GGGI projects to make Qatar more resilient against climate change

Doha, Qatar: The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) to implement a number of projects to make Qatar more resilient in addressing climate change.

The projects include climate change adaptation, circular economy, tracking greenhouse gas emissions (MRV or measurement, reporting, and verification), capacity building, and green growth pathway development.

In an interview with The Peninsula, Helena McLeod, Deputy Director-General and Head of the Green Growth Planning & Implementation (GGP&I) Division at GGGI, said GGGI Qatar Office, which opened in January 2022, is providing technical assistance to the government through policy advisory, investment planning, and capacity building in green growth.

She said GGGI’s role is to serve as a trusted advisor, contributing to meeting Qatar’s climate action such as reducing emissions in line with their global commitments in the Paris Agreement.

“One of the GGGI’s priorities in Qatar is to fast-track the development of a comprehensive MRV system that will enable Qatar to monitor and measure its greenhouse gas emissions especially in energy, transport, industry, and waste sectors,” said McLeod. She said MRV system allows accurate submission and measurement of emissions, which is a requirement of the international climate change agreement.

“That is the highest priority that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has for us this year, because they have to submit a formal document and report which accurately tells the world what their emissions are in the country in those different sectors,” said McLeod. She said GGGI is also working on the circular waste, circular economy and how to manage waste sustainably. “We are also working with the MoECC on the financial sector to make it greener and more sustainable — promoting resilience and green economic growth. It’s not just climate change, emission reduction but also, for instance, protecting the country’s biodiversity and the country itself from climate change,” McLeod added.

She said GGGI operates in 40 countries worldwide across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Europe. GGGI advises host governments, provides technical assistance, analysis and presents recommendations on what’s best for a country.

She noted that after evidence is gathered, and recommendations are made, it is down to the government to take a decision on what they’re going to enforce in law or in policy and how it can be implemented.

“Here, we are working for the government as partners, with the government in the lead. So we come with our ideas, our knowledge, our advice, but it is up to the government to decide what is in the best interests,” McLeod stressed. Regarding consumption, McLeod said rationalising energy consumption would greatly help in protecting the environment which could be achieved by influencing the behaviour of people. She said that every simple way of saving resources makes people aware that there is a benefit to the environment by using a bit less energy.

For instance, running air conditioning at a comfortable level and using efficient water taps would save energy and resources.

“Qatar is a fascinating country because it’s relatively small in terms of population, but it really made remarkable achievements internationally. Qatar is helping less well-off countries as well in addressing climate change. We’ve also discussed with the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) about where to do some work for developing countries.” Speaking about the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, she said Qatar built the most climate-smart stadiums as part of the tournament.

They also invested, for instance, in e-buses to curb emissions. McLeod said the World Cup was also about being futuristic, being cutting edge, and breaking new grounds.

“I think that’s something they can also bring to this whole climate debate. How can we protect our history and our people? How can we look forward with the latest technologies and find those solutions and find the solutions at a scale that makes a difference for the world?” On projects being carried out in Qatar, McLeod said, GGGI partners with Qatar on projects outside the country. She cited a Qatar-funded project in the Pacific.

“This is related to working with entrepreneurs who are in green businesses or sustainable businesses and helping them flourish and get bigger. It’s working in really poor countries that are very vulnerable to climate change.