Submitted to the UN, Qatar’s carbon capture program protects the Emirates’ LNG exports.
Despite branding itself as an environmentally-friendly Emirate, the dubious World Cup bid demonstrates a tremor in Qatar’s overall eco-heartbeat. Qatar is also the world’s largest exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which emits almost half as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as coal, but still releases 117,000 pounds per billion btu of energy. Acknowledging that it contributes significantly to international carbon levels, Qatar submitted a carbon capture and storage plan to the United Nations.According to Gulf in the Media, the Deputy Premier and Energy Minister presented Qatar’s carbon stance at the Doha Carbon and Energy Forum.
“We have officially submitted to the UN a proposal for a new methodology that could enable carbon dioxide capture and storage in geological formations to be part of the clean development mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol,” he said.
Minister HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah added that the plan could go a long way to reducing the global emissions of greenhouse gases that are responsible for climate change. As outspoken as al-Attiyah is against emissions, the potential carbon capture scheme seems like an excellent excuse to maintain Qatar’s position as the largest exporter of LNG.
“We understand the demand that exists for clean energy and know that LNG (liquefied natural gas) is the only answer,” he said.
The Middle East is exploring various other energy options that are considerably cleaner than LNG – such as solar energy – that are also more sustainable in the long run. LNG is definitely not the only clean energy option, though it is admirable that the Emirate is pushing for rapid commercialization of technology that can improve energy efficiency and stave off carbon emissions.
More energy news from Qatar:
Energy City Qatar on Target for 2012
ecoQ Conference in Qatar (2011) for Clean Technologies
Qatar Cleantech and Environment News
image via » Zitona «
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Dear Tafline,
Thank you for the article about Qatar’s plans to the UN.
I just wanted to point out that the Ferrari Theme Park, mentioned in the beginning of the article is not located in Qatar. The park is located in Abu Dhabi, which is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Qatar, on the other hand, is a country by itself and its capital is Doha.
All the best,
Chris
Thanks Chris. You’re absolutely right.