Qatar has made environmental sustainability a key part of its development plans and the state has strived for a balance between its economic growth and infrastructural development and the preservation of its environment and natural resources. Qatar National Vision 2030 aims at putting in place an effective legal framework and environmental institutions. It also emphasises educating the public about climate change and their role in protecting the environment.
Following this vision, the government has embedded environmental sustainability in all its development plans. Last year, the country hosted the first ever carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup by offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions, while advancing low-carbon solutions. Environmental protection was also an integral part in the development of World Cup infrastructure. This included building water and energy-efficient stadiums and increasing the use of recycled material in construction. World Cup stadiums have increased green spaces in the country with vast public parks built around these arenas.
In fact, the government has worked to increase public parks across Qatar, providing green spaces in all residential clusters. 2022 saw addition of 12 new public parks. The number of public parks in Qatar reached 148 in 2022 from 56 in 2010, recording 164 percent growth. Green spaces in the country also increased to more than 43 million square metres in 2022, from about 2.5 million square metres in 2010. Most of these green spaces are irrigated with treated wastewater. Ahead of the World Cup, Qatar also launched an initiative involving educational institutions, diplomatic missions and others to plant million trees in the country. The millionth tree was planted on December 18, 2022.
The country is also working to increase the share of clean energy in the national economy. It inaugurated its first mega solar power project, the 800-megawatt Al Kharsaah Solar PV Power Plant. Spread over 10 square kilometers, it is one of the largest solar power projects in the region. It includes more than 1,800,000 solar panels that utilise sun tracking technology to follow the movement of the sun to ensure the most efficient use of land and to maximise daily production. It utilises robotic arms and treated water to clean the solar panels at night in order to enhance the plant’s production efficiency. The project can fulfil 10 percent of the country’s total electricity demand during peak summer season.
The government is also working to build two more solar power plants over the next two years with combined capacity of 880 megawatts.
