“Sustainable Qatar - Social, Political and Environmental Perspectives” traces Qatar’s sustainability journey

The book, Sustainable Qatar - Social, Political and Environmental Perspectives has been researched and edited by Dr. Logan Cochrane, Associate Professor at the College of Public Policy (CPP), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and Reem Al-Hababi, PhD student in the Gulf Studies Program at Qatar University, and an alumna of the Master of Public Policy program at CPP, who both contribute several chapters.  The book published by Springer Singapore, traces Qatar’s sustainability journey in its broad political, environmental, and human dimensions. 

Sustainable Qatar provides a topical overview of the unique conditions, significant sustainability issues, and policy challenges for Qatar. The book brings together diverse perspectives from 39 authors, including international and Qatar-based experts, academics, scientists, policy experts, and practitioners working on sustainability issues with a foreword by His Excellency Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeBringing to the fore HBKU’s unique interdisciplinarity, the book features insights from across the university’s colleges and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI). Two chapters by QEERI experts offer a wealth of perspectives. Dr. Jenny Lawler, Senior Research Director, the Water Center; Annamaria Mazzoni, Research Associate; and Sa’d Shannak, Scientist, discuss drivers for efficiency improvements in Qatar’s water sector. Dr. Marcello Contestabile, Principal Economist, illustrates the energy systems model QEERI is developing.

The concluding chapter by Dr. Cochrane, Al-Hababi, and Dr. Leslie A. Pal, Dean of CPP, brings together diverse recommendations and pathways for a sustainable future. The book highlights the commitment to research and sustainability in Qatar. Contributing authors are affiliated to the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Texas A&M at Qatar, Qatar University, Qatar Foundation (QF) - with a chapter discussing QF’s unique role as a sustainability innovator, as well as the Supreme Committee on Delivery and Legacy (SC) - with a chapter discussing the FIFA World Cup 2022 as a catalyst for environmental sustainability. 

Several chapters are collaborative as it explores areas such as the climate change risks facing coastal cities in the region and a potential new lens for promoting sustainable urbanism. They include contributions from experts at the Alliance of Biodiversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Kenya; University College London; Duke Kunshan University, China; the University of Ottawa; and University of London (SOAS). Given the book’s broad contextual relevance to arid climates worldwide, Dr. Cochrane and several authors presented insights from their respective chapters to a global audience during COP27 in Egypt.

Part of the Springer Nature Gulf Studies Book Series, Sustainable Qatar - Social, Political and Environmental Perspectives is freely available at HERE

For more information on the programs and research at the College of Public Policy, please visit cpp.hbku.edu.qa