The State of Qatar discussed its plans to combat climate change and its ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This was during its participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, has met with world leaders during the conference, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in order to discuss both this strategy and joint efforts to reduce carbon emissions on a global scale.

His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani the Minister of Environment and Climate Change delivered Qatar’s speech to the delegates at the conference (COP26), in which he spoke about the pressing urgency of addressing climate change, outlining the ambitious and realistic goals set by Qatar to curb greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors. The minister additionally reflected on what the world can learn from the past two years, and what can be achieved when the international community faces global crises together.

“With climate change being a national priority for the State of Qatar, we have set both ambitious and realistic goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors and remain committed to our goals however ambitious they may be. To that end, a dedicated ministry was established to address environmental and climate change issues, thus ensuring sustained and methodical focus on this topic and the implementation of our future plans,” noted His Excellency.

His Excellency concluded his speech by emphasising the importance of the outcomes of this conference. “It is our hope that this conference will succeed in meeting its stated objectives and taking individual and collective measures to address the risks that jeopardise the future of humanity as a result of climate change,” he said.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world will face during this century, and Qatar is committed to playing a key role in the fight against this global issue.

The State of Qatar previously hosted the COP18 conference in 2012, and this year’s delegation has been working actively throughout the conference to discuss Qatar’s ongoing approaches to climate change, including raising awareness of Qatar’s recently launched National Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

Qatar is aiming to be a regional model in fulfilling both developmental and environmental targets, with the new environmental strategy covering five key environmental spheres: greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, biodiversity, water, circular economy and waste management, and land use.