Earthna joins discussions at COP27

Qatar Foundation (QF) representatives led and participated in a number of environment-focused sessions during this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) at the Qatar Pavilion, hosted by the Ministry for Environment and Climate Change (MoECC).

During COP27, which is taking place from November 6-18 in Sharm el-Sheikh, speakers from QF entities including the Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future (Earthna), the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (Qeeri), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq), led and participated in discussions on a variety of topics such as sustainability in Qatar, mechanisms for multi-sectoral collaboration, the role of youth in climate change negotiations, aiding decarbonisation, the impact of climate change on groundwater quality, and how to develop circular economies in the tourism industry.

“Combating and adapting to climate change is at the forefront of both Qatar’s and the QF’s priorities, and organisations are working together to support the country’s ambitions,” said Earthna executive director Dr Gonzalo Castro de la Mata. “Earthna is delighted to have had the opportunity to represent the QF, alongside our colleagues from the HBKU, Qeeri and Tamuq on the Qatar Pavilion at perhaps the most important global climate change event this year.”

“Over the past week, by coming together with experts from Qatar and beyond to exchange knowledge during sessions and discussions, we have been able to learn from each other and progress our understanding of what is arguably the most pressing challenge the world is currently facing,” he said.

At a session held in the Qatar Pavilion, Earthna, in cooperation with the Economist Impact, launched the Pathways to Circular Tourism in the Middle East report, which examines challenges and solutions related to accelerating tourism in a sustainable way within the region, and highlights the need to adopt a circular economy within the industry.

Meshal M al-Shamari, senior director of strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement at Earthna, led the session alongside Phillip Cornell, principal energy and sustainability at Economist Impact.

Reflecting on the report, al-Shamari said: “This report, and its findings, are an important step in understanding and alleviating the environmental impact of tourism within the region.”

“A circular tourism economy will provide a framework for sustainable growth by bringing together stakeholders from across the industry to implement lasting change, driven by a focus on behaviour change, recycling and regenerating resources and reducing waste,” he said.