QC marks Qatar Sustainability Week with eco-friendly initiatives

Doha, Qatar witnessed Qatar Sustainability Week, with the Qatar Chamber (QC) leading a range of eco-friendly initiatives. The week commenced with a specialized seminar, a seedling-planting activity, and a shift from plastic water bottles to glass alternatives within the Chamber's premises.

QC's Acting General Manager, Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansori, opened the events by stressing that sustainability is a crucial economic and developmental requirement. He explained that sustainability is a fundamental pillar for creating a diverse, efficient economy that balances growth, natural resource preservation, and future generations' rights, as per Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al Mansori highlighted the private sector's pivotal role in sustainable economic development through responsible practices, resource rationalization, and robust governance. He reiterated the Chamber's deep commitment to sustainability as part of its social and institutional responsibilities. The Chamber promotes a culture of social responsibility through conferences, seminars, and training programs, aiming to raise awareness of international standards and encourage companies to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in their strategic practices.

The seminar at the event featured presentations from leading experts. Mr. Abdulrahman Tareq Abdulrahman of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability as a daily practice. He outlined initiatives to raise public awareness on resource conservation, waste reduction, and pollution control, and mentioned the Ministry's continuous research on sustainability standards and educational resource publication.

Dr. Ahmed Khalifa from Qatar University discussed economic and technological solutions for carbon reduction. He outlined Qatar University's five core sustainability pillars: eco-efficiency and resource monitoring on campus, integrating sustainability economics into academic programs, targeted research center initiatives, driving innovation, and fostering business community partnerships for sustainable development.

Dr. Ali Al Ibrahim from the Regional Network for Social Responsibility emphasized the role of organizations in sustainable development. He noted that the Network works to advance corporate social responsibility (CSR) across business, government, and civil society sectors, aligning its work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030). Key initiatives include the International Ambassadors for Social Responsibility Programme and the UN Commissioner Programme to promote global sustainability targets.