Shura Council reviews Qatar's efforts in renewable energy

The Shura Council has reviewed Qatar's efforts and its relentless pursuit towards relying on renewable energy within the framework of the trend towards achieving sustainable development in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030.
This came at the plenary session of the 13th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi Saturday.
The Shura Council is represented in the work of the session by its member HE Eng Ahmad bin Hitmi al-Hitmi.
During the session, HE al-Hitmi stressed the interest of Qatar in the issue of "energy transition" and overcoming obstacles to sustainable development, pointing out that Qatar has achieved important successes in the transition towards clean energy.
In this context, he highlighted the most important projects implemented by the country in the field of infrastructure, including the transport sector, which relies in large part on electric energy, in addition to the various initiatives in this regard, which were most evident during the World Cup.
HE al-Hitmi added that Qatar's efforts led to the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as the first carbon-neutral tournament in the history of the World Cup competitions.
He referred to the technologies used by Qatar to cool the World Cup stadiums, as well as lighting the stadiums using solar energy.
He touched on "Al-Kharsaah" project, which contributes to 10% of the electricity demand in the country.
He said that these technologies enabled the development of energy-saving cooling methods for growing crops during the summer months, which is of great benefit to members of society.
In a related context, HE al-Hitmi pointed to the completion of the initiative to plant one million trees, as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and noted the Qatar National Strategy for Environment and Climate Change, which aims to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the long term by reducing emissions by 25% by 2030.
He stressed that these remarkable successes make the Qatari experience a role model in implementing sustainable development programmes and plans, especially its success in diversifying energy sources and benefiting from the prevailing climatic conditions in the country and transforming climate challenges into real opportunities for investment and development, which support its ability to fulfil its international obligations established in many international treaties on environmental protection and combating climate change.
He also touched on Qatar's support for developing countries to face the repercussions of climate change.
In this context, HE al-Hitmi referred to Qatar's provision of $25mn in support to Pakistan to deal with the effects of climate change, natural hazards and environmental challenges, out of its belief that the phenomenon of climate change constitutes an existential threat, which confirms the importance of international co-operation to take urgent measures to confront this phenomenon.
He noted Qatar's encouragement to invest in renewable energy and energy rationalisation, by providing financial, administrative and media incentives that make this investment attractive, safe and economically feasible, as well as providing support to leading companies active in the field.
He touched on the energy challenges facing the world today in light of the crises and disasters that strike a number of countries in the world.
HE al-Hitmi said that the present time is characterised by instability and is witnessing successive crises and grave challenges that have led to an increase in global demand for energy, in addition to the natural disasters that many countries are exposed to as a result of climate change.
The 13th session of IRENA and the accompanying meetings discuss new opportunities that can arise from potential partnerships in establishing local value chains, stimulating the decarbonisation of industries, creating new jobs, and ensuring greater social justice, with the aim of providing a more sustainable energy transition through international co-operation.
The meetings also include a number of topics related to renewable energy, enhancing energy sustainability efforts and achieving a sustainable future, decentralised renewable energy solutions for remote and isolated communities, and stimulating local financing for renewable energy projects.