COVER STORY qatartoday
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Qatar Today october 09
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in eet te m s der clima ts a e al en dl orl glob the ev eraw e for a new rough ing gen have e b ays h out run th e com that gerd 0 n 3 thras ime to for th ledges id dan a h t o t p l ess gen to e best f peri ok at d to av l h y e lo it enha is th era o onl we e need t p n n u w o e a C l, no ,b nt wh t ar nge a dea t porte is also se tha h c c ate omi tha . Now rt - tho m i n l o c c e tion en sho phic nd o a r l t g s fal min ata r c a . t s al w even 14. nge b r a o p l h c can fore 20 us g ate o s i e m r i i e e l b s c og isk nol o them ous r h c e e t dw. en t mmit n e a r G e co e es dlin quenc a e if w he d conse t s Mis tdown mel
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And How We (Re)Act...
Cover STORY
Over the past 100 years (1906 - 2005), the temperature of the Earth has risen by 0.74°C. In comparison, warming after the last ice age was globally 4 - 7 °C and that took place over 5000 years.
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Visible Consequences Today, the concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases far exceeds what has been the natural level over the past 650,000 years. The amount of CO2 is 35 percent higher than before industrialisation, and the amount of methane has more than doubled. It is however, difficult to distinguish accurately between climatic influences and other man-made influences on the planet, such as agriculture and infrastructure. Arctic areas, including Greenland, are also noticeably affected. Climate changes there are more pronounced than in other areas on the planet. For example, a new survey by the Zackenberg research station in Greenland has shown that while spring season on the planet has advanced on an average five days per decade, at Zackenberg it has advanced 30 days over the past 10 years. The temperature in the Arctic over the past century has risen twice as much as for the rest of the planet. Warming means that ice and snow are melting on an increasingly larger part of the surface of the ice cap. The area where ice and snow are melting has increased in
size by 30 percent over the past 30 years. This gives rise in part to an increased flow of melt water into the sea and also melt water seeping through the ice. The seeping water causes the ice to flow faster across the surface of the land and melt faster. Melting from land-based ice caps contributes to higher water levels on the seas and oceans and, at the same time, the increased flow of fresh water may influence ocean currents and thus the distribution of heat across the globe. In addition to increased melting of glaciers and ice caps, the amount of ice in the seas and oceans has been decreasing over the last decades. Future global consequences Over the past 100 years (1906 - 2005), the temperature of the Earth has risen by 0.74°C. In comparison, warming after the last ice age was globally 4 - 7 °C and that took place over 5000 years. This, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was 10 times slower than the one we are experiencing today. Over the past 25 years, the Earth’s temperature has
risen by 0.18 ºC per decade, which is more than twice as much as the average for the past 100 years. Regionally... Now is the time to reflect on the small steps that countries like Qatar and Abu Dhabi -- countries with the highest per capita carbon footprint in the world (source WWF Report 2008) -- take to make a favourable mark on the environment. The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, announced last January that he would invest $15 billion in renewable energy. A figure that matches the amount US President Obama has proposed investing - in the entire United States - “to catalyse private sector efforts to build a clean energy future.” Masdar, the model city in Abu Dhabi, that will generate no carbon emissions, is tied to the crown prince’s ambitions. This city has solar panels that will eventually power its offices. It is an ambitious project that will make the world look towards the Middle East for ‘greener solutions’.
NaUnited nge e h t r a fo ate Ch ports tion re anel on Climces and Cliu ib r t P n n ental the co equenc nseque One of tergovernm Report, “Co future cons tribute tions InAssessment valuates the ected to con r man, Fourth daptation”, e nges are exp re serious fo mate A climate cha sequences a t es tha e of the con . m o nts S . o t nd pla a s l a anim will t areas e w t a th xpected ry it is e drier. u t n e c is t le of th areas will ge y r d In the midd ter and get wet oblems have pr epends o t d e t c d pe ion is ex y regions populat supply in man ing. ’s t e an ter melt the pl and ice as the wa sixth of Up to a ack of water, such as snow s with a l ter resource wa n upo t s are a t specie rises by an l p l and rature et’s anima l tempe a an b l o p l g e f th age rcent o he aver level. 20-30 pe extinction if t bove the 1990 a f C o ° 2.5 risk an 1.5 more th local with a e l xpa n tur rming e ected to tion if the wa p x e e r inc fs a ral ree risk ext Most co of 1 ºC, and warmingºC. ceeds 2 , quator r the e a e n e. in areas crease ected by famin e d l l wi aff ds e l b ie Crop y re people will and mo a ed and be erod -lying arl l wi s t w e, coas ion in lo seas ris orld populat . e h t n ew Whe ding rt of th of floo large pa be in danger l d eas wil affecte d to be es. e t c e p x le are e lated illness of peop e Millions e of climate-r ang r a by
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And How We (Re)Act...
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And Locally... With a litre of petrol costing less than a Qatari Riyal, fuel-guzzling SUVs are the most popular vehicles on the road. It only gets worse with little or no carpooling, and mass public transport being an option only for those who can’t afford wheels of their own. Energy consumption also peaks with few building sparing a thought to energy efficiency at the construction stage, and air-conditioners and lighting systems working 24x7. Given this situation, Qatar seems like an unlikely place to initiate a ‘green revolution’. Then again, these must be the very reasons why the Qatari government is investing billions into projects that either save energy or use alternative energy resources. The leaders understand that they are depending on resources that are finite and hence, needs to be substituted by something that is available in abundance, naturally. In the region solar energy
alternative energy sources, and some of its tenants are looking at harnessing solar energy commercially in the near future. One of the latest ‘green solutions’ that has created aviation history is the use of natural gas to fly a commercial Qatar Airways flight (see pg **). Such path-breaking initiatives will have the desired impact only with a responsible and well-informed media is responsible. Initiatives that stand out Here is where Qatar Today Green Awards (QTGA)
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comes in -- the first initiative of its kind in the region. In its second edition, QTGA 2009, was an unparalleled success with participation from companies ranging from small businesses to big institutions, initiatives as small as organising a play for environmental awareness to reducing and recovering hydrocarbon vapour emissions in daily operations. The awards ceremony held at Four Seasons, Doha,
Scientists Svante Arrhenius and P.C. Chamberlain independently realise CO2 buildups in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels may lead to global warming
on October 14 was attended by the crème’ de la crème of Qatari society. The awards were given away by prominent personalities including Prof Sheikha Abdullah Al Misnad, President, Qatar University; Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO, HSBC; Robert D’Gama, Deputy CEO, HSBC; Mohammad Masoud
1890’s French polymath JeanBaptiste Fourier first uses a greenhouse analogy, predicting warmth created by an atmospheric effect
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1350-1850 The Medieval Warm Period brings extra heat to Europe
Al Marri, Projects Director, Dohaland; and Yousuf Jassem Al Darwish, Chairman of Oryx Advertising Company. The second edition saw over 100 nominations, a significant jump from last year’s figures, which itself was a clear indication of greater awareness and action in Qatar on environmentalism. The Judging Process Winners under each category were chosen through a two-tier selection process. The selection panel comprised renowned environmental experts. Applicants were first short-listed by the judges and short listed applicants were then requested to provide detailed information on their initiatives, based on which the judges made their final decision. The jury comprised Dr Benno Böer, Ecological Sciences Advisor, UNESCO Arab Region, Dr Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, Department of Biological
The Little Ice Age chills parts of the northern hemisphere
Worldwide cooling of 0.2°C; climatologists predict a new ice age
and Environmental Sciences, Kanchan Ghoshal, Director (HR Advisory), KPMG and Deena Al Abdullah, Environmental Specialist from one of the oil and gas companies in Qatar. Commenting on the applications and the awards in general, Deena Abdullah says, “I was surprised and delighted to see that there are a number of companies in Qatar contributing to the protection of the environment. This indicates their awareness of the environmental issues related to their businesses, and their commitment in reducing the environmental impacts which is by itself, is remarkable. “This award also shows how Qatar Today is concerned about the environment and is contributing to make Qatar green and clean.” Dr Yamaguchi, also commented on the variety of projects, saying,” The projects were all good, it was difficult to decide on the winners.” NOVEMBER 09
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The Categories
Each of QTGA 2009’s categories was decided depending on how crucial that sector’s role was in curtailing their impact on the environment.
GREEN INNOVATION And How We (Re)Act...
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Before the Awards, I would say the ratings were pretty low but with the launch of such encouraging Green Awards, it pushes the scales up -Waagner Biro
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Yousuf Jassem Al Darwish, Chairman of Oryx Advertising Company. presents the Green Innovation Award to Peter Neuschaefer, Director of Environment, Waagner Biro Gulf
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hange is imminent and no longer is complacency an option, especially in corporate practices and governmental policies. Last year noted environmental activist David Suzuki had said, “The good news is that it is not too late to change the route we are on. There are alternative ways to live that are in balance with Earth’s life support systems. But getting on a new path requires real change.” In Qatar, the construction industry is often pointed to as a culprit for environmental offences - and not without fault. Last year, over half of terrestrial violations were attributed to development projects, including soil excavation, illegal waste dumping, and prohibited transportation of filling material. Hopefully the tides will change: The QSTP has recently invested $3 million in a polymer research centre, in partnership with Qatar University and Sheffield University. The centre’s goal is to find methods to recycle and transform plastic waste into environmental-friendly materials,
especially usable for local construction. The project is slated for completion in three years’ time, staffed by scientists and engineering students alike QTGA’s Green Innovation Award was given to an organisation that proved on two parameters -- technical soundness and innovation. Waagner Biro Qatar WLL/ Wager Biro Gulf LLC, UAE for their wastewater treatment and sludge dewatering at Al Khor Housing, Qatar. “The wastewater treatment systems uses a technology that activates microbial processes stimulating the natural breakdown of polluting compounds in specific waste water situation. It is a complete natural process,” says Peter Neuschaefer, Director of Environment at Waagner Biro Qatar WLL.
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Environmental Vision in education Sector
First World Climate Conference calls on governments “to foresee and prevent potential manmade changes in climate”
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Prof Sheikha Abdullah Al Misnad, President, Qatar University; presents the Environmental Vision in Education Sector Award to the students of QIS
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“The model we have runs five computers, Environmental Vision in Education Sector Environmental awareness needs to be incul- so it is small scale and it costs $2000. The cated early in life; it should be meshed in our scale up process will cost much more but the worth it.” lifestyle. If education is defined as something that pre- educational benefit is pares students for the future, then there is no escaping the need to deal with global warming. And there is nothing that affects the lives of children as much as 1985 the coming shifts in the basic physical stability of the planet, and the measures to deal with First major internationthem. Educational institutions around the al conference on greenworld are waking up to this truth and have house effect predicts a implemented environmental awareness in rise of sea levels up to their curriculum as well. one metre, and warns QTGA 2009 for Environmental Vision in against methane, ozone, the Education Sector honoured the teachCFCs, and nitrous oxide ers, pupils, parents, and stakeholders of Qatar International School (QIS) for its renewal energy programme. Dr Phil Warrlow, science teacher at QIS, has a working model, a solar cell and a wind turbine, to exhibit for the work down and that is the biggest achievement, for Warmest year the students and the faculty. recorded to date The School has ambitious plans to scale up the project and make their technology block self sufficient using only renewable resources.
“I do not believe that schools stress much on environmental consciousness in this region. It should defiantly be given more awareness and acted upon more effectively. Environmental responsibility is extremely important to be taught at school, especially at a younger age.” - QIS
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best public awareness campaign
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The green awareness campaigns are still in its premature stage and some companies are still not eco-conscious and socially-responsible in their activities. However, it is good to know that the country is slowly adopting the green culture and is embracing the concept of clean and green Qatar for a better future - Doha Bank
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Robert D’Gama, Deputy CEO, HSBC gives the Best Public Awareness Campaign Award to Louis Scotto, Head of Retail Banking, Doha Banks and to Yasser Hamad, General Manager, Salam Bounian Development Company support
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t takes a measure of power and determination to alert the people who are not alive to a pressing issue. The world woke up, rather harshly, to climate change a few years ago when both Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio used their celebrity status to bring the issue to the forefront, with their respective films An Inconvenient Truth and The 11th Hour. The public is certainly aware of the issues with international scope, but how do we begin to change things here in Qatar? The government has already declared almost 3,380 sq km as protected land and marine areas, curbing local pollution and ecological degradation in almost 30 percent of the country. But the habits of private companies, especially in the development sector, are harder to change. In 2008 alone, Ruwdit Rashed landfill in Qatar received over 5.3 million tonnes of construction waste. It is through awareness that change is brought about and if institutions join hands in the awareness programme, the process gets easier. This year saw two winners of the Best Public Awareness Campaign award: Doha Bank used its prestigious name to boost a green campaign, and Salam Bounian Development Company set an example in a crucial industry that needs it most. With its advertorial Green campaign visible throughout the country, Doha Bank
has spread the awareness message to its customers. “Doha Bank has integrated eco-consciousness into its daily operations through knowledge sharing, paperless banking and awareness campaigns on social responsibility to gradually instil the value of “green culture” within the organisation and ultimately towards the environment and the society. It also embarks to cultivate the young minds by visiting schools and educate them on environmental responsibility to make them green advocates at a young age,” says a representative of the Green Banking Task Force Committee at Doha Bank. Salam Bounian sponsored a puppet show from Beirut, addressing children of different ages in private and public schools in Doha as well as to kindergartens and private institutions . “The theme of the play was the importance of water and how to preserve it and was titled Water is the Source of Life .It explained to the children in a funny and amusing way how important water is in our lives and especially in Qatar where providing clean water is a long and costly process .The play included hand & string puppets and shadow effects, with an interactive play of music play that made the children happy while slowly educating them on the importance of conserving the resources,” says Isabella Ibrahim, Marketing Executive of Salam Bounian.
I think Qatar is doing a wonderful job in this direction and is emphasising on sustainable development in its future vision. But it has still a long way to reach its goal... - Salam Bounian 60
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Environmental Vision in Energy Sector
Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO, HSBC presents the Environmental Vision in Energy Sector Award to Adel Al Buainain, GM, Dolphin Energy
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both Qatar and Abu Dhabi and was a highly successful he energy sector is the most collaboration between Qatar’s Ministry of Envicarbon producing sector and 1991 ronment, the Environment Agency - Abu that by itself gives it enough Dhabi (EAD), Emirates Wildlife Society reason to negate that negative imMt Pinatubo erupts in and the World Wide Fund for Nature pact. Clean technology has now surthe Philippines, throwing (EWS-WWF) with technical support passed biotech and IT as the top debris into the stratofrom the US based National Coral venture capital investment area sphere that shield the Reef Institute (NCRI). in the world. The largest portion Earth from solar energy “National researchers and scienof the market belongs to clean enand result in an average tists from Qatar and the UAE were ergy. Energy giant ExxonMobil has temperature drop for recruited and trained to review the invested $600 million into a project two years range of reefs, assess their condition using the world’s largest algae farms and the potential recovery of the degraded to convert sunlight into fuel. systems. Satellite imagery, ground verification Many of Qatar’s oil and gas companies have their operations in the Al Khor area, and the surround- and offshore fieldwork were used to produce a long ing area is taking a hit. The coast holds more petroleum term conservation and management strategy. This led hydrocarbon sediments than any other area of the coun- to the signing of a Joint Coral Conservation Managetry, a whopping 56.83 ug/g compared with Doha’s 7.25 ment Plan between the Qatar and Abu Dhabi and its ug/g, according to a 2008 Qatar Statistics Authority sur- implementation will benefit the marine habitat, coral vey. In Qatar, this year’s energy industry winner reefs, the sustainability of fish stocks and future generations of both Qatar and UAE citizens,” says Ahmed Ali Al has another solution. Dolphin Energy took home the award Sayegh, CEO, Dolphin Energy. for Environmental Vision with 1988 their development plan for a robust Coral Climate Change ConvenReef Conservation and Management UN establishes Intertion is signed by 154 naStrategy. governmental Panel on tions, each agreeing to The threeClimate Change to analreduce emissions from year study by yse and report scientific industrialised countries Dolphin, mapped findings to 1990 levels by 2000 coral habitats and status growths in 1992
We cannot rate the country. But Qatar is extremely environmentally conscious and is engaged in a number of initiatives to support this. From our own perspective, it is important to note that the support received from the Ministry of Environment in completing the project was extremely valuable.
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The signing of a Joint Coral Conservation Management Plan between the Qatar and Abu Dhabi also illustrates their commitment to ensure the longevity of marine habitats, coral reefs and the sustainability of fish stocks - Dolphin Energy
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green organisation
And How We (Re)Act...
Cover STORY Mohammad Masoud Al Marri, Projects Director, Dohaland hands the Green organisation Award to Peter Bolton, Director- Environment and Kate Flether, Environmental specialist at UDC
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Being environmentally conscious is actually also economically beneficial. Educating people on saving water, energy and resources reduces operational costs - UDC
“The half-yearly ecological surveys here is no shortage of organisations have shown that the flora and dedicated to the environment. The fauna which inhabited the most well-known NGOs, such seabed prior to the develas the World Wildlife Fund and Hottest year recorded opment of The Pearl-Qatar Worldwatch Institute, are global to date; industrialised are returning. We now networks that have regional nations agree on the have 90 percent sea grass branches and local cells to better need to negotiate real coverage again and due to serve their respective causes. The emission cuts by 1997 the structure of the island wider the reach, the more meaningwe now have a richer, more ful the effect of these grassroots activists diverse marine life than was ever and, resultantly, more aware citizens. One of there before. In fact, the last ecological the newcomers on the scene is Circle of Blue, 1995 monitoring showed that we had two and half a non-partisan communication channel for news times more fish around the Island than on a and analysis of water issues around the nearby natural reef. A greater population and diworld. versity of marine life will help to encourage larger In recent years in Qatar, a species to the waters around the Island,” says handful of green-oriented Kate Fletcher, Environmental Awarefirms have sprouted, inness Specialist at UDC. cluding cleaning companies that abstain from harsh chemicals. 1997 Echoing similar sentiments, the winner of QTGA’s Green Organisation award, United Development Kyoto Protocol legally binds Company, instituted an Environsignatories to emission cuts ment Programme for employees at UDC (averaging 5.4 percent by 2010), and The Pearl Qatar (TPQ). and allows countries to trade “The Department runs two separate but emissions permits and estabcomplementary programmes simultaneously, the lish carbon sinks, like forests, awareness and the technical programme. Our overall to soak up emissions; the U.S. aim is the protection of the environment at The Pearlgovernment refuses to ratify the Qatar - the land, the sea and the air.
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environmental leadership
Mohammad Masoud Al Marri, Projects Director, Dohaland presents the Environmental Leadership Award to Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, Director -Marketing, QOC
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ir pollution dominated international conversa- Leadership award took advantage of a high profile tion during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as im- name. The Qatar Olympic Committee was lauded for ages of a smoggy, grey city flooded airwaves. its School Olympic Day, which promoted action through Still, the city was acknowledged for erecting green sport with the goal to inspire children to respect the buildings to host the games, including the Water Cube, planet and take action to protect it. which harnesses 90 percent of solar energy to heat its swimming pools and interior, and the LEED-certified Olympic Village that housed athletes. China set up a 2003 Ministry for Environmental Protection the same year, a necessary step for a consumption-heavy nation of factories. 2008 also saw Qatar establishing its Ministry of Environment, setting the bar for similar nations Third hottest year on record, that export hundreds of thousands of oil barrels though Europe experiences its a day. Starting with its all-green Energy City project, still at the planning board stage, the hottest summer in 500 years country is making solid steps toward environwith about 30,000 resultant mental consciousness. fatalities; researchers This year’s winner of the Environment conclude climate change has
doubled the risk of heatwave, and extreme weather costs $60 billion this year
2001 U.S. President Bush renounces Kyoto Protocol, but talks in Bonn and Marrakech push nations to go ahead
2004 Russia announces it will back Kyoto Protocol
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green product or service
And How We (Re)Act...
Cover STORY Simon Casson, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel hands the Green Product or Service to James Fanella, CEO, MEEZA and Fiona ***, Events Director, QMDI
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ed Qatar’s first green conference by here are products and services delivering a ‘paperless conferingrained in everyday use ence solution’. that leave sizeable footKyoto Protocol comes into force MEEZA developed a prints on the environment, with in February, with U.S. and China paperless conference express airmailing and shipagreeing to a “non-binding diasolution which enabled ping, topping the list within logue” on curbing emissions and the 700 delegates and the transportation industry. Europe launching its Emissions UNEP Secretariat to Excess packaging and the Trading Scheme. It is the second directly contribute to use of plastic grocery store warmest year on record, with policies and documenbags feed the factories that warming now linked to U.S. hurtation through a ‘virtual create products impossible ricanes, and the melting of Arctic environment’. to degrade. sea ice, Siberian permafrost, and Thanks to MEEZA’s In arid Qatar, limited natural the west Antactic ice sheet successful IT solution, the freshwater sources have placed use of paper was reduced by increased pressure on large-scale 86 percent for the overall event - the desalination facilities, a problem 2005 equivalent of a saving of 9,000km of paper, or sure to rear its head within a few just over 31 trees. short years. Another pressing everyday occurrence - the e-mails printed in the office, memos photocopied for meetings, and newspapers and magazines 2006 that fail to be recycled all end up as paper in a landfill. To be exact, more than 510 tonnes of paper were thrown away to Umm Al Afai landfill last year. Carbon dioxide emissions are The QTGA Green Product or Service Award recnow found to be rising faster ognised two products far overused in Qatar nowathan in the 1990s; the UK’s Stern days - air conditioning system and paper. One of Report argues the cost of coping the joint winners, LG Electronics c/o Video Home & with climate change outweigh Electronic Centre WLL, launched a smart home coolthe costs of preventing it ing solution that provides respite from the heat without degrading the environment. The other winner, Meeza (QTSP) & Qatar MICE Development Institute, coordinat-
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green retailer
Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO, HSBC presnts the awards to Venugopal, GM of Al Haya Waste Management and Dr Eman Bader, GM ebn Sina Medical
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n first look, there is nothing green about the retail industry: the material consumption, the shipping process, the individually-wrapped products, and the close to one trillion plastic bags used by eager shoppers annually, at an average of 150 bags per person. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. Even with supermarkets instituting new fees for the bags, hoping to encourage the use of canvas totes, plastic still constitutes 80 percent of the bags used at the cashier. In Qatar, it outweighs both paper and scrap iron as the most heavily discarded product at landfills. It is IPCC report blames perhaps this humankind for “abrupt field that and irreversible” climate must truly change, and estimates innovate cost of stabilising greenand rewire house gasses at $1830 its operabillion tions from within, opting for paperless solu2007 tions and cutting down on waste across the board, especially in a country with 11.5 sq ft of shopping space per person by next year. QTGA honoured two companies with the Green Retailer Award: Al Haya Waste Management & Projects WLL for its eco-friendly office waste solution and Ebn Sina Medical for its green initiatives within the healthcare industry. “The conventional plastics will remain in the environ-
ment about 400 years without any property The World Conserchanges where as vation Union finds OXO-biodegradthousands of speable plastic prodcies at risk from ucts will comclimate change, pletely degrade including the polar to soil within six bear to 18 months in the presence of oxygen and heat or sunlight,” says Venugo2008 pal, General Manager of Al Haya Waste Management and Projects WLL. Last three years we were educating the end users, manufacturers and retailers about the use of degradable plastics. Due to our initiative, about 25 percent of Qatar shopping bags and trash bags end users moved to degradable plastics, which is a significant achievement. Our target is to achieve 100 percent shift to these plastics.” Ebn Sina Medical went for a complete shift from paper to electronic order processing until the point when original invoice had to be printed. But it was a challenge for them too. “The initial high cost of electronic hardware was a challenge but it was economical on the long term. We had people resisting it at the beginning till they got used to it and now they love it. It took time for customers to accept this process of signing electronically on the screen, putting a barcode stickers on their desk, etc, but it was worth all the effort,” says Grazyna Szymanska, Customer Service & Communications Manager at Ebn Sina Medical.
The Qatari government is taking considerable steps to move to ecofriendly products and projects. There is a necessity of setting up a fund under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment to support the recycling companies and to motivate those who work in this sustainable method -Al Haya Waste Management & Projects WLL
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Substantial reduction in paper use and the reducing the use of copy machines and printers as our main objective is to move towards paperless environment -Ebn Sina Medical
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The winners of QTGA 2009
And How We (Re)Act...
Dohaland, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, another partner of the Green Awards, was launched to lead and inspire property development in Qatar, and empower the human potential to grow and flourish. The company is led by the progressive vision of Her Highness Sheikha Partners make it happen Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, The Awards were instituted by the Qatar Today magamandated to create leadzine, the flagship publication of Oryx Advertising Co. ing edge urban living W.L.L. Oryx Advertising Co. W.L.L is one of the concepts that oldest and largest publishing houses in Qabuild on traditar. tional Arabian HSBC and Dohaland partnered the Governments prepare to negotiarchitecture event, while Ras Laffan Industrial City ate a successor to the Kyoto and design. and Qatar University joined in Protocol at Copenhagen in De“ W e as the Associate Sponsors, cember, while a major study sugrecognize Doha Touchscreen Mongests humanity can emit no more that, withitors were the Official than 1 trillion tones of carbon, out a clear Electronic Media partin order to avoid temperature strategy, ner, and Four Seasons increases of 2°C or more new developwas the Official Host. ments can have “The Qatar Today Green a negative impact Awards is unique in Qatar. The through the excessive vision and mission of the awards are 2009 consumption of resources, the supporting our corporate strategy and depletion of natural assets, and the creation the partnership with Qatar Green Awards of a larger carbon footprint. Internationally, the seems like a commonsensical match. I am glad to announce that we have already committed our par- construction industry is also a contributor to the producticipation for the Qatar Today Green Awards for 2010. tion of greenhouse gases that can be harmful to our Through the awareness created by these prestigious planet. For this reason, our mandate is that DOHALAND awards we hope that the business community in Qatar projects will be built with the long-term impact on the will become more diligent in their efforts to conduct op- environment in mind,” said Imad Nached, Marketing Dierations in a sustainable and green manner,” said Rob- rector, DOHALAND. Oryx Advertising Company, Vice President, Ravi Raert D’Gama, Deputy CEO, HSBC at a press conference man said that the event was a proud testimony of the held to celebrate the success of the awards. HSBC is backed by strong environmental portfolio organizations commitment to the environment. Simon Casson, General Manager of Four Seasons with both a global and local Corporate Responsibility strategy, which includes HSBC’s Climate Partnership and Joseph Angelil, Head of Public Relation RLIC also programme. Under this partnership the Bank has com- expressed their commitment to the environment and mitted $100 million in support of various environmental thanked QTGA 2009 and Oryx Advertising Co WLL for having germinated the idea. institutions in their efforts to combat global warming. If the awards and the initiatives are anything to go by, Qatar is certainly on the right path, taking small and measured steps, but efforts nonetheless in the right direction to offset the catastrophe that is looming ahead.
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QTGA 2009 Winners & runnerS up
2nd Runner up: Qatar Scientific Club
GREEN INNOVATION AWARD
Winner: Waagner Biro Qatar WLL & Waagner Biro Gulf LLC, UAE
1ST Runner up: LG Electronics c/o Video Home & Electronic Centre WLL
ENVIRONMENTAL VISION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
Winner: Dolphin Energy
Runner up: Qatar Fuel (WOQOD)
ENVIRONMENTAL VISION IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR
Winner: Qatar International School
1ST Runner up: College of North Atlantic - Qatar
GREEN RETAILER AWARD
Joint Winner: Al Haya Waste Management & Projects W.L.L
Joint Winner: Ebn Sina Medical
GREEN ORGANISATION
Winner: United Development Company
1ST Runner Up Ras Laffan Power Company
2nd Runner up: Moevenpick Tower & Suites, Doha
BEST PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Joint Winner: Doha Bank
Joint Winner: Salam Bounian Development Company
Runner up: Qatar Fertiliser Company – QAFCO
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Winner: Qatar Olympic Committee
GREEN PRODUCT OR SERVICE AWARD
Winner: LG Electronics c/o Video Home & Electronic Centre WLL
Winner: MEEZA QSTP & Qatar MICE Development Institute
Runner up: Consolidated Gulf Co W.L.L
2nd Runner up: MES Indian School, Doha - Qatar
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Witnessing
History
And How We (Re)Act...
Cover STORY
As Qatar Airways’ first commercial flight, powered by fuel from natural gas, landed in Doha, a historical moment was made. A moment to reckon with in aviation history and a cleaner environment. Sindhu Nair talks to a passenger of this historic flight.
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The passengers of the first comercial QA flight along with the partners of the project
amad Mohammed Al Kuwari, Research Director-Energy at QSTP, who was on the pioneering ride from London Gatwick to Doha had mixed reactions, varying from apprehension to pride. He had his inhibitions but then was reminded of the consortium that worked for two years on this research. The consortium’s expertise (Airbus, Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, QSTP, Rolls-Royce, Shell and Woqod) had put him at ease during the flight. The historic journey took almost seven hours and was operated with an Airbus A340-600 aircraft that
used Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines. What was special about this flight was that it had scheduled, paying passengers on flight and according to Al Kuwari the flight was 95 percent filled to capacity. “It was no different from any other normal flight until you talked to your fellow passenger and discussed the merits of the fuel or the possible malfunctions. That did make me a bit nervous and I was on the lookout for any turbulence. But this was a smooth ride, much better than my previous flight from Argentina to London. The reason for the turbulence free ride could be the GTL Jet fuel or just the fine weather and of course the compe-
tence of the pilots, Captain Abdullah Jawahar and copilot Captain Hamad Al Mousawi.” On a personal level, Al Kuwari says that this was indeed a special moment, his most cherished, as he was part of the preparations. What makes this even more special is that this pioneering invention takes Qatar a step closer to HE The Emir’s vision of making Qatar the GTL capital of the world, according to Al Kuwari. The challenge Now that the first flight has been completed successfully, it is for the world to watch out for more such innovations that herald a ‘green era’ in the aviation history. But all of that depends on availability and logistics, Al Kuwari says. “On a global level, the challenge for more such flights to be in operation will be the availability of logistical support and GTL in much larger quantities. For Qatar Airways to be using this product more regularly, the Pearl GTL project has to be complete. The GTL Kerosene will be produced in commercial quantities by the Pearl GTL project, which is planned to be complete around the end of 2010, with ramp-up taking about 12 months. GTL Kerosene is planned to be available on a commercial basis from 2012.” The GTL Jet Fuel used for this flight was procured from Shell’s GTL facility in Malaysia. On the safety aspect, Al Kuwari says that GTL Jet Fuel, made up of 50 percent GTL Kerosene and 50 percent conventional oil-based kerosene, was fully and unconditionally approved as safe for use in civil aviation by ASTM International (originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials). This approval followed two years of separate research and discussions by the ASTM specification group. Another reason why Al Kuwari flew with lesser qualms. Research highlight QSTP (Qatar Science & Technology Park), Texas A & M University of Qatar, the University of Sheffield, Shell, Rolls-Royce and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) signed agreements to further quantify the benefits of GTL Jet Fuel. “Physical properties are critical to the performance of a fuel and the research investigated the physical properties of different blends of GTL to maximize overall fuel performance,” Al Kuwari said. The consortium working on this project offers a unique opportunity for Qatari researchers to enhance
GTL Jet Fuel Factfile What is it? GTL Jet Fuel is the name of a jet fuel that blends up to 50 percent of GTL Kerosene to 50 percent of conventional crude oil-based kerosene. Air Quality Benefits GTL Jet Fuel has lower emissions of particulates and other pollutants that affect local air quality. This is particularly significant for airports or near cities. collaborations with experts around the world. It also allows students from Qatar to get involved. This is one of the main reasons why this project is one of QSTP’s most prestigious, that will make its impact globally while being a local effort.” The crucial element of this project is that it is utilising Qatar’s resources and finding alternative uses to it. “Another factor that makes us proud is that from an environmental point of view, we are developing an important product and finding solutions that will place QSTP and Qatar on the global map. Having local researchers and engineers will be a core element that makes this project more attractive,” he added. According to Al Kuwari the impact of this announcement is yet to come but this will surely mark QSTP as a research park to be reckoned with. The environmental aspect Economics takes a back seat when it comes to environmental impact, according Al Kuwari. “It is the environmental aspect that gains important value; but at the same time part of the consortium will also be working on the cost factor and analysing how it can be made more economical.” The fuel burns with lower sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions than pure conventional oil-based kerosene, making it attractive for improving local air quality at busy airports.” The beauty of this blend that once the blend is used in a flight and the plane lands in a country which does not have GTL Jet Fuel, it can be replaced by the regular jet fuel without cleaning or other time-consuming process. “ Going back to the historic day, Al Kuwari says, “Honestly all of us in the flight were quite tensed, but it was an uneventful ride with a smooth touchdown.”
The consortium working on this project offers a unique opportunity for Qatari researchers to enhance collaborations with experts around the world.
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