‘Heavy penalty’ soon for wasting water, electricity

The Tarsheed campaign to reduce the consumption of electricity and water has achieved major results, says the Kahramaa presidentBy Ramesh MathewStaff ReporterQatar will soon become the first GCC and Arab country to enact a landmark legislation against wastage of energy and water resources, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari said yesterday.“Heavy penalty will be imposed on those found wasting electricity and water,” he stated yesterday on the sidelines of the launch of the Tarsheed 22 (T22)  campaign, jointly undertaken by Kahramaa and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC).As part of its efforts to effectively put in place the proposed legislation, the government may consider banning the imports of certain high energy-consuming equipment and other instruments, including lamps, he revealed. Al-Kuwari pointed out that excellent results had been achieved after the 2012 April launch of the Tarsheed campaign to reduce consumption of electricity and water in the country. The latest achievements will be announced on April 22 when the campaign enters its fourth year. “The T22 campaign, which would make full use of the passion that Qatar’s young generation has for football, is aimed at enhancing children’s awareness on energy conservation,” explained SC secretary general Hassan al-Thawadi.The educational awareness project, being launched initially in 22 independent schools involving close to 1,500 children, is  expected to strengthen Kahramaa’s  Tarsheed campaign.The T22 campaign is to be launched in primary schools located in the communities near the 2022 FIFA World Cup venues across the country. Along with the target of reducing energy consumption by about 25%, al-Kuwari hoped the T22 campaign would help raise awareness about the harmful emissions polluting the atmosphere.As part of the campaign, schools will receive an energy audit and upgrades to water and electrical fixtures to decrease consumption through faucet aerators and energy-saving bulbs. The Kahramaa president  thanked HE the Energy and Industry Minister Dr Mohamed Saleh al-Sada and HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi for their support to the T22 campaign. While hoping that the 2022 FIFA World Cup would be the most environment-friendly one ever, al-Thawadi said the event’s success would help increase awareness about the need to reduce harmful emissions across the world.  Al-Thawadi felt the campaign would give an opportunity for everyone to look seriously at the vital issue of protecting the environment through eco-friendly methods and  help the country’s youth to bring changes in their attitudes.“Legacy, innovation and sustainability have always been at the forefront of our thinking since we bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and we are pleased to play in this important programme by bringing the spirit of football and sport to T22. Sports have a key role to play in building a more sustainable community, which makes it perfect fit for this effort,” he said.T22 is  targeted at students  in the age group 6-12, school staff, teachers and parents.  The target groups are to be reached through campaigns and an energy efficiency curriculum and sport activities.