QATAR TODAY GREEN AWARDS

What are the Awards all about?

Qatar Today Green Awards was created in 2008 to awaken the eco-consciousness in every Qatari citizen and resident. The country’s first Environmental Awards, its ultimate aim is to increase awareness and motivate behavioural change in relation to the protection and preservation of our environment.

Born out of the unwavering belief that our Earth is a shared resource and therefore a shared responsibility, these awards will recognise and promote voluntary contributions across a broad spectrum of activities – from individual to collective efforts.

Businesses – large and small; institutions – educational, health, or governmental; and individuals – independently or as leaders of a collective whole, all play a crucial role in environmental protection and preservation, be it through responsible and sustainable consumption of natural resources or the adoption of environmentally sound technologies, policies and practices.

The Qatar Today Green Awards will honour outstanding environmental vision, endeavours and achievements.

Does Qatar really need Green Awards?

With garbage strewn all over beaches and air pollution constantly rising, Qatar seems to find it hard to tackle these and bigger problems?? (What are these bigger problems). Conservation of oil supplies, preservation of the natural wildlife heritage, and increasing the water supply through desalination are high on Qatar's environmental priority list. Air, water and land pollution are significant environmental issues we face here.

Air: In addition to smog and acid rain, the nation has been affected by the air pollution generated during the Gulf War.

Water:Pollution from the oil industry poses a threat to waters around.

Land:Soils have been damaged by pesticides and fertilizers, and agricultural land is in danger of desertification.

Natural wildlife heritage: One would imagine that at least the national animal wouldn’t make it to the endangered species list but sadly with so many environmental hazards lurking around, the white oryx, the hawksbill turtle and the green sea turtle have quickly made it to the ‘endangered species’ list and the striped hyenas, jackals and honey badgers are already extinct.

With rising levels of pollution in air, water and land pollution, Qatar faces significant environmental issues. Soils have been damaged by pesticides and fertilizers, and agricultural land is in danger of desertification. Pollution from the oil industry poses a threat to waters around. In addition to smog and acid rain, the nation has been affected by the air pollution generated during the Gulf War.

One would imagine that at least Qatar's national animal was safe from being extinct, but sadly with so many environmental hazards lurking around, the white oryx has been identified in the list of 'endangered species'. The hawksbill turtle and the green sea turtle are also part of the same endangered list and the striped hyenas, jackals and honey badgers are already extinct.

As a result, conservation of oil supplies, preservation of the natural wildlife heritage, and increasing the water supply through desalination are high on Qatar's environmental priority list. But much more needs to be done and therefore the QTGA awards.The list is endless but the answer to whether we need a Green Awards is a short and resounding yes, and here’s why.

1. To recognise and promote local environmental efforts and achievements
   Let’s face it – the local green scene is sadly lacking in recognising and promoting earth-friendly efforts and achievements. Globally and regionally however environmental awards in governmental, corporate and other sectors have been evolving for several years, if not decades. While in the country almost every single earth-friendly effort is voluntary, there is hardly any appreciation for such endeavours. The QT Green Awards provides an ideal platform to honour, appreciate and promote such voluntary efforts and achievements.

2. To provide environmental groups with a platform to make a coordinated effort
   Although the Qatar Today Green Awards is a first of its kind for Qatar, the fact remains that several organisations – corporate houses, institutions, schools etc – are engaging in a relentless effort to protect and preserve the environment. The lack of an umbrella organisation which will bring these players together and facilitate better coordination and exchange of ideas creates an inherent lacuna in the system. The QT Green Awards quite naturally facilitates a forum for coordinated eco-efforts in the country.

3. To create and increase awareness and to mobilise and motivate greater action
   Lack of awareness inevitably breeds inaction. Environmental activism in Qatar stands at a minimal level, with an urgent need for greater awareness and action. Various material associated with the awards – such as the QT Green Awards Campaigns, this website etc, – will create and increase environmental awareness, these will also lead towards greater action in the long term, both at a community and decision making levels.