(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Sanaullah Ataullah | The Peninsula
Qatar has emerged as regional leader in addressing climate change, said Dr Damilola S Olawuyi, Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University's (HBKU) Law School.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Olawuyi said that Qatar is one of the regional leaders when it comes to signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change that enshrines international commitment on limiting the impact of global climate change. He said that government of Qatar has demonstrated commendable effort and commitment in rationalising the use of water and electricity to reduce the carbon emission.
Damilola S Olawuyi is also Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Qatar's National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) helped reduce 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
Tarsheed has also helped in implementing the rules for green air-conditioned and plans are afoot to bring other home appliances under the preview of Tarsheed law. Another plan is to make 10 percent of total cars in country hybrid and electric.
Olawuyi said that these are robust and pathbreaking efforts, and that if this momentum is sustained, then the country will be a regional leader when it comes to limiting greenhouse gas emissions and achieving energy efficiency. On the achievements of Qatar on cutting carbon emission, Olawuyi said that the biggest achievement for Qatar is that it is one of the first few countries in this region to sign the Paris Agreement.
'Furthermore, Qatar emerged as one of the first few countries in the region to ratify the Agreement and also put in place a very strong Intended Nationally Determined Contributions on a low carbon future. This is a landmark achievement and great regional leadership for Qatar, he added.
He said that another key achievement is the fact that Qatar established a national climate change committee, an administrative committee on environment that is tasked with monitoring climate change. 'However, one of the key issues the country would have to look very closely is monitoring the compliance by the companies, said Olawuyi.
He said that the companies should reduce the greenhouse gases and contribute to the country's vision of reducing greenhouse gases and achieving energy efficiency. 'An emission limiting policy should be adopted by all stockholders in the industry. It has been always problem not peculiar for Qatar alone.
He said that Canada has been able to put in place very strong energy policy for monitoring high emitting companies. 'One of the most important things the country needs to look very closely is renewable energy. Qatar has a lot of comparative advantages like solar power, bio-fuel and electric cars; these advantages can drive strategic investments.
'What needed to be done now is to intensify renewable energy investments and introduce a solid renewable energy policy because without having a clear and comprehensive renewable energy law and policy it will be difficult to monitor progress.
He said that there are countries that have renewable energy law in place like Germany and Canada, in the region Kuwait also put in place renewable energy policy. 'Such laws make it mandatory for the companies to take for example 40 percent of total electricity consumption from renewable energy.
In short term, he said, it looks expensive but in long term it is not, because when the infrastructure is there it becomes cheap. 'Also do not forget that whole idea is to reduce pollution and ensure achieve development that compatible for environment.
He said that renewable energy has environmental and economic advantages and it has economical diversification advantages. 'It brings more jobs opening another sector.
He said that a number of countries have shown the commitments. 'Many oil producing countries, the members of Opec set up renewable energy departments.
'Law solidifies the vision. When companies realise there is a law then they adjust themselves accordingly. Therefore I think there is a need for a clear legal framework on renewable energy.
'I have just published a book chapter on renewable energy in Qatar and Middle East on how to invest in clean energy, he said
'My research in this area, together with members of the academic advisory group that has been established by the International Bar Association to conduct research in this area, emphasizes climate change as an opportunity, and not just a threat.
We meet regularly at the international level to discuss how to assist countries to achieve strategic renewable energy diversification. So I look forward to sharing my ideas and expertise with those interested in learning more, he added.
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