Sustainable Qatar: Social, Political and Environmental Perspectives

Description

This open access book provides a topical overview of the key sustainability issues in Qatar, focusing on environmental sustainability from a socio-political perspective. The transition to a sustainable Qatar requires engagement with diverse areas of social-political, human, and environmental development. On the environmental aspects, the contributors address climate change, food security, water reuse and desalination, energy, and biodiversity. The socio-political section examines state strategy and regulation, the place of environmental law and geopolitics and sustainability innovators and catalysts. The human section considers economics, sustainability education, the knowledge economy, and waste management. In doing so, the book demarcates the ways in which the country encounters and grapples with significant challenges and delves into the range of options for future pathways to sustainability in Qatar. Relevant to policymakers and scholars in energy and environment, urban and developmental studies, as well as the arenas of politics, climate change and policy, this book is a landmark collection on environmental policy in the Gulf and beyond. Foreword Contents Editors and Contributors 1 Sustainable Qatar 1.1 Why Sustainability? 1.2 Qatar in Context 1.3 The Book 1.4 Chapters References 2 The Evolvement of Qatar’s Environmental Sustainability Policy: The Strategies, Regulations, and Institutions 2.1 Introduction 2.2 National Policies and Strategies 2.2.1 Qatar National Vision 2030 2.2.2 National Development Strategy 2.2.3 National Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2.2.4 National Climate Change Action Plan 2.2.5 Sectoral and Sub-sectoral Strategies 2.2.6 Institutional Level Strategies 2.3 Laws and Regulations 2.4 Institutions 2.5 Conclusion References 3 Law and Governance Innovations on Sustainability in Qatar: Current Approaches and Future Directions 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Legal Frameworks on Sustainability in Qatar 3.2.1 International and Regional Efforts 3.2.2 Domestic Legislation 3.2.3 Scholarly Publications and Local Initiatives by Organizations 3.3 Advancing the Coherent Implementation of Sustainability Policies and Programs in Qatar: The Need for an Integrated Approach 3.4 Conclusion References 4 FIFA World Cup 2022 as a Catalyst for Environmental Sustainability in Qatar 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Setting the Direction 4.3 Sustainable Buildings 4.3.1 Physical 4.3.2 Knowledge 4.3.3 Institutional 4.4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 4.4.1 Physical 4.4.2 Knowledge 4.4.3 Institutional 4.5 Waste Minimization and Recycling 4.5.1 Physical 4.5.2 Knowledge 4.5.3 Institutional 4.6 Future Options and Conclusions References 5 Qatar Foundation: A Sustainability Innovator 5.1 The Role of Non-State Actors in Promoting and Enhancing Sustainability 5.2 Qatar Foundation: A Unique Ecosystem with Amplified Impact 5.2.1 Leading by Example 5.2.2 Best Practices for Sustainable Behaviors: Operations and Waste Management 5.2.3 Advocating for Well-Being Through the Interface with Nature 5.2.4 Promoting Sustainability Through Community Engagement, Education, Research, Policy Advocacy, and Global Dialogue 5.2.5 Education for Sustainability 5.2.6 Applied Research for Sustainable Development 5.2.7 Global Reach: QF’s Role in Advancing and Promoting Dialogue 5.3 Impact and Challenges 5.4 Toward a Sustainable Future References 6 Qatar’s Energy Policy and the Transition Towards a Renewable and Carbon–Neutral Future 6.1 Introduction 6.2 The Geopolitics of Energy: A Globally Transformative History 6.3 Conceptualizing the New Energy Landscape 6.4 A Sustainable Future for Qatar's Energy Sector? 6.5 Concluding Observations References 7 Qatar in the Energy Transition: Low Carbon Economy Challenges and Opportunities 7.1 Introduction 7.1.1 From Hydrocarbons to Renewable Energy Systems 7.1.2 Challenges and Vulnerabilities 7.2 Qatar’s Energy History 7.3 Qatar’s Local Emissions and Solutions 7.3.1 Qatar’s Mitigation Options 7.3.2 Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) 7.3.3 Renewable Energy (R.E.) 7.4 Qatar’s International Efforts in Climate Mitigation 7.5 Embracing the Low Carbon Energy Transition 7.5.1 Near-Term Gains 7.5.2 Upcoming Threats 7.5.3 The Next Low Carbon Fuel 7.6 The Path Forward 7.6.1 Threat: Hydrocarbon Asset Desertification 7.6.2 Deployment of Systems Analysis: Evidence-Based Policies 7.6.3 Support Material, Energy and Resources Exchange, and Integration 7.6.4 Investments in Research and Development (R&D) 7.6.5 Leaning in Energy Diplomacy and Taking Climate Leadership References 8 A Systems Perspective on the Sustainable Development of Qatar 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Systemic Nature of the Sustainability Challenges of Qatar 8.3 Systems Analysis Tools to Support Sustainability Policy 8.3.1 Theoretical Frameworks that Can Be Operationalized for Policy Analysis 8.3.2 Computer-Based Models that Are Used to Explore and Design Different Policies 8.4 Developing an Energy Systems Model of Qatar 8.4.1 What Is a TIMES Model and How It Works 8.4.2 Use of TIMES in Policy Analysis Internationally 8.4.3 Policy Relevance of TIMES in Qatar 8.5 Recommendations for Future Work to Support Sustainability Policy in Qatar References 9 Sea Level Rise and the National Security Challenge of Sustainable Urban Adaptation in Doha and Other Arab Coastal Cities 9.1 Introduction 9.2 The Literature on SLR, Related Urban Risks, and Economic Impacts 9.2.1 Ongoing Dynamics of SLR and Related Risks 9.3 Increasing Global Hazard Frequency, Exposure, and Vulnerability of Arab Coastal Cities 9.4 Urban Planning, Proactivity, and Innovation Are Critically Important: Case of Doha, a Fast-Growing Middle East City 9.4.1 The Case of Doha 9.4.2 Contributions from the City, State, and Other Stakeholders Are Essential 9.5 South-South Transfers of Expertise and Innovation 9.6 Conclusion Notes References 10 Assessing and Reporting Potential Environmental Risks Associated with Reefing Oil Platform During Decommissioning in Qatar 10.1 A Synthesis of Key Issues of the Marine Environment in Qatar 10.2 Justification, Benefits with a Historical Context 10.3 Political, Economic, and Regulatory Framework Context 10.4 Reefing Obsolete Oil Platforms, a DPSIR Analysis 10.4.1 Rationale 10.4.2 Qatar Oilfields 10.4.3 The Rig-to-Reef Approach 10.4.4 The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) Framework 10.4.5 Conclusion 10.5 Future Options References 11 The Domestic Water Sector in Qatar 11.1 Background Information 11.2 Water Sector Challenges 11.3 Water Resources Status 11.4 Water Demand 11.5 Qatar’s Water Strategies 11.5.1 Specific Initiatives, Best Practices 11.6 Pathways Toward Sustainability 11.6.1 Qatar Voluntary National Review (2021) 11.6.2 Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Policies 11.6.3 Food Security Strategies Sustainability 11.7 Conclusions and Policy Implications References 12 Contribution of Non-profit Organizations to Food Security and Sustainability in the State of Qatar 12.1 Introduction and Motivation 12.2 Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts of Food Loss and Waste 12.2.1 Historical Context of Food Security in Qatar 12.3 Food Self-Sufficiency and Domestic Markets (Government’s Efforts to Achieve Food Security) 12.3.1 Food Types and Management 12.3.2 Non-profit Organization Contribution to Food Security 12.4 Role of Non-profit Organization in Achieving Food Security in Qatar 12.4.1 The Role of Hifz Al Naema in Achieving Food Security 12.4.2 The Role of Wahab in Achieving Food Security 12.5 Policy Implications References 13 Terrestrial Biodiversity in Arid Environments: One Global Component of Climate Crisis Resilience 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Plant and Microbial Diversity in Qatar 13.3 Terrestrial Mammal Diversity in Qatar 13.4 Birds in Qatar and Their Role in Maintaining Biodiversity and Culture 13.5 Toads 13.6 Terrestrial Reptiles 13.7 Terrestrial Arthropods (Insects, Arachnids, and Crustaceans) 13.8 Summary Appendix References 14 Doha as a 15-Minute City: An Urban Fereej 14.1 Life Per Minute, or How Much Is Our Time Worth? 14.2 What Is the 15-Minute City?—A New Lens for Sustainable Urbanism 14.2.1 Density 14.2.2 Proximity 14.2.3 Diversity 14.2.4 Digitalization 14.3 Doha in 15 Minutes 14.3.1 Density and Urban Space and Form in Doha 14.3.2 On Proximity and Carless Reach in Doha 14.3.3 Diversity and Convertibility in Doha 14.3.4 Ubiquity and Digitalization in Doha 14.4 Qatar’s Opportunity for Positive Change References 15 From Planning Cities to Sustaining Communities: Smart and Sustainable Urban Strategies for the Post-carbon Transition in the Gulf States 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Beyond Oil: The Inevitability of Smart and Sustainable Urbanism 15.3 Human-Driven Urban Planning: Economy, Society, Technology and Policy 15.3.1 The Proposed Framework: Smart Sustainable Cities in the Gulf States 15.4 Conclusion References 16 Toward the Circular Qatari Zero-Waste Management Sector 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Solid Waste Management Outlook 16.2.1 Global Waste Generation 16.2.2 Waste Collection and Disposal 16.2.3 From Business-Oriented to Multidimensional Waste Recovery and Recycling 16.2.4 Global and Regional Partnerships 16.2.5 Qatar Context 16.3 Current Status of the Qatari SWM Sector 16.3.1 Waste Generation 16.3.2 Collection 16.3.3 Management Facilities 16.3.4 Waste Disposal 16.3.5 Challenges and Driving Forces 16.3.6 Role of Stakeholders in Shaping SWM in Qatar 16.4 Zero-Waste-Based Roadmap to the Circular MSW Sector 16.4.1 Qatar University Case Study 16.4.2 Qatar Foundation Case Study 16.4.3 Synthesis and Key Messages 16.4.4 Conclusion and Recommendations References 17 Education for Sustainable Development in Qatar 17.1 Introduction 17.2 The Importance of ESD for Qatar 17.3 Political Economy Framework for ESD in Qatar 17.3.1 Qatar National Vision 2030 17.3.2 Qatar National Development Strategy 2011–2016 17.3.3 Qatar National Development Strategy 2018–2022 17.4 Historical Context 17.5 Current Situation of ESD in Qatar 17.6 Key Issues for Implementing ESD in Qatar 17.6.1 Policy 17.6.2 The School System 17.6.3 Localization of ESD 17.7 Concluding Remarks References 18 Developing a Vibrant Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Qatar: A Sustainable Pathway Toward the Knowledge-Based Economy? 18.1 Introduction 18.2 The Current Qatari Economic Context and the State of the Economic Diversification Process 18.3 Characteristics of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Qatar: Strengths and Shortcomings 18.3.1 Strengths of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Qatar 18.3.2 Obstacles of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Qatar 18.4 Conclusion References 19 Pathways for a Sustainable Future 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Qatar: Unique Conditions, Challenges, and Opportunities 19.3 Sustainability: Policy Frameworks and Legal Instruments 19.4 Implementation and Transition 19.5 Areas for Future Research Attention 19.6 Recommendations References