As the co-organizer of Qatar Sustainability Summit held on October 27 and 28, GORD launched Destination Green campaign – a novel initiative aimed at promoting sustainability in the region. The project was officially inaugurated with a pledge wall signed by the Minister of Municipality and Environment and other dignitaries including HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti; HE Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports; HE Dr. Saleh bin Mohammad Al Nabit, President of Planning and Statistics Authority; Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’, and Eng. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, CEO of Qatari Diar.

Trusting in the ability of public and private organizations to catalyze market-led transformation, #DestinationGreen campaign will urge businesses to report their green initiatives. Any organization – big or small – will be acknowledged as long as it has worked towards environmental conservation. A sustainable business practice can manifest itself in many forms, such as the use of supplies made from sustainable sources, enforcing single-use plastic ban, telecommuting and recycling policies. Over the years, regional and international organizations within Qatar have ventured into the sustainability realm with initiatives aimed at creating a carbon-neutral world. Putting this in context, GORD’s #DestinationGreen campaign will consolidate entities’ efforts towards the greater goal of crafting a green legacy for present and future generations.

Recognizing outstanding achievements in the field of sustainability and climate change, GORD awarded leading organizations within MENA region with the “Award for Excellence in Climate Action”. Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and Bauer Nimr LLC were conferred with the award for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction through treatment of produced water at crude oil processing facility through wetland treatment solution in Oman. The project contributes to greening of the dessert, providing potential water solutions and reducing significant greenhouse gas emissions. Within Qatar, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) received the award for project on wastewater treatment which avoids the landfill methane emissions, a potent GHG, by diverting sewage water to Doha North Plant and converting solids into dried palleted fertilizer in a sophisticated ultramodern pallet plant. The fertilizer is used for greening of Doha replacing emission intensive Urea Fertilizer. The project site produces treated water that helps greening the area by plantation of 90,000 trees and developing a bird sanctuary. Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation ‘KAHRAMAA’ was also awarded for delivering Qatar’s pioneering solar charging station for electric vehicles. This project has promising potential to transform the transportation sector towards low-carbon development. Al-Ta’adhod Trading & Construction Group received the Award of Excellence in recognition of green CSR initiatives.

A number of ‘Sustainability Awards” were given to various leading green projects within MENA region. Hamad Port Project was awarded for the exceptional implementation of GSAS among other sustainability initiatives, while the Ministry of Interior was recognized for considering sustainability as one of the key aspects in delivering several MOI projects, including National Cyber Security Center and Civil Defense & Preventive Buildings in Al Wakra. Another recipient of Sustainability Award was Qatar Rail for its outstanding 5-Stars rating of Msheireb Metro Station, managing to exceed Qatar Rail requirement of 4-Stars. Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy was awarded for extraordinary delivery of four stadiums with 5-Stars provisional certificates, exceeding FIFA’s requirement of 4-Stars. Correspondingly, multiple private sectors companies were recognized, including the Energy City Qatar Headquarter project for the successful delivery of 4-Stars GSAS Design & Build commercial project, providing solar PV panels which meets approximately 3.2% of the total buildings electrical load. Another recipient was Al Sayer Group in Kuwait where GSAS Operation Platinum certificate was issued for Toyota showroom at Abu Fatira, acknowledged as the first retail in Kuwait to receive the certificate. Within the retail sector, Lulu Group International received the Sustainability Award for demonstrating stewardship in environmental sustainability within retail sector as well as planned initiatives in areas of GSAS operations, recycling and waste management.

In a series of unprecedented activities launched at Qatar Sustainability Summit was also live scribing of the event. Offering QSS delegates a creative perspective on technical sessions, all key proceedings of the summit were simultaneously illustrated by London-based scribe artist Calum Heath. Tracing the progression of the event from day 1, Heath invested approximately 15 hours in covering the event. Among other highlights of this year’s summit was an exhibition featuring 22 exhibitors displaying sustainable products and solutions.