This week marks the sixth edition of Qatar Sustainability Week (QSW), a campaign led by the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) to promote eco-friendly practices in the community. According to the QGBC, the goal of this initiative is to get people to adopt the sustainability practices that are outlined in the Qatar Vision 2030.
As with previous editions of QSW, individuals are encouraged to join in on the week’s events, ending on 30 October 2021, and fill out a pledge form on the QGBC website. This form allows individuals to “check” a wide range of green practices to commit to, such as:
• mindfully consuming water and electricity
• taking public transport
• reducing plastic and food waste
• shopping local
One of the most popular events in the community was yesterday’s Car Free Day, where people working and living in Education City took to social media to show their day on foot, scooter, or the Education City Tram. Another initiative that has also been gaining traction in the last few days is a change.org petition by Qatar Academy Doha students calling for a ban on single-use plastics in Qatar. The petition, which was started by the school’s Grade Five students in 2019, was shared on Qatar Foundation’s official Twitter account and has gained over 7,700 signatures.
Plus, corporations are getting involved. Msheireb Properties, for example, has launched the Msheireb Green Program, which aims to promote sustainable practices in restaurants and cafes in Msheireb Downtown. These practices include moderating water and energy consumption, using eco-friendly products, and reducing waste.
To learn more about QSW 2021, visit the QGBC website and follow #QatarSustainabilityWeek on social media.