The estimated value of the investments in the green projects registered in Qatar for the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification is more than half a trillion Qatari Riyals, said the Founding Chairman of Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), Dr Yousef Alhorr.
During his speech at the opening of Sustainability Summit 2017, Alhorr said the candidates for the GSAS certification include all 2022 World Cup stadiums, all railway stations, all public works projects such as schools, health centres, mosques and administrative establishments, all the facilities of Hamad International Port and the city of Lusail and the economic zones and their facilities of all kinds.
The founding chairman commended the professionalism of the different entities to create an unrivaled harmony between the requirements of urban development and the requirements of environmental sustainability.
He noted that different institutions in the country have recognized their responsibility for sustainable development.
He added that they have rapidly adopted sustainability practices in accordance with the GSAS standards, which require a minimum levels equivalent to or more than 30 percent of energy and water saving for any new building at the design stage compared to conventional buildings, which in turn will reduce carbon emissions by ancillary proportions. Alhorr showcased the efforts of GORD in lessening the impact of climate change, especially in the midst of the increasing frequency of catastrophic environmental incidents in different parts of the world, such as the earthquakes, floods, desertification and storms that have a devastating effect.
He added that in this regard GORD has established with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), the Gulf Carbon Trust (GCT), to encourage organizations and bodies to reduce their carbon footprint.
Alhorr added that in this regard, with the support of SC and Qatar National Research Fund, GORD has been able to achieve its vision to develop a break-through energy-saving air-conditioning system.
On his part, Senior Sustainability Manager FIFA Qatar 2022 Local Organizing Committee Josr Retana said Qatar has a number of massive sustainable development opportunities that it is currently positioning to capitalize on. In addition to its enormous natural gas reserves which represent the cleanest fossil fuel and an important driver in Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction globally, Qatar is also blessed with abundant solar energy resources and potential, Retana added.
