Qatar's CO2 Emissions - Research Paper Example

? 15 April Qatar's CO2 Emissions Qatar has achieved remarkable economic growth over the yearsby capitalizing on its natural resources of oil and gas. While it boasts of being one of the richest and developed countries of the world, it also has the highest per capita carbon footprint owing to its use of fossil fuels. Its per capita CO2 emissions are the highest in the world and are three times that of the US (Pearce). Although its emissions have multiplied four fold since 1990, the country is not penalized for it, as it is classified as a developing country, thereby escaping the need to set emission targets as per the Kyoto Protocol (Pearce). Considering the global drive to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment, Qatar has begun taking initiatives to keep its share of the global carbon emissions and greenhouse gases in check. The urgency to introduce measures to reduce its carbon footprint came to global notice after the UNDP Human Development Report of 2007 identified it as being the highest contributor to global carbon emissions with per capita CO2 emissions being 79.3 tones/capita (“Combating Qatar's CO2 emissions, Carbon World 2009 addresses reduction”). Effect of CO2 Emissions and Green House Gases (GHG) on the Environment Carbon dioxide and other GHGs such as sulphur dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxides liberated upon burning fossil fuels have massive negative effects on the environment. These gases upon accumulation over the earth cause climatic changes due to global warming, which in turn affect other ecological features of the planet. CO2 and GHGs allow the sun’s heat to reach the earth’s surface; however, they do not allow the infrared light or heat emitted by the earth’s surface from leaving (Williams 6). This process results in the accumulation of heat on earth, much like what happens in a greenhouse. The trapping of heat results in global warming which in turn causes massive alterations in global climates. These climatic changes affect forests, vegetation, agriculture, and rainfall, apart from causing a rise in sea level by melting the polar ice sheets (ReVelle and ReVelle 376). Such changes adversely affect all life forms on earth. However, as Williams points out, the process that is actually occurring is more complex than greenhouse effect and global warming (6). He reasons that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has irregular features on its surface such as mountain ranges, forests, oceans, polar ice caps, etc. Not two regions display the same response to excess CO2 ­and GHGs in the environment. Therefore, as Williams argues, “future climate change is regional, not global” (6). High CO2 emissions lead to adverse effects on the climate, which influences not only agriculture and water levels, but also causes water stress and water insecurity, climatic disasters, adverse effects on human health, and even negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem (GSDP 17). Considering the complex association between the climate, the environment and greenhouse gas emissions, it is understood that controlling and monitoring the carbon and ecological footprint of manmade processes is an indispensable requirement. Qatar is the Highest Country per Capita in CO2 Emissions As already stated, Qatar’s per capita CO2 emissions are the highest in the world. The main reason for Qatar’s high CO2 emissions is its extremely high use of energy (Pearce). Qatar has large industries for the extraction and processing of its fossil fuel reserves (GSDP 104). These industries themselves have high energy consumption. Qatar is the largest producer of liquefied natural gas and exports a huge amount of its gas reserves to Europe and North America (Pearce). While liquefied natural gas is a clean fuel, its extraction and liquefaction is a very high energy consuming process and this contributes to the country’s already high carbon footprint. It can thus be said that while the country produces clean fuel that helps other countries meet the Kyoto Protocol, it itself risks being the largest polluter in the process of producing the clean fuel (Pearce). Rapid industrial expansion over the past two decades, coupled with increasing population and rise in migrant labor, has also contributed heavily to Qatar’s total carbon emissions (GSDP 104). The country depends on desalination of seawater for its water needs and the process of desalination consumes huge amounts of energy. The major contributors to the country’s CO2 emissions are energy and manufacturing industries, gas processing and manufacturing industries, and its desalination plants that together contribute to about 90% of the total CO2 emissions (GSDP 105). Qatar has the Second Highest Ecological Footprint per Capita in the World The ecological footprint of Qatar is 10.5 global hectares per capita, which is second highest to that of United Arab Emirates whose ecological footprint is 10.7 (Global Footprint Network). The fact that electricity and water are free in Qatar is attributed as being one of the main reasons as to why the country has such a high ecological footprint (Pearce). As Qataris do not have to pay for their electricity and water consumption, it is assumed that they practice little or no discretion over their use of these precious resources. Pearce points out that in most countries of the Middle East, including Qatar, water is “liquid electricity”, as each drop is produced by the desalination of seawater, which consumes vast amounts of energy. The per capita water use of Qatar is the highest in the world, and the rate of water consumption is growing at a rate of 9% (“Qatar’s per capita water use ‘highest in world’”). According to reports, Qatar’s per capita water consumption is six times that of Europe (“Qatar’s per capita water use ‘highest in world’”). Moreover, the rate of growth in energy consumption in Qatar is 7% (Pearce). It also has intensive building activity resulting in an increased dependence on energy expensive “non-conventional water supplies” such as desalinated water and treated wastewater, which have replaced conventional water supplies like groundwater (GSDP 17). While the country is rich in oil and gas resources, it suffers from the inefficient use of these, as there is no “financial incentive to use less energy”, thereby encouraging indiscriminate use of these resources (Todorova). Is Qatar trying to Change its Ecological Footprint? Qatar is definitely taking major initiatives in order to bring down its carbon emissions and ecological footprint. The government is taking significant measures in this direction. It is believed to be the latest country in the Middle East to “aggressively push toward reducing their per capita CO2 emissions and embrace a low carbon economy” (“Combating Qatar's CO2 emissions”). It is also the first GCC country to join the Global Gas Flaring Reduction project of the World Bank (“Combating Qatar's CO2 emissions”). This project aims at controlling gas flaring, which is a major contributor to CO2 emissions. It is also promoting research projects such as those involving Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar National Research Fund and public-private partnerships such as those between Qatar Petroleum, Imperial College of London, and Shell, for the management of CO2 emissions and for other environmental problems (GSDP 116). It is also promoting the adoption of new technologies for reducing its emissions. For instance, Qatargas, the country’s and the world’s largest LNG producing company, has adopted GE’s advanced combustion technology to reduce its energy consumption and footprint to the lowest practical levels (“Qatargas picks GE technology to lower emissions”). Another example of such an initiative is Qatar’s venture towards Biomass to Liquid aviation fuel (Picow). Qatar Airways is working towards the use of biofuel to power its airliners, which would prove to be a major step in the efficient use of natural resources (Picow). Conclusion Qatar has the highest carbon emission and ecological footprint, apart from the highest water consumption per capita. These figures are in direct correlation with the industrial and economic advancements the country has made in recent years. Qatar is now taking major strides towards sustainable development, keeping environmental concerns in view while reaching out for economic progress. As the country is one of the major providers of clean fuel to other countries, it does enjoy a certain degree of credibility. However, its population will have to be educated about efficient water and energy consumption, or the government will have to introduce measures that will encourage the careful use of these precious resources. Works Cited “Combating Qatar's CO2 emissions”. Ameinfo. 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. < http://www.ameinfo.com/181812.html> “Qatar’s per capita water use ‘highest in world’.” Gulf Times. 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. “Qatargas picks GE technology to lower emissions.” Hydrocarbon Processing. 12 Jun. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. < http://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/Article/2945394/Qatargas-picks-GE-technology-to-lower-emissions.html> Global Footprint Network. “Data and Results.” Global Footprint Network. 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. < http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/ecological_footprint_atlas_2008/%20> GSDP. “Qatar National Vision 2030: Advancing Sustainable Development.” Qatar’s second Human Development Report. General Secretariat for Development Planning. Jul. 2009. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. < http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/nationalreports/arabstates/qatar/QHDR_EN_2009.pdf> Pearce, Fred. “Qatar to use biofuels? What about the country's energy consumption.” The Guardian. 14 Jan. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. < http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/14/qatar-biofuels-energy-consumption> Picow, Maurince. “Biofuel Project for Qatar Airways and Airbus.” Green Prophet. 17 Jan. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. ReVelle, Penelope, and Charles ReVelle. The Global Environment: Securing a Sustainable Future. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 1992. Todorova, Vesela. “Region's carbon emissions doubled in past 30 years: report.” The National. 27 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. < http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/regions-carbon-emissions-doubled-in-past-30-years-report> Williams, Claire. Evolutionary Dynamics of Forests under Climate Change. New Castle: Springer, 2011. Read More