Since the 1960s, the Gulf region has been known as the world’s fuel reservoir. Providing a green environment without compromising the country’s income from hydrocarbon wealth is a long-term goal that Gulf countries strive to achieve through various reform measures in production, storage, and waste disposal. Moreover, the environmental life in Qatar is highly diverse for those who appreciate the country’s environmental assets, including animals, birds, fish, trees, and plants, which have been affected by urban expansion.
Therefore, concern for environmental health has been a priority for Qatar since the 1990s, reinforced by numerous decrees culminating in the declaration of February 26 as Environment Day in Qatar.
Early on, Qatar issued Law No. 30 of 2002 on Environmental Protection, which contains 75 articles spread across five chapters dedicated to protecting the Qatari environment. Article 2 clearly and detailedly outlines the objectives of this law, including “protecting the environment, maintaining its quality and natural balance, combating various forms of pollution, and avoiding any immediate or long-term negative impacts that may result from economic, agricultural, industrial, urban, or other development plans and programs aimed at improving the quality of life.”
The law also focuses on achieving comprehensive environmental protection and maintaining its quality and natural balance by “promoting environmental awareness and pollution control principles, developing and conserving natural resources, optimizing their use for the benefit of present and future generations, and protecting the community and the health of humans and other living organisms from all environmentally harmful activities or those that hinder the legitimate use of the environment. It also aims to protect the environment from the harmful effects of activities conducted outside the state.”
In line with this goal, the Qatar National Vision 2030 document was launched in 2008, aiming for long-term planning to achieve economic and social progress simultaneously. The vision aims to build a vibrant, just, and sustainable society that establishes a balance between the environment and humans by wisely using resources and investing in infrastructure development and improving education and healthcare.
This vision focuses on four pillars: human development, social development, economic development, and environmental development. One of the main challenges this vision must overcome is balancing tradition and modernity within sustainable plans that meet the current generation’s needs while preserving the rights of future generations. It also aims to achieve rapid economic progress without straining the economy and the environment, with a vision that balances developmental needs and natural resource protection, focusing on modern technology.
The environmental development pillar enhances public awareness of the importance of preserving the environment by establishing a flexible and comprehensive legislative system for its protection, building effective environmental institutions that use the latest technologies, supporting international efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, and formulating a comprehensive plan for urban expansion and population distribution. It also encourages regional cooperation to adopt preventive standards to reduce pollution and play a prominent regional role in assessing and mitigating the effects of climate change, supporting international efforts in this regard.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries issued the Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Their Natural Habitats, which laid down general policies for environmental protection. The convention highlighted the importance of their shared destiny and common goals that unite their peoples, striving for continuous cooperation and integration in all fields. It also recognized the significance of wildlife in rural prosperity and economic development, emphasizing the awareness of threats resulting from the improper exploitation of human activities.
Environmental Pollution
Industrial waste has negatively impacted wildlife, as the expansion of oil and liquefied gas production has devastating environmental consequences. Qatar has suffered from these effects on multiple levels. Pollution has threatened birds and other animals with extinction, and entire species of sea turtles have disappeared. Additionally, there has been a rise in respiratory diseases and cancers due to pollution, which has sounded alarms in Qatar, prompting the country to legislate a series of measures to reduce pollution and establish regulations for a healthy environmental life.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s website notes that “after the global regulatory and legislative authority included endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the hawksbill sea turtle was listed as an endangered species in 1982. Qatar began efforts to protect the hawksbill sea turtles early on by announcing the Hawksbill Sea Turtle Protection Project in 2003.”
The ministry highlighted the methods used in the project to protect this type of turtle on the northern coasts and islands of the country, including relocating their nests to protect them from the high sea tides, monitoring the temperature of these nests, placing tracking devices on some turtles to monitor their living areas within the country and neighboring countries, and collecting DNA samples for study and analysis.
In addition to protecting turtles, the state has taken similar actions to protect endangered animals such as antelopes, rabbits, and rare sea snakes through special reserves that provide them with suitable environments. Furthermore, a variety of herbs with nutritional and medicinal benefits have been cataloged, classified, and studied by responsible authorities. Many elderly Qataris still remember the herbalists in Souq Waqif and their effective remedies, some of which are derived from the bark of desert trees near villages such as Al-Karaana, Rawdat Al-Faras, and Umm Al-Afai.
Oil and Gas: The World’s Energy Sources and the Gulf Region’s Main Income
Oil and natural gas are among the most important energy sources in the world, playing a vital role in the global economy. Oil has been a primary energy source since its discovery in the 19th century, while natural gas has gained importance in recent decades due to its high efficiency and lesser environmental impact compared to oil.
Oil is used in a wide range of applications, from being a source of energy to manufacturing petrochemical products such as plastics and synthetic rubber. Crude oil is refined to produce fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which are essential for transportation and industry.
Natural gas is mainly used for electricity generation and heating, as well as a raw material in chemical industries.
The Arabian Gulf region is one of the richest areas in the world in terms of oil and natural gas. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar possess vast reserves of these resources, making them key players in the global energy market. These countries heavily rely on exporting oil and gas as a primary source of income.
Revenue from oil exports in the Gulf region provides necessary funding for infrastructure, education, health, and other public services. It also finances ambitious development plans aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on oil.
Natural gas plays an increasingly important role in Qatar’s economy, which is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Revenue from gas exports funds major development projects and achieves economic stability.
There is a growing global trend towards renewable, alternative, and sustainable energy sources due to environmental concerns and climate change. This has prompted Gulf countries to consider new strategies for diversifying their economies and investing in new energy sources.
Despite the importance of oil and natural gas, they have negative environmental impacts that raise concerns both locally and globally. These impacts include environmental pollution, climate changes, ecosystem degradation, and harm to human health.
The use of oil and natural gas as energy sources results in significant emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. These gases contribute mainly to global warming and climate change. Additionally, burning oil products like gasoline and diesel produces nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, leading to smog formation and acid rain.
Oil and natural gas extraction processes pose significant risks of water pollution. Oil spills from offshore wells and pipelines can cause major contamination of oceans and seas, leading to the destruction of marine life and coastal pollution. The water used in hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas may contain toxic chemicals that can seep into and contaminate groundwater.
On land, oil and natural gas extraction leaves substantial impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Oil spills can contaminate soil, negatively affecting agriculture and destroying the natural habitats of some organisms, causing a disruption in biodiversity and ecological balance.
In terms of health, pollutants from burning oil and natural gas result in polluted air inhalation, which can cause respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis and increase the risk of heart diseases. Additionally, chemicals used in natural gas extraction can have serious health effects if they leak into groundwater.
Gas emissions from burning oil and natural gas are the primary cause of global climate change. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere lead to a rise in the planet’s average temperature, causing polar ice melt, sea-level rise, widespread flooding, and changes in weather patterns.
Global Shift Toward Alternative Energy
The world is witnessing a significant shift toward renewable and sustainable alternative energy, driven by increased environmental awareness and the urgent need to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This shift is not merely an environmental choice but an economic and social necessity to ensure a sustainable future for coming generations.
One of the most prominent alternatives is solar energy, which is renewable. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, and this technology is rapidly evolving in terms of efficiency and cost. Solar systems can be installed on building rooftops or in large fields, making them a flexible option suitable for various environments.
Wind energy is another major source of renewable energy, using wind turbines to convert wind movement into electricity. This technology can generate large amounts of energy, especially in areas with strong and consistent winds. European countries like Denmark and Germany are leaders in wind energy utilization.
Hydropower harnesses the flow of water to generate electricity, including hydropower plants that use dams and reservoirs. Hydropower is one of the most sustainable energy sources but requires specific natural environments for construction and operation.
Geothermal energy utilizes the Earth’s internal heat to generate electricity and provide heating. This technology is stable and reliable and is used in regions like Iceland and the United States, where significant geothermal activities are present.
Biomass energy, derived from processing agricultural waste and wood, can also be harnessed to generate energy. This technology helps reduce waste and produce clean energy, but it requires sustainable management of natural resources to avoid environmental harm.
Renewable energy is often locally available, reducing the need to import fossil fuels and enhancing energy security for countries while reducing economic dependence on foreign sources.
Additionally, investing in renewable energy projects creates new job opportunities in areas such as manufacturing, installing, and maintaining solar and wind systems, thus boosting economic growth.
Although the costs of renewable energy have significantly decreased in recent years, the initial costs of installation and construction still pose a challenge. Therefore, countries need supportive policies such as financial incentives and tax reductions to encourage investment in this sector.
The Gulf’s Understanding of the Problem
The Gulf countries are witnessing a significant shift toward investing in renewable and sustainable alternative energy sources.
This shift is part of efforts to reduce dependence on oil and gas and address global environmental and economic challenges. The Gulf countries are heavily investing in solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, geothermal energy, and other renewable energy sources.
The United Arab Emirates is a leader in solar energy investment in the region. The Noor Abu Dhabi solar project is one of the largest in the world, producing about 1.2 gigawatts of electricity. Additionally, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai aims to achieve a production capacity of 5 gigawatts by 2030, as part of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Saudi Arabia launched the Sakaka solar power project as part of Vision 2030, aiming to generate 300 megawatts of solar energy. Saudi Arabia also plans to generate 40 gigawatts of solar energy by 2030.
Saudi Arabia is also investing in wind energy through the Dumat Al Jandal project in the Al Jouf region, the first of its kind in the kingdom, with a production capacity of 400 megawatts.
The UAE is investing in nuclear energy through the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant project, which aims to generate 5.6 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to about 25% of the country’s electricity needs.
Oman is exploring geothermal energy potentials as part of its renewable energy strategy. Initial exploration projects indicate significant potential for generating electricity from these sources, especially in mountainous areas.
Kuwait is working on developing biomass energy projects using organic waste. The Shuwaikh project aims to convert solid waste into electrical energy, helping to reduce waste and generate clean energy.
The Future of Oil and Natural Gas
Oil and natural gas constitute a vital part of the global energy landscape. However, each faces a somewhat different future due to changes in economic dynamics, environmental policies, and technological developments. While oil continues to play a pivotal role in the global economy, there is an increasing focus on natural gas as a cleaner and more efficient alternative.
There are growing pressures to reduce carbon emissions, prompting countries worldwide to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, including oil. International agreements such as the Paris Agreement impose stringent carbon emission limits, encouraging the shift towards cleaner energy sources.
This has significantly impacted oil markets, which experience severe price fluctuations due to geopolitical and economic factors. These fluctuations affect the stability of economies heavily reliant on oil exports. Furthermore, modern technologies such as hydraulic fracturing and enhanced extraction face technical and environmental challenges, limiting production growth.
Nonetheless, oil remains not only an energy source but also a raw material for chemical and plastic industries, ensuring continued demand in various fields.
On the other hand, natural gas is relatively cleaner compared to oil, and thus it is expected to play an increasingly important role in the global energy mix. It produces fewer carbon emissions compared to oil and coal, making it a preferred choice in the transition to clean energy. Additionally, using natural gas for electricity generation can serve as an intermediate solution between fossil fuels and renewable energy.
The development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology has made its transport and distribution easier on a large scale, opening new markets and increasing supply flexibility.
Natural gas also provides the possibility of supporting renewable energy by offering reliable power when the sun is not sufficiently available, or the wind is not blowing adequately, contributing to the stability of electricity grids.
Despite the advantages of natural gas, the continuous decline in the cost of solar and wind energy intensifies competition. With the rapid advancement in battery and energy storage technologies, reliance on natural gas could decrease.
Challenges are numerous, and Qatar still has a long way to go to achieve its goal of a green environment. I believe there are many untapped methods yet to be utilized.
