Sustainable Qatar: Social, Political and Environmental Perspectives

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