Elmar Mock, co-inventor of the Swatch watch. Recognising the considerable water-saving potential of something like handwashing, which we all do many times a day, the system was created to address not only global water shortage challenges, but to also address public hygiene concerns.
The mobile, fully automatic station makes hand washing accessible to everyone, wherever and whenever it is needed. From the counters in food courts and hotel buffets to school playgrounds and busy airport terminals, the free-standing system can be conveniently located in crowded places, promoting health and sustainability, and helping business achieve environmental and cost efficiencies at the same time.
VERTECO, regarded regionally as the pioneers of sustainability, already offer an award-winning portfolio of water saving technologies and smart washroom sensor-driven 3D IoT solutions. All of their products aim to promote responsible behaviours and lower the UAE’s collective water footprint, so the addition of the Smixin system was an obvious choice.
Hand washing is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of viruses. Bacteria and germs live on our hands and are easily transferred to the inside of our mouths, leading to illnesses and infections. Hand sanitizing before eating isn’t ideal and visiting busy washrooms isn’t always desirable or possible. But while handwashing remains an absolute necessity in life, it doesn’t always align with a sustainable use of natural resources.
In line with VERTECO’s water-saving solutions, the Smixin system guarantees the most ecological usage of water, soap and paper of any hand washing. With pre-set parameters, consumption of water, soap and paper towels is regulated, meaning only 0.2 litres of water is used, a saving of 90% water compared to the average hand wash. It also reduces soap consumption and paper towel use by 60%, compared to conventional dispensers.
The system delivers impeccable hygiene standards too, with a unique touchless handwash solution. You simply place your hands in the system and a mix of water and soap are dispensed, followed by a paper towel, with the entire process taking under 15 seconds. The highest standards of hand sanitation are delivered, with a minimum of resources, and without compromising on user experience.
James Fortier, Business Development Ambassador – APAC & Middle East, Smixin commented, “In the Middle East, one of the most water scarce regions in the world, reducing water consumption is crucial. We applaud the strategies some governments have already adapted to address this concern, including the adoption of technologies that increase water efficiency. Our systems are designed to significantly contribute to this environmental aim. But as well as focusing on limiting the impact hand washing has on the environment, we are also committed to promoting the importance of hand hygiene and making hand washing – a basic necessity – accessible to as many people, in as many places as possible. We are thrilled to partner with VERTECO to distribute our products in the region and to help us achieve a company goal of saving 10 billion litres of water by the end of 2022.”
David King, Managing Director of VERTECO for the MENA Region said, “We are delighted to offer Smixin products to local businesses and to be a part of a handwashing revolution that has already had a profound effect on sustainability and improving hand hygiene within facilities around the world. Post-COVID we are more aware than ever of the importance of hand washing, and by offering such a simple, yet effective solution that aligns with our sustainably ethos, we hope to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the region’s people.”
With water saving a major challenge for countries around the world, the Smixin handwashing systems have won international acclaim and can be found schools, business offices and well known places such as Shake Shack, McDonalds, KFC, Carnival Cruise Lines, Virgin Cruises and Marriott Hotels
Source cbnme.com
Qatar Airways has launched a voluntary carbon offset programme for its corporate and trade clients.
The programme enables customers to offset their own carbon emissions via a dedicated web portal before or after a flight and uses the IATA industry best practice for calculating CO2 emissions, and has been designed to simplify the process for corporates.
Since 2020, the Qatar Airways’ voluntary carbon offsetting programme for passengers has been contributing with the Fatanpur Wind Farm project located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, consisting of 54 wind turbines, which generate a combined output of 108 MW, and avoids 210,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. For more details of the project, see
Qatar Airways launches voluntary carbon offset programme for passengers
The support for the Fatanpur project not only reduces global carbon emissions, it also provides employment opportunities; delivers improved education through providing materials and expertise to nearby schools; and supports a mobile medical unit – enabling improved healthcare to the local community.
In November 2021, Qatar Airways Cargo, the freight division of Qatar Airways Group, also launched a new voluntary carbon offsetting programme for air cargo shipments, becoming the first cargo carrier to join the IATA CO2NNECT platform and the first airline in the world to make a carbon transaction through the IATA Aviation Carbon Exchange (ACE) via IATA Clearing House (ICH).
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Building a long-term sustainable aviation industry requires coordinated efforts, and businesses play an important role in building more environmentally friendly and more sustainable air travel. We are happy to provide an opportunity for our corporate clients to voluntarily offset the carbon footprint of corporate trips through recognised projects that help both communities and the environment, and encourage them to make carbon offsetting part of their carbon management plan. This further supports the Qatar Airways Group’s goal to strengthen our environmental sustainability efforts and enhances our leadership position in the aviation industry.”
Source: www.businesstraveller.com
