QATAR. Qatar and the UK are actively supporting the move towards a low carbon economy by working with organisations engaged in reducing emissions and developing low carbon technology.

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and the London-based Carbon Trust, an independent company set up by the UK government in 2001, have signed a memorandum of understanding to create an investment fund for clean technology and seek opportunities for sharing and collaborating on developing technologies for demonstration schemes.

Carbon Trust CEO Tom Delay said Qatar’s commitment to a clean environment was evident from its wholehearted support of a low carbon economy.

“Qatar’s role is very progressive. By showing its keen interest in developing a low carbon economy, the hydrocarbon-rich Qatar has become a good example for others to follow,” Delay said in an interview for Gulf Times in Doha.

During its talks with the QIA, Carbon Trust had suggested the establishment of a ‘low carbon innovation centre’, he said.

“That can be a physical or a virtual centre, though its location has not been finalised yet. Many good scientists and engineers working on clean technology, particularly in the UK, can demonstrate their capabilities here. Qatar might be an opportunity for that,” Delay said.

He said Qatar sits on a ‘clean’ hydrocarbon resource.

“Gas is very much the cleanest of the hydrocarbons. It is easier to capture carbon dioxide from gas than from coal. Processing gas to get carbon dioxide out is easier when compared to coal or any other hydrocarbon source,” Delay pointed out.

The Carbon Trust, which currently works with half of the FTSE companies and more than 50,000 smaller businesses in the UK, has so far saved about 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide at an estimated cost of £1 billion, he said.

Besides providing clean technology, it also funds businesses that are committed to acquiring clean technology and contributing to low a carbon  economy.

“All businesses – big or small - should realise easy cost savings by taking sensible energy efficiency measures.  Every business should be asking how much cash their company can save by cutting carbon. It has greater relevance in this time of global economic downturn,” Delay added.

The Carbon Trust was set up by the UK government in 2001 as an independent company in response to the threat of climate change.

The Carbon Trust says most businesses could save up to 20% on energy bills by taking ‘low cost or no cost action’ on energy efficiency. 

Three key areas for immediate action are energy management, improved lighting and efficient heating, said Delay.
 

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