Qatar setting example for others in adopting circular economy
QATAR has proven that small states can factor circular economic practices into their strategic outlook. Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Dr. Tariqullah S Khan and Khalid Ahmed al Ansari chart progress made and where there is scope to do more in the country.
Put simply, what is a circular economy, and when did it enter into public discourse?
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a circular economy (CE) is restorative or regenerative by intention and design. Driven by growing global consciousness regarding climate change and environmental degradation, CE thinking encourages fresh approaches to resource extraction, product design, and the use and reuse of finite materials. In doing so, a CE seeks to alter current linear production and consumption models based on continuous growth by increasing resource throughput and minimisation of waste and emissions.
As things stand, the linear economic cycle works to the rhythm of extract-manufacture-use-discard. The CE model attempts to disrupt this by replacing ‘discard’ with ‘back to use.’ Put another way, circular processes encourage the use of extracted resources on a near-constant basis. If that is not possible, then resources are ‘reborn’ for use in another manufacturing sector. Wastage of resources is thereby reduced or, even better, eliminated.
While the term ‘circular economy’ has only recently entered public discourse, academics and scientists have long been concerned with making better and more ethical use of natural resources.
What are the building blocks of a circular economy?
The building blocks of a circular economy rest on disrupting traditional linear processes of production and consumption and inserting the principles of cradle-to-cradle design, reuse, or recycle. CE thinking encourages innovative business models, product designs, reverse cycles and enablers, and favorable system conditions. These industrial processes are linked to ecological ideals of zero waste and zero emissions for environmental resilience. Finance, investments, and insurance are expected to respond to this new economic paradigm.
CE transition fosters continuous improvement in economic transformation. The adoption of these building blocks depends on an individual country’s context. Highly industrialised economies with global manufacturing footprints are ideally placed to propose new business models within their supply chains and networks that encourage CE transition. Conversely, countries with relatively low manufacturing bases might opt for incentives that attract circular businesses, green infrastructure, and building designs.
Have circular economy principles been factored into Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030)?
While CE thinking can be traced across all four pillars of QNV2030, it is most explicit in pillars three (sustainable development) and four (environmental development). Qatar’s efforts to transition to a CE include its carbon capture and storage plant. Commissioned by the government, the plant aims to sequester 5 million tonnes of carbon from liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities by 2025.
Can you highlight some of Qatar’s circular economy success stories?
Qatar has implemented several mega initiatives designed specifically to ensure the country’s transition to CE practices. As part of its mission to “unlock human potential,” Qatar Foundation has invested heavily in the country’s efforts to become a vision-driven knowledge economy. CE transition and sustainability are defining features of the pedagogy and research approaches developed by Education City’s various educational and scientific initiatives. These include the first Ph.D. program in Islamic Finance and Economy to focus on how CE can be applied via the financial sector.
Technologies that minimise energy and water usage are an essential feature of the QNV 2030 implementation strategy. For instance, most of Qatar’s new green buildings utilise some form of renewable energy and rely on electronic sensors to reduce water and power consumption.
Qatar Cool and Msheireb Properties have become unique global examples of the effective use of smart technology. Similarly, Qatar Airways and Qatar Petroleum have state-of-the-art fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability strategies in place. The Doha Metro, new electric buses and trams, as well as solar energy generation are essential accelerators of Qatar’s transition to a CE.
Circular economy principles also underpin Qatar’s preparations for FIFA World Cup 2022, which is designed to be a carbon-neutral event. Under the stewardship of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the country has incorporated circular practices into the development of relevant facilities. All stadiums are designed to avoid biodiversity impacts and provide detailed plans for waste management, resource leak detection systems, and other ‘smart’ initiatives.
Local materials and recycled content are also prioritised for the construction and disassembly of temporary facilities. Qatar’s green spaces also count as circular economy success stories, with Katara South and North Hills providing textbook examples of utilising infrastructure and construction debris to enhance environmental resilience, general wellbeing, and public health.
How has Qatar factored small-to-medium enterprises into its circular economic outlook?
The above examples are the result of public sector initiatives. When it comes to the private sector, Qatar has developed a range of institutions that encourage CE thinking and business practices. These include, among others, the Qatar Development Bank and Qatar Science and Technology Park. While each institution focuses on a specific industrial sector, the message is clear across the entire network. Climate and environmental changes pose a severe risk to Qatar’s social and economic development.
Where is there scope for Qatar to do more in terms of developing a circular economy?
It is encouraging that Qatar is often compared with Singapore, a country that is well on its way to becoming a fully circular economy. To expedite similar developments at home, the government might want to consider developing a CE-specific national strategy with CE legislation to match. In this respect, Singapore’s endeavors might provide food-for-thought.
It is highly proposed that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, along with other relevant ministries, work together to develop a nationwide management plan for recyclable domestic waste. Doing so will facilitate the creation of a specific circular economy, as well as an appropriate strategic and legislative framework.
Both activities should also be on the radar of companies, financial institutions, and recycling industries which, despite the nature of their business, still send a lot of redundant materials to landfill sites (such as tires) or thermal treatment facilities (as in the case of oil recycling). E-waste and plastics should also be factored into Qatar’s CE thinking.
To what extent does Qatar serve as a role model for other countries’ efforts to develop a circular economy?
From the recycling of construction waste into public spaces to the development of green buildings, and more, Qatar demonstrates that small states can factor circular economic activities into their strategic thinking. Such initiatives, in turn, benefit from an academic infrastructure that encourages teaching and research on sustainability issues. This bodes well for the country’s efforts to expand manufacturing capabilities while decreasing reliance on energy sales as the primary source of national income. A national legal CE framework and CE specific transition strategy will no doubt strengthen Qatar’s ability to achieve its vision of multidimensional development.