The European Union (EU) is working with partners in Qatar and in the wider Gulf region on the best ways to tackle global challenges together.
The cooperation between Qatar and EU will focus on the fight against climate change, a senior EU official has said.
“In this vital area of climate action, EU is aligned and working with partners in Qatar and in the wider Gulf area on the best ways to tackle global challenges together. Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the country’s long-term development strategy, has also identified environmental development as one of its four pillars and has embedded the principles of sustainability throughout its actions,” said H E Dr. Cristian Tudor, the EU Ambassador to Qatar and Kuwait, during an online event held yesterday.
“Fight against climate change is and remains European Union’s top priority. As EU delegation in the region, we will continue to talk about this with our partners as we devote more projects to this important subject and I believe EU-Qatar cooperation will focus on this topic as well,” he added.
The event titled ‘Towards climate neutrality: How is the EU Driving Global Action?’ was co-hosted by the College of Public Policy (CPP), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and the delegation of the European Union to Qatar and Kuwait.
The envoy said initiatives such as this event are yet another example of closer collaboration of Qatar and EU on climate action.
H E Dr. Cristian Tudor said the European Commission has adopted a set of initiatives ‘the Fit for 55 package’ which aims to put EU on course to meet its ambitious target of over 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and the EU has been working to launch an international methane initiative to reduce methane emission as a short term contribution to climate action.
The ambassador said, “Indeed the global methane initiative is high on Qatar’s own agenda and the country is creating its own national policy to manage greenhouse gas emissions and broader challenges of climate change. Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the country’s policy strategy which defines long term goals for the country, has identified environmental development as one of its four pillars and has embedded the principles of sustainability throughout its actions.”
He said finding solutions to the climate emergencies is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
Next month, leaders from around the world will come together to COP-26 — the United Nations climate change conference in Scotland.
“It is clear we have to act right now to create a healthy and sustainable environment for the good of the climate before it is too late. It is only through sustained efforts that we can build back cleaner, firm and more sustainable economy, one which contributes to becoming carbon neutral. The Green Deal is our roadmap for rebuilding healthy planet for all,” he said.
“There have been vast improvements in areas such as air and water quality across the EU states and dozens of harmful chemicals have been phased out and new green technologies are accelerating and can help reduce pollution and offer new business opportunities,” he added.
During the event, Cyril Loisel, Climate Expert, Directorate General for Climate Action, European Commission; Andreas Rechkemmer, Founding Director of Progress and Senior Professor, College of Public Policy, HBKU; and Dr. Damilola S Olawuyi, Associate Dean for Research, College of Law, HBKU, also shed light on the EU environmental policies and the EU Green Deal.
