Environmental development a pillar of QNV, says minister

HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani

• Qatar Environment Day marked today HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani has underlined that Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is keen to protect the environment and its natural balance to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for all generations. In this regard, HE the Minister said that Qatar has placed environmental development as one of the four pillars of Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and stressed that achieving this vision is a national responsibility for all. He explained that Qatar intends to achieve environmental development goals, especially in the priority areas contained in the Environment and Climate Change Strategy, especially greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, biodiversity, water, circular economy, waste management, and land sustainability. This came in the speech of HE the Minister on the occasion of the celebration of Qatar Environment Day, which falls on February 26 every year, and is celebrated this year under the slogan “Our Environment Our Responsibility.” He said that this slogan is a message that seeks to document the strong relationship between society and its environment, adding that preserving the environment is an integral part of Qatar’s heritage and a societal responsibility aimed at protecting the natural resources and environment. In his speech, he reiterated the keenness to exert more effort to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development goals as part of the ministry’s strategy in protecting the environment and limiting the effects of climate change. He explained that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change aims to actively contribute to achieving the goals announced by His Highness the Amir, during his participation in the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, which reflects Qatar’s interest in the issue of climate change, which is at the forefront of its priorities, by declaring Qatar’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, reducing the effects of climate change and the country’s approach to dealing with climate change. HE the Minister highlighted that Qatar is at the forefront of countries that have announced their plans to seriously and effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to its prominent role as an active member in international efforts related to combating climate change and supporting global plans to preserve the planet from the increase in carbon emissions. He pointed out that the celebration of Qatar Environment Day every year is an important occasion to draw attention to priority environmental issues in the country, and emphasise the importance of preserving the environment for future generations, raising the level of environmental awareness among various individuals and groups of society, and improving behaviour patterns towards the environmental resources. He added that the increase in community participation in environmental activities and events held on this occasion, reflects the keenness of all individuals, government, and private sector institutions and associations to confirm their commitment to protecting the environment and achieving the goals of sustainable development. HE the Minister said that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was keen during the Environment Day’s activities to launch a set of distinguished environmental activities and events to spread environmental awareness and knowledge and consolidate the values and behaviours of environmental protection to achieve sustainability and preserve biodiversity. He noted that these activities varied between afforestation campaigns, the release of animals and birds in natural reserves, cleaning and cultivation of endangered wild plants in green fields, in addition to awareness activities in schools to spread environmental awareness among young students because of their important role in achieving sustainable development and preserving the environment. He the Minister thanked all parties and individuals for their valuable and appreciated participation in the activities of Qatar Environment Day 2022, stressing that these initiatives are part of the efforts made to enable greater participation of the entities in environmental awareness programmes and strengthen community partnership in a way that contributes to achieving the ministry’s strategy in preserving the environment and introducing environmental issues and climate change.