Qatar contributes approximately 0.3% of the global emissions total. Still, the emissions per person remains exceptionally high, driven by a hydrocarbon-dependent economy, with oil and natural gas accounting for over 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and over 70% of total government revenue.
With Qatar’s Vision 2030 targeting a significant reduction in GHG emissions, it has become a pertinent concern for companies conducting business with Qatari entities to adopt strategies for cutting down on emissions generated across the corporate value chain. This article discusses the state of Qatar’s National GHG emissions and its impact on Qatar’s energy sector. We also discussed Qatar’s pathway to reducing emissions and effective strategies for companies dedicated to cutting down GHG emissions across corporate supply chains.
The State of Qatar’s National GHG Emissions
According to the Qatar National Planning Council, the oil and gas sector is the biggest contributor to national GHG emissions accounting for an estimated 49.95%, followed by power and water (26.62%), industrial processes (8.51%), road transport (7.3%), and building industries (7.3%). We have provided the table breakdown from the Open Data report below.
| Major Contributions | Qatar total emissions (expressed in metric tons of CO2 equivalent) | % contributions |
| Oil and gas | 31,174,617 | 49.95% |
| Power and water | 16,611,469 | 26.62% |
| Industrial process | 5,312,667 | 8.51% |
| Road transport | 4,553,199 | 7.3% |
| Building industries | 3,599,838 | 5.77% |
| Refinery | 656,353 | 1.05% |
| Waste | 413,538 | 0.66% |
| Enteric and manure | 84,865 | 0.14% |
Qatar’s energy sector’s emission of high GHG levels is directly linked to its intense reliance on natural gas for power generation, heavy industrial processes and significant oil/gas exports. Its significant fossil fuel reliance also means that nearly all electricity in Qatar is generated via gas-fired power plants, and the economy is heavily sustained by oil and gas production, a situation which is reinforced by the activities of QatarEnergy and its partnerships with international entities.
High emissions also result from the intensive energy required for heavy industries, including petrochemicals and desalination. These industrial processes cut across all aspects of the manufacturing and production value chain, resulting in scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions across Qatar. A direct result of having almost no natural freshwater, the country relies on massive energy-intensive thermal desalination which is linked to power generation and emits significant CO2.
The Impact of GHG Emissions on Qatar’s Economy
Qatar finds itself in a unique development situation as its current activities, which are driving economic growth and development, are also responsible for GHG emissions in varying quantities. These emissions can also affect the economy in diverse ways with key economic impacts including:
Economic Dependency
Qatar’s economy is heavily dependent on natural gas exports, which drive up GHG emissions from its energy sector. In the long run, this could make it vulnerable to international climate policies, and carbon price changes.
Decarbonization Costs
To meet its 25% emission target by 2030, Qatar is committing significant resources to investments in energy efficient, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
Efficiency Gains
Qatar LNG is considered a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels, with exports having avoided approximately 3,525.66 Mt of CO2 globally between 1997 and 2022. This has created a niche market for the country’s energy products and solidified its placement as a global leader in the LNG market.
Industrial Transition
The presence of significant GHG emissions has prompted Qatar to reinforce a shift towards a more sustainable, diversified economy. This is reducing reliance on high-emission sectors, which influence national development plans.
Qatar’s National Measures for Reducing GHG Emissions
Qatar has been engaged in actionable strategies for reducing its GHG emission rates including:
The Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy (QNE)
This strategy was launched in 2021 in Qatar and outlines practical measures for achieving the environment pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030. The plan effectively sets out Qatar’s commitment to tackling climate change through economic diversification, capacity building, and optimal use of natural resources. It also establishes national climate targets for enhancing climate resilience and identifies numerous environmental priorities such as GHG emissions in Qatar, air quality, biodiversity, circular economy, and waste management.
These focus areas are an indication that a governance system has been established to implement the strategy and to meet specific 2030 goals, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the end of 2030. The QNE further outlines national projects which adopt tangible measures for reducing GHG emissions including:
- The largest carbon capture project in the MENA region
- Improving the efficiency of the hydrocarbon toxicity treatment
- The tarseed 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 boost water recycling and reuse.
- The building of the Al Kharsaah solar power station with a capacity of 800 MW.
QatarEnergy Sustainability Strategy
QatarEnergy’s Sustainability Strategy is governed by three main references, namely the Qatar National Vision 2030, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement. It also utilizes several main pillars for its objectives including: (i) to develop a low carbon energy department, (ii) to reduce emissions to compensate for residual emissions, (iii)to preserve the company’s leading position in the LNG sector.
QatarEnergy has also set several targets within its strategy, such as:
- Carbon Reduction intensity of 15% from upstream and 25% from the LNG facilities by 2030
- Methane intensity of 0.2% by 2050
- Zero routine flaring by 2030
- Add 2 to 4 GW of renewable by 2030
Methane Management
QatarEnergy’s membership in the Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative has ensured the company can reaffirm national priorities and commitments with regards to the climate change agenda and its alignment with the global effort to reduce emissions. The initiative’s aim is to achieve near-zero methane emissions from operated oil and gas assets by 2030. As a corporation with vast oil assets in the Gulf region with significant dealings with international companies, QatarEnergy’s participation serves as a crucial signal for other energy corporations to follow on the importance of methane reduction. This also unlocks access to GHG-emission reduction technology which can close the gap between emission reduction targets.
Effective Strategies for Emissions Reduction in Qatar
Qatar’s accelerated approach towards effective carbon reduction can be spearheaded through the following measures:
Utilization of Lower-carbon LNG
The oil and gas sector occupies pole position in terms of GHG emissions and proactive measures dedicated towards reducing the carbon output from its operations is a definite step in the right direction. A positive perspective of this can be seen in QatarEnergy’s efforts to incorporate advanced energy-efficient technologies and carbon capture systems into its new LNG facilities. It is also focused on making improvements to its existing structures to reduce emissions and flaring.
Partnerships with Methane Reduction Initiatives
Methane leakage remains a serious issue in the context of climate action as the greenhouse gas traps 80 times more heat than carbondioxide over a 20-year period. Methane emissions can also occur from diverse sources ranging from incomplete combustion, flaring, venting, and fugitive leaks in corporate operations.
Using QatarEnergy’s initiative as a case study, partnerships established with methane-focused initiatives can guarantee a fast track to near-zero methane emissions across all corporate operations. These include Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0), the Methane Guiding Principles (MGP), and the Oil and Gas Climate Initiatives (OGCI’s) Aiming for Zero methane emissions initiative.
Flare Reduction
According to the International Energy Agency, the volume of gas flared worldwide fell by around 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 139 bcm (about 3% reduction). It also points out that in the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, all non-emergency flaring is eliminated globally by 2030, resulting in a 95% reduction in flared volumes and avoiding 365 Mt CO2-eq.
Flare reduction can be achieve through the implementation of a flare gas recovery system (FGRS) which captures waste gases that would be burned in flares and converts it into usable fuel. Combustion efficiency can also be improved as complete combustion is a vital measure in reducing unburned hydrocarbons. Staged flaring also ensures that flare systems can adjust flame sizes based on gas flow, ensuring more efficient combustion.
Conclusion
Qatar’s sustainability objectives have continued to receive a significant boost given strong commitments to cutting down GHG emissions. With proactive initiatives and measures from national corporations like QatarEnergy, companies in Qatar have gained a blueprint for cutting down on harmful emission contributions to Qatar’s industries.
References
- International Energy Agency, Qatar – Countries and Regions, https://www.iea.org/countries/qatar/emissions
- Economy Middle East, Qatar GDP and Economic Overview, https://economymiddleeast.com/qatar-gdp/
- Trading Economics, Qatar GDP Growth Rate, https://tradingeconomics.com/qatar/gdp-growth
- Qatar Open Data Report, Qatar National GHG Emissions, https://www.data.gov.qa/explore/dataset/qatar-national-ghg-emissions/table/?sort=major_contributors&dataChart=eyJxdWVyaWVzIjpbeyJjb25maWciOnsiZGF0YXNldCI6InFhdGFyLW5hdGlvbmFsLWdoZy1lbWlzc2lvbnMiLCJvcHRpb25zIjp7fX0sImNoYXJ0cyI6W3siYWxpZ25Nb250aCI6dHJ1ZSwidHlwZSI6ImNvbHVtbiIsImZ1bmMiOiJBVkciLCJ5QXhpcyI6InFhdGFyX3RvdGFsX2VtaXNzaW9uc19jbzJfZXF1aXZhbGVudCIsInNjaWVudGlmaWNEaXNwbGF5Ijp0cnVlLCJjb2xvciI6IiMwNjVlODMifV0sInhBeGlzIjoibWFqb3JfY29udHJpYnV0b3JzIiwibWF4cG9pbnRzIjo1MCwic29ydCI6IiJ9XSwidGltZXNjYWxlIjoiIiwiZGlzcGxheUxlZ2VuZCI6dHJ1ZSwiYWxpZ25Nb250aCI6dHJ1ZX0%3D
- Climate Change Laws of the World, Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, https://climate-laws.org/document/qatar-national-environment-and-climate-change-strategy_ac70