The Ministry of Environment, together with several institutions, will set new mandatory requirements for constructions such as energy and water saving measures, reduction of solid waste and wastewater and improvement of indoor environment to safeguard public health. This will coincide with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Sustainable Standards for 2030 would be released in two phases — voluntary standards and mandatory standards — which will be implemented when new buildings are built.
"The standards are set for environment-friendly buildings which reduce consumption of water and energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and enhance recycling," said Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, the Assistant Under- Secretary for Laboratories and Standardisation at the Ministry of Environment.
"Also, Gulf and international standards will be taken into consideration while setting up Sustainable Standards for 2030. These guidelines will ensure public health and safety, especially in avoiding accidents," Al Kuwari told a seminar at the St Regis Hotel, Doha.
"They will also look into ways of preserving Arab and Islamic identity in architectural designs of the buildings," Al Kuwari added.
Monday's seminar was held in cooperation with public sector institutions such as the Ashghal and Qatar Green Building Council to know their suggestions to be included in the final draft of the Sustainable Standards for 2030. Another meeting is scheduled soon with the private sector.
"We are going step by step in setting the standards. Suggestions by the public and private sectors will be taken into consideration before we finalise the guidelines," said Nawaf Ibrahim Al Hamad Al Mana, Director of Standards and Metrology Department at the Ministry of Environment, on the sidelines of the seminar.
"The final document of the Sustainable Standards for 2030 would be released by end of this year, "said Al Mana, who was also a panelist at the seminar for public sector institutions.
The Peninsula
6 February
