The message that sustainability is for everyone is once again given emphasis during the opening of Qatar Sustainability Week 2021 held at Msheireb Downtown Doha. The week-long campaign includes at least 300 events.
Qatar Sustainability Week, an initiative of Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) is now in its sixth year. The event aims to encourage people to live more sustainable lives and create a movement of change by raising awareness on the impact of climate change, the effects of which are seen and felt all over the world. QGBC is a member of Qatar Foundation.
According to QGBC Director Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, with more than seven billion people on the planet – a figure which is expected to top nine billion in 30 years, when around 75% of the world’s population will be living in cities – people’s behaviour matters.
They will consume energy, they will consume water, they will produce waste, and they will have a direct impact on the environment.
He said that even if you have a sustainable building or a sustainable city, but without the right behaviour from users and consumers, you will achieve nothing.
Awareness programmes
Throughout the years, QGBC’s awareness programmes – which include conferences and technical initiatives, for the academia and the hospitality and well-being industries – focus on raising awareness within the community.
All these programmes support very important segments of the industry, says Engineer Al Shamari. But the most important part is awareness – knowledge of tools and techniques and people’s contribution towards the environment.
Jason Twill, Director of the World Cup Master Program at Qatar Foundation, also delivered a talk on Moving beyond Sustainability, highlighting how people should be shifting past the concept of sustainability, and moving towards restorative and regenerative approaches.
Speaking on the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Twill said that Qatar has an incredible 11 years of transformation happening to get ready for the event. He noted how the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has embraced sustainability at the core of the tournament, and it will be the most sustainable World Cup in history.
Sport is a powerful mechanism – Qatar is hosting the entire world here next year, and showcasing its values to the world: its heritage, its culture, the progressive vision for the country. It’s an incredible platform for change, not just an event to watch football matches.
Qatar Sustainability Week 2021 will wrap up on 30 October. For more information on the campaign and on other sustainable activities this week, visit qatargbc.org.
Check out Marhaba’s FREE e-Guides for everything you need to know about Qatar.