Keywords

3.1 Introduction

This chapter evaluates law and governance innovations that have been put in place in Qatar to advance sustainability and low-carbon transition. It also examines practical limitations to the coherent implementation of extant laws, and the legal framework for addressing those challenges.

Ever since the 1991 Arab Declaration on Environment and Development and Future Prospects (1991 Arab Declaration) proclaimed that all Arab countries shall respect, protect, and fulfill ‘the rights of peoples to sustainable development, as set out in the Rio Declaration,’ policy and legislative efforts to promote sustainability have been on a rapid ascendancy across the region, including in Qatar (League of Arab States, 2001, pp. 6–7). According to the Declaration, Arab countries agree to limit the degradation of the environment and natural resources and manage them ‘in a sustainable manner that ensures Arab water and food security, the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity and the control of desertification’ (League of Arab States, 2001, p. 5). Although non-binding, this Declaration provides normative guidance on how Arab countries could advance sustainability, which entails balancing and ensuring that projects and policies aimed at promoting economic development, do not result in social and environmental challenges.

Prior to 1991, Qatar had already made significant progress as one of the first few countries in the Arab region to enact laws aimed at addressing social and environmental impacts of economic development in key sectors (Olawuyi, 2022c, pp. 1–25). However, the increasing international awareness of the impacts of economic activities such as oil and gas production, infrastructure development, illegal traffic and trade in endangered plant and animal species, and transboundary movement of hazardous chemicals and wastes to developing countries, all created greater momentum on the need for sustainability focused legislative frameworks across the world, especially more so in the Arab region. Qatar, like many other Arab countries, faces a complex web of sustainability threats because of its dry and arid climate which increases vulnerability to food insecurity, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, as well as the problem of climate change which is projected to escalate and worsen pre-existing sustainability challenges across the region (Olawuyi, 2022b). Efforts to respond to the complex and multifaceted sustainability challenges facing the world have spurred the rapid development and enforcement of sustainability frameworks in Qatar.

Over the last few decades, Qatar has developed a clear, comprehensive, and committed legal order that places sustainability squarely at the heart of its rapid economic growth and development. For example, the environment pillar of the QNV 2030 expressly recognizes the need for an ‘agile and comprehensive legal system that protects all elements of the environment, responding quickly to challenges as they arise’ (General Secretariat for Development Planning, 2008, p. 36). Furthermore, Qatar emerged as one of the first countries in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and put in place very strong Nationally Determined Contributions on a low-carbon and sustainable future. Additionally, over the last years, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has issued a wide range of substantive laws and policies that cast a special spotlight on environmental protection in the country (Olawuyi, 2022c). Additionally, institutional measures have also been put in place, such as the landmark achievement of Qatar’s establishment of a National Climate Change Committee, an administrative body tasked with monitoring climate change (Olawuyi, 2022c). Qatar has also launched a National Environment and Climate Change Strategy which outlines practical steps to achieve the environment pillar of the QNV 2030 (Government of Qatar, 2021a, b). Due to these efforts, Qatar has gained increased recognition as a regional leader in efforts to address climate change and advance renewable energy technologies in the Arab world (Ataullah, 2017).

However, while the impetus and appetite for sustainability are rapidly increasing in Qatar, dynamic legal innovation is required to ensure greater coordination and coherence in the implementation of such efforts. After surveying the scope of law and governance frameworks on sustainability in Qatar, this chapter assesses the potential for greater coherence in implementation of such efforts. The rest of the chapter is structured as follows. After this introduction, Sect.  3.2 discusses the scope and contours of legal frameworks on sustainability in Qatar. Section 3.3 examines the practical challenges to the implementation of sustainability frameworks in Qatar, and then develops a case on the need for greater institutional coordination, interoperability, and holistic integration in the implementation of sustainability programs. Section 3.4 is the concluding section.

3.2 Legal Frameworks on Sustainability in Qatar

The period since 1991 has seen rapid formalization and development of sustainability laws and policies in Qatar. The scope of Qatar’s sustainability laws and policies can be understood under three broad categories: international and regional efforts (Sect. 3.2.1), domestic legislation (Sect. 3.2.2), and scholarly publications and local initiatives by organizations (Sect. 3.2.3).

3.2.1 International and Regional Efforts

The development of sustainability frameworks in Qatar flows directly from efforts by Qatar to implement the rapidly evolving international and regional frameworks that aim to integrate social and environmental considerations into economic development. Qatar has been an active player in international and regional efforts on sustainability. For example, ever since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 as one of the Rio Conventions, Qatar has progressively and proactively mainstreamed international law on climate change into its domestic strategies (Olawuyi, 2022b). In 2011, the Ministry of Environment of Qatar submitted its Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC, which expressly recognized Qatar’s commitment to contribute to ongoing global efforts to address the problem of climate change (UNFCCC, 2012). In light of this initial communication, and in order to support global climate change negotiations, Qatar, in 2012, hosted the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNCFCCC (2012). The importance of the 18th COP Conference cannot be understated, as it helped secure the future of international climate action by setting the stage for the Paris Agreement to come to fruition (United Nations, 1994). Qatar was also one of the first few countries in the Arab world to ratify the Paris Agreement, a treaty which sets a clear goal to reduce emissions and keep the rise in global temperature under 2 °C (3.6°F) and limit it to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels starting in the year 2020. Qatar ratified the Kyoto Protocol in January 2005 and the Paris Agreement in June 2017 (United Nations, 2015a, 2015b, 2015c). Furthermore, the country accepted the Doha Amendment (the second commitment round of the Kyoto Protocol) in 2020 (United Nations, 2012).

Qatar’s commitment to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement has resulted in the adoption of national plans, policies, and strategies that recognize the need to lower current levels of GHG emissions (State of Qatar, 2021). Qatar’s most recent submission, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Nationally Determined Contribution of August 2021, builds upon the 2015 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), by reflecting a balanced approach between adaptation, economic diversification, and mitigation. Qatar also sets a more ambitious targets of achieving 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), relative to its baseline scenario (Business-As-Usual, or BAU) (State of Qatar, 2021). Furthermore, Qatar has mobilized financial support for global climate action. For example, Qatar made a contribution of $100 million to support small island states and least developed countries to deal with climate change (Al Sharq Newspaper, 2021). Similarly, the Qatar Fund for Development was directed to continue mobilizing support to address climate change and promote green growth in these countries (Al Sharq Newspaper, 2021). These efforts reflect Qatar’s increasing role at the international level as a key enabler of global efforts to address sustainability threats posed by climate change.

Regionally, Qatar subscribes to a wide range of sustainability declarations and instruments in the Arab region, as outlined in Table 3.1 below. Though not legally binding, these soft law instruments lay the foundation for all Arab countries, including Qatar, to ensure the balanced implementation of economic development programs in a manner that does not result in social and environmental challenges. They also emphasize the need to integrate low-carbon emission planning into national policies, strategies and planning along with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). For example, the Pan-Arab Renewable Energy Strategy, 2030 of the League of Arab States sets a target of increasing installed renewable energy power generation capacity across the region by the year 2030. In line with this, Qatar has outlined plans to generate 20% of its electricity from solar systems by 2030 (General Secretariat for Development Planning, 2008; Government of Qatar, 2011a). In line with the 2016–2020 development plan, Qatar has set a $30 billion infrastructure investment plan, which includes the design and delivery of more than 700 legacy projects over the next five to seven years in solar energy, technology, and other crosscutting infrastructure projects (Olawuyi, 2018a). A number of solar projects are already under construction in Qatar, including a 200 megawatt solar farm project that will consist of approximately 800,000 square meters of photovoltaic (PV) panels (Olawuyi, 2018a).

Table 3.1 Key declarations and instruments relating to climate change by regional bodies in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region (Olawuyi, 2022a)
Full size table

Qatar is aware that it cannot achieve these goals alone. In addition to its participation in regional soft law instruments, Qatar has also taken a leadership role on sustainability in the region by hosting key regional meetings and conferences on sustainability (Meltzer et al., 2014).

3.2.2 Domestic Legislation

In addition to international and regional efforts, Qatar’s domestic laws include comprehensive provisions on environment and sustainable development.

3.2.2.1 Qatar’s Constitution

Qatar is one of the countries in the world with a clear constitutional provision on environmental protection. Article 33 of Qatar’s Constitution of 2003 provides that the state ‘endeavours to protect the environment and its natural balance, to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for all generations’ (Olawuyi, 2018b, p. 487). Thus, not only is the protection of the environment expressly stated in the highest legal source of the nation, but in particular, goes beyond to emphasize protection of the natural balance, such as the ecosystem and its biodiversity, while tying that into comprehensive, meaning considering broadly the impacts of, sustainable development on future generations.

Furthermore, as noted by the Constitution, Qatar’s principal source of law is Shariah law, as Islam is the primary religion of the country. Therefore, Qatar, as a state upholding Islamic principles, through Shariah law, emphasizes that humankind is a mere steward or trustee (khalifa) of the earth and not a proprietor nor a disposer or one who ordains; and that all Muslims have the solemn duty to maintain and preserve the natural environment from disequilibrium or damage (IUCN, 1983). Some innovative ways that the protection of the environment has been addressed legally is through this idea of trusteeship. For example, the khalifa is responsible for governing resources for the benefit of future generations (Olawuyi, 2022c). Closely related to this idea of khalifa, is the principle of waqf, which essentially reinforces the fiduciary duty of the khalifa, with regard to trusteeship over natural resources, insofar as the beneficiaries, such as civil society, can ask the khalifa to fulfill the duty of care in terms of environmental matters. This khalifa principle provides a faith-based imperative and foundation on the need for clear and coherent efforts to advance sustainability and resource conservation in Qatar. Similarly, the idea of waqf can be used as a tool for green finance (Idllalène, 2022). These initiatives from a faith-based perspective mirror some of the efforts under the United Nations ‘Faith for Earth Initiatives’ frameworks (UN Environmental Programme, 2019a). New models of green financing have been introduced to assist in the modernization of waqf and zakat, or almsgiving in Qatar, in particular, based on these fundamental Islamic principles (Aassouli, 2022).

3.2.2.2 Primary Legislation

Qatar’s Law No. 30 of 2002 on Environmental Protection outlines general provisions for the protection of the environment, including ensuring environmental quality, avoiding pollution and damage from development projects, protection of the public health in addition to the local flora and fauna, and lastly provides for environmental awareness under Article 7 (Government of Qatar, 2022a). Pursuant to this law, the main authority in charge of environmental matters is the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which oversees regulations and restrictions maintaining the environment, and implementing conditions and criteria for the protection of the environment. One article of note is Article 6, which states that all public and private bodies must include an environmental protection and pollution control clause in local and international agreements and contracts which may be detrimental to the environment, and these agreements and contracts shall include applicable penalties and the obligation to bear the costs of repairing the environmental degradation and harm. According to Article 8, the Ministry oversees all approvals, control, and supervision of private and public development projects, including setting standards and measures related to environmental impact assessment of projects, and the procedures and requirements for issuing authorizations. Furthermore, Article 34 states that anybody working in the exploration, extraction, production, and refining of oil must comply with the executive bylaw for this law and other applicable best practices. Moreover, in Part 2, there is the legislation that establishes the basis for the governmental authorities to penalize and sanction all forms of air pollution, i.e., any chemical, physical, or biological change or modification of the natural characteristics of the atmosphere, in proportions that could be harmful to human life and nature, including contributions to climate change.

3.2.2.3 Secondary Legislation

In addition to primary legislation that aim to enhance balanced social, environmental, and economic development, Qatar has put in place a wide range of regulations, action plans, directives, and national vision that address various aspects of sustainability. For example, while the social development pillar of the QNV 2030 aims to promote the development of a just society based on rule of law and active engagement of citizens in public life, the economic development pillar focuses on promoting economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and a high standard of living for current and future generation of the people of Qatar (General Secretariat for Development Planning, 2008, pp. 3, 8–9, 24). Furthermore, the environmental pillar emphasizes the management of the environment to ensure harmony between economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. In order to balance these needs, the QNV expresses Qatar’s aim to achieve ‘a diversified economy that gradually reduces its dependence on hydrocarbon industries’ by the year 2030 (Government of Qatar, 2011a, p. 11). The environment pillar also identifies ‘the need for an agile and comprehensive legal system that protects all elements of the environment, responding quickly to challenges as they arise’ (General Secretariat for Development Planning, 2008; Government of Qatar, 2011a). Evidently, Qatar has recognized the need for integrated economic development, built on an entrepreneurial, low-carbon, and green economy.

Similarly, the Executive By-Law for the Environment Protection Law contains elaborate provisions on the reduction of all sources of air pollution, especially the emission of several GHGs that cause climate change (Government of Qatar, 2002). For example, Article 65 states the requirements that any party working in the oil sector must comply with the procedures determined by this bylaw, such as (i) installing the separation and flaring systems required to produce and transport petroleum products; (ii) taking the required measures to avoid leaks of gas during drilling tests; managing storage tanks emissions according to international standards; (iii) using of compressed air in instruments tools instead of natural gas whenever is possible; and iv) getting rid of associated gas that cannot be utilized, in a safe manner according to the international standards (Government of Qatar, 2002). The regulatory focus on flare minimization is yielding results as Qatar has recorded significant reductions in levels of gas flaring and methane emissions (Bawazir et al., 2014).

In addition to the Executive By-Law, Qatar’s Resolution of the Council of Ministers also establishes a Committee on Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) that plays similar roles in laying down strategies, policies, and communications on climate change in the country (Government of Qatar, 2011b). Furthermore, it outlines ways to ensure that governmental and non-governmental organizations in Qatar implement the provisions of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol and provides the means to prepare studies and reports accordingly for the creation of databases, national assessments, reviews, and evaluations (Government of Qatar, 2011b).

Similarly, in 2017, the Government of Qatar established the National Committee on Climate Change which is responsible for monitoring the progress on climate change, as well as approving low-carbon projects that can lead to the reduction of GHG emissions. Moreover, in 2021, the National Environmental and Climate Strategy was launched in Qatar, which aims to achieve a target of 25% reductions in GHGs by the end of 2030. The National Strategy includes national projects which adopt tangible measures to reduce GHGs, including: (i) the largest carbon capture project in the MENA region; (ii) improving the efficiency of the hydrocarbon toxicity treatment; (iii) the Tarsheed program (National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency) which conserves electricity and water consumption, including initiatives by Kahramaa, the national water authority, to reduce the loss of desalinated water and to encourage water recycling and reuse; and iv) the building of the Al Kharsaah solar power station with a capacity of 800 MW (FIFA 2022; QNA, 2021a). Not only are there initiatives within Qatar, but Qatar is playing a pivotal role in supporting the developing countries’ fight against the impact of climate change, including donations of $100 million for small island states and least developed states to deal with the impact of climate change and natural hazards (QNA, 2021a). The government’s role encouraged other institutions to get on board, such as the Qatar Investment Authority, with its One Planet Sovereign Wealth Initiative (Qatar Investment Authority, 2022).

In terms of integrating environmental considerations into investments, the Qatar Investment Authority is a founding member of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Working Group, which aims to integrate climate change analysis and environmental considerations into investment decisions (One Planet, 2019). Through this commitment, Qatar has shown increased commitment to allocate its SWF investments to ‘finance the smooth transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy’ as envisaged by the Working Group (One Planet, 2019). By integrating climate change considerations into the design, financing, and implementation of SWF investments, Qatar aims to leverage savings from the extractive industries to invest in assets and projects worldwide that contribute to decarbonization and sustainable development (Olawuyi, 2020a).

In October 2017, Qatar also launched the initiative to establish the Global Drylands Alliance (GDA), announced by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Amir of the State of Qatar at the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), 17 September, 2013. The GDA is one of the international mechanisms aimed at confronting the broad consequences of climate change, such as food security and dryland ecosystems (Global Dryland Alliance, 2022aa). The GDA implements research and development programs, including technological innovation, and strives to improve members’ food security policies and planning ecosystems (Global Dryland Alliance, 2022b).

The establishment of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in 2021, also underscores the increasing focus and emphasis on environmental sustainability in Qatar (QNA, 2021b). The target of 25% emission reduction by 2030 means that each sector must take action and integrate their efforts together to reduce and encourage efficiency. Reducing food waste is also included in the country’s National Food Security Strategy 2018–2022 (see Chap. 12). Consequently, Qatar has established a household solid waste treatment center in Mesaieed, which is the first integrated solid waste treatment facility in the Middle East (QNA, 2021b). In 2020, the center produced more than 30,000 tons of organic fertilizer, and generated about 269,000 megawatts/hour of electrical energy, and more than 33 million cubic meters of biogas, in addition to treating more than 30,000 tons of car tires in each of the Umm al-Afaei landfill and Rawdat Rashed landfill, and recycling about 420,000 tons of construction waste (QNA, 2021b; see Chap. 16).

3.2.3 Scholarly Publications and Local Initiatives by Organizations

In addition to primary sources of law, such as the constitution, acts and codes, and international treaties, the development of sustainability law and policy in Qatar is highly influenced by secondary sources of law, such as scholarly publications, reports, and local community awareness spearheaded by local non-governmental organizations. While such community-led efforts are legally non-binding, they provide strong influence for the increasing local awareness on sustainability in Qatar. For example, the Arab Youth Climate Movement (AYCM) has emerged as one of the largest youth-led climate education, capacity development, and advocacy groups in the MENA region with branches in more than 15 countries, including Qatar. Similarly, the Qatar Green Building Council provides important reports, information, and best practices that support informed policy making on low-carbon, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable practices in building design and construction. As a result of this and other similar efforts, Qatar ranked second in terms of the number of green and environment-friendly buildings in the MENA region, with 1,406 sustainability certified buildings with Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) green building standards (Ataullah, 2021). Similarly, the National Museum of Qatar recently became the first national museum in the world to have received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold and a 4 Star GSAS sustainability rating (Qatar Museums Authority, 2021). Ahead of the FIFA World Cup™ 2022, a wide range of initiatives have been launched by the Government of Qatar, as well as sustainability institutes such as the Josoor Institute, which aim to deliver a carbon–neutral tournament (see Chap. 4). Increased government funding for research, especially through the Qatar National Research Fund, has also fostered scientific cooperation and research on sustainability. For example, in 2018, the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU) was established at a conference hosted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University to serve as a professional network for all MENA environmental law academics (Mrema & Smagadi, 2022). ASSELLMU has since been at the forefront of creating awareness on sustainability in Qatar and across the region (ASSELLMU 2019).

The wide range of law and governance efforts ongoing in Qatar which aim to accelerate energy transition, waste management, economic diversification, and green growth in key sectors, reflect Qatar’s important role as a regional leader and hub for sustainability in the Arab world. However, to effectively achieve the wide range of ambitious sustainability targets stipulated in different laws and policies, there is a need to address gaps that may hinder coherent implementation of the various sustainability programs. The next section explores key legal issues and gaps that must be addressed in order to advance law and governance frameworks on sustainability in Qatar.

3.3 Advancing the Coherent Implementation of Sustainability Policies and Programs in Qatar: The Need for an Integrated Approach

Given the rapid profusion of sustainability policies and laws in Qatar, dynamic legal innovation is required to continually enhance their coordinated and coherent implementation. First, the rapidly increasing volume of ongoing programs and initiatives, as well as the number of administrative and governance bodies with supervisory functions in economic, social, and environment spheres can result in implementation challenges if not holistically monitored. In addition to the challenges of coordinating the diverse functions and mandates of the various bodies, there has also been a tendency to implement sectoral and piecemeal responses in various sectors (Olawuyi, 2020b). This raises the need to promote greater coordination among the various agencies and ministries in order to enhance greater cooperation, interoperability, and resource sharing in the implementation of sustainability programs. Over the last several years, a nexus governance approach has been offered as a solution to this problem (Olawuyi, 2022b; Salam et al., 2017). The nexus governance approach allows policymakers to have a systemic understanding and view of the trade-offs and synergies between the various sustainability programs and implementing bodies to avoid overlapping and duplicative sector-specific actions and programs (Olawuyi, 2022b; Salam et al., 2017). The interconnections between the SDGs underscore the need for a nexus approach to ensure the delivery of sustainability efforts in a coherent and integrated manner. An integrative governance framework will provide appropriate incentives such as linked and coordinated regulation, structural integration of expertise, knowledge, and information, as well as holistic programming by actors in diverse domains that can help move toward successful transformation (Olawuyi, 2022b; Salam et al., 2017).

Second, with increased spending on sustainability initiatives in Qatar comes the question of how such programs are to be evaluated and measured to ensure real and measurable progress. To ensure the coherent and integrated implementation of sustainability programs at all levels of government, a number of countries, such as Hungary, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom among others have established focal institutions that will evaluate, monitor, and assess the performance of government departments and agencies against sustainability targets and threshold (Szabó and Cordonier Segger, 2021). For example, Hungary established the position of Ombudsman for Future Generations in 2008, with the responsibility to evaluate and measure how all government agencies and bodies are implementing sustainability programs (Szabó and Cordonier Segger, 2021; Olawuyi, 2021). Similarly, Canada established the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, an independent unit, housed within the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, which oversees, reviews, and appraises sustainable development programs across all government departments (Government of Canada, 2022). The Commissioner supports the work of government ministries and assists them in harmonizing their working methods and reporting requirements on sustainable development. Appointing an Ombudsperson or establishing a coordination agency or committee to spearhead and evaluate the implementation of sustainability programs in Qatar can further enable important stakeholders in key sectors to cooperatively explore co-benefits in the design and delivery of sustainability programs thereby reducing program or role duplication and enhancing overall effectiveness. Such a coordinating entity can also spearhead sustainability training and education to deepen the capacity of officials and stakeholders to implement sustainability programs.

Similar to the need for institutional coherence is the need for greater data and information sharing on sustainability programs. For example, in order to address gaps in data sharing and limited access to statistical information on the impact of sustainability programs, the Arab Strategy for Housing and Sustainable Urban Development 2030 calls on all Arab countries to develop regional observatory systems for sharing information on housing and urban development. It also encourages integrated approaches that promote interoperability, exchange of expertise as well as ‘capacity building and human development in the field of housing, and urban development at the local, national and regional levels’ (League of Arab States, 2016). Sustainability programs in Qatar can be enhanced when clear and accessible statistical information on the scope of ongoing programs are made readily available in publicly accessible platforms. Not only will such information dissemination allow members of the public to measure progress, but it will also enhance information access and planning in various entities and institutions, including private sector institutions that rely on such sustainability information for resource planning and investment analyses.

The rapid ascendancy of sustainability law and policy in Qatar has also placed greater emphasis on the need for business enterprises and private actors to integrate sustainability into their operations and value chains. For example, QatarEnergy (formerly Qatar Petroleum) has played a leading role in this regard through its sustainability reports that show efforts to align its operations, procurements, and programs with all of the SDGs (Qatar Energy, 2022). Similarly, Qatar Foundation has increasingly promoted sustainability initiatives, such as its Car Free Day program, among others (see Chap. 5). There is a need for other stakeholders in private and public sectors to further develop similar programs, including green procurements, sustainability screening and due diligence, research and development as well as public awareness drives. There is a strong business case, in terms of cost, reputation, and effectiveness, for doing so. Not only will such efforts increase the corporate and ethical responsibility of business enterprises, but they could also significantly help enterprises to minimize, anticipate, and mitigate legal risks that may result from the adverse impacts of their operations and projects on Qatar’s short- and long-term sustainability.

3.4 Conclusion

Qatar has made significant progress in placing sustainability at the heart of economic, social, and investment decision-making. Through active international and regional engagement, as well as the enactment of domestic legislation, policies, and programs on sustainability, Qatar has set the right tone with innovative national targets and action plans that align themselves with mainstream international efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

However, while Qatar has increasingly developed greater capacity for coherent coordination of sustainability programs and responses; there remains still a great deal of fragmentation between social, environment, and economic actors. A clear and comprehensive integration of sustainability programs across diverse sectors can be enhanced through a nexus governance approach. Furthermore, it is necessary to coordinate training and promote the cooperation in the delivery of sustainability projects and programs, particularly in terms of sharing best practices, so that barriers to information sharing and knowledge exchange can be removed for a more interconnected and open system among ministries and various agencies. Likewise, increased financing for research and sustainability networks can significantly cement Qatar’s growing reputation as a regional hub for sustainability innovations.

As clear sustainability legislation and rules continue to emerge in Qatar, business enterprises, investors, lenders, insurance companies, and lawyers can reduce legal liability and risks arising from the direct and indirect impacts of their activities by also integrating sustainability considerations into business decision-making processes and planning.