Ashghal’ continues exerting significant efforts to incorporate sustainability in its strategic plan
28 Feb 2024
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As part of its commitment to play a key role in the realisation of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy 2030–2024, the Public Works Authority, or "Ashghal," is continuing to make significant efforts to incorporate sustainability into its strategic plan. To this end, it has implemented a number of initiatives on work sites with the aim of ensuring the implementation of sustainability and environmental protection.
Recycling materials and promoting sustainability are key objectives of Ashghal's Corporate Strategy 2018–2023.
Ashghal created and launched its Environment and Sustainability Monthly Report in 2019 as part of its initiatives to enhance environmental performance.
A cutting-edge technology for precisely tracking and reporting all building materials and carbon emissions for inclusion in the report is the ESMR.
In addition, Ashghal has set up three well-placed recycling zones for building materials in Doha's north, west, and south to maximise resource efficiency. Instead of being disposed of in landfills, these facilities started to treat and recycle the construction waste materials (excavated material, recovered asphalt, concrete, and demolition trash) from projects in 2020.
The recycling and use of rubber tyres as an enhanced material for bitumen use modified with crumb rubber (CRMB), which is used in asphalt mixes and more than a thousand tonnes of which were produced in 2023, are examples of sustainability initiatives implemented in Ashghal's projects. This reduces noise on the road and increases the stability and durability of asphalt for longer periods of time.
In order to extend the lifespan of roads and minimise maintenance waste, the Public Works Authority has also made investments in the introduction of cutting-edge sustainable techniques for road operation and maintenance. These techniques involve proactive maintenance work and the use of cutting-edge inspection techniques to scan roads, bridges, and drainage networks for defects before they surface.
Noting that 2 million tonnes of groundwater were reclaimed and treated in Roads Projects Department projects in 2023, it can be observed that in order to maximise the use of water resources, dewatering water has been used in place of potable water in project work, such as spraying it over sand and soil to prevent dust volatilization. This has also helped to reduce carbon emissions resulting from water transportation and supply as well as the consumption of natural resources.
In addition, Ashghal plans, builds, and manages 22 wastewater treatment facilities that are dispersed throughout Qatar's cities. In 2023, these plants generated over 773 thousand m3/day of processed and produced wastewater in accordance with local and international standards in this area.