A number of initiatives by the Qatar government and private sector companies towards promoting sustainability and green buildings in the country were highlighted at the World Green Building Council Congress in Hong Kong, which took place from October 27 to 30.
Attending the congress, the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) team presented to more than 400 top leaders from Green Building Councils around the world an overview of various sustainability efforts that Qatar has pursued over the last decade.
“Qatar has considerably increased its efforts aimed at protecting the environment and fostering a culture of sustainability,” QGBC director engineer Meshal al-Shamari said.
“Continuing to play a significant role in the green sector, the government has established multiple campaigns focused on raising awareness about energy and water consumption,” he noted. “The same efforts have been extended toward the construction and waste management sectors.”
The QGBC is member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
The QGBC’s participation in the conference supports the QF’s mission to foster a progressive society and seeks to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 in creating a vibrant sustainability culture with a special focus on Qatar’s booming construction industry.
Under the theme Thinking Beyond: Pathway to Future Sustainable City Development, the annual conference gave participants the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the field of sustainability research and policy.
In collaboration with other industry partners, the QGBC has established a number of initiatives and programmes in recent years aimed at fostering sustainability research and awareness in Qatar and the wider region.
Some of these initiatives include Qatar’s first Passivhaus villa, the introduction of a prestigious sustainability education programme, eight different industry interest groups, Qatar’s first green directory, and numerous awareness efforts, including the annual “No Paper Day”.