Qatar energy greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and sustainability initiatives
The State of Qatar is setting a national goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 25 percent by 2030. This target is one of the main objectives and top priorities of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which focuses on sustainable social and environmental projects and technologies, economic and industry diversification, and developing a mix of energy sources. Climate change is increasingly a focus of the Qatari government, which in October 2021 created a dedicated Ministry for Environment and Climate Change, and rebranded Qatar Petroleum to QatarEnergy (QE). Qatar also launched its first solar power plant and began investing in renewables to diversify its energy portfolio.
QE, the country’s national oil company, is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to implement Qatar’s National Environment and Climate Strategy. QE incorporates Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into its climate change and sustainability practices, noting that LNG is the cleanest of the fossil fuels (LNG produces 40 percent less carbon dioxide than coal and 30 percent less than oil) and is the preferred transition fuel from coal and oil to more sustainable energy sources. In August 2021, QE announced its aim to reduce GHG emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and allocated $170 million to this effort, which focuses on flare and methane reduction. QE also developed a comprehensive sustainability plan to enhance environmentally friendly, energy-efficient practices in existing LNG facilities and those under development as part of the North Field LNG Expansion project.
Sub-sectors with strong market potential
The key sectors for Qatar in sustainability are power generation, industrial processes, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, and health and safety. The list below provides the key sub-sectors in this industry:
• Leak detection equipment and repair services
• Methane/flare monitoring equipment
• Cogeneration
• Decarbonization
• Energy efficiency solutions (integration, retrofit, and redesign)
• Environmental and clean technologies
• Renewables
• Recycling
• Pollution control solutions
• Carbon capture and storage
• Research and Development – potential pilot projects on waste to energy, water management, and energy efficiency and savings
• Safety and maintenance methods and measures
• Solutions for oil spillage, oil recovery, and soil remediation
• Smart solutions, including artificial intelligence
• Vehicle and marine emission control technologies
Next Steps for the U.S. Client
U.S. companies offering quality solutions that match these opportunities should work with Commercial Specialist Golda Agnazata (Golda.Agnazata@trade.gov) at the U.S. Commercial Service in Qatar to explore matchmaking, market research, and other assistance.
Participate in U.S. trade shows
U.S. firms interested in energy efficiency and sustainability should reach out to CS Qatar to note participation in U.S. trade shows in the oil and gas, energy, and environmental technologies sectors. CS Qatar often recruits delegations to key shows and can introduce U.S. company executives to Qatari industry representatives and government officials at these shows.
Upcoming U.S. trade show - Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) on May 1-4, 2023, in Houston, Texas. OTC is the premiere event to showcase offshore technological advances and solutions in drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection.
Participate in U.S. trade missions to Qatar
U.S. firms interested in exploring clean tech and sustainability opportunities in Qatar should connect with CS Qatar. CS Qatar recruits U.S. companies to join trade missions to the region, which include customized one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, government officials, and joint venture partners.
Upcoming Clean Technology trade mission - Join the U.S. Commercial Service for the Clean Tech trade mission, an Executive-Led trade mission promoting U.S. clean tech goods and services in the Middle East from March 12 –17, 2023, with a stop in Qatar on March 8-9, 2023. Participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance their own specific projects, all with the goal of increasing U.S. Clean Tech goods and service exports to the region.
Conduct Market Research
U.S. firms should closely monitor the following resources (hyperlinks included) to learn more about Qatar’s unique market and review potential opportunities:
• QE tender website for upcoming projects related in the oil and gas industry.
• Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) for research and pilot project opportunities.
• Al-Attiyah Foundation for upcoming webinars, symposia, and energy and environmental sector-related events in Qatar.
• QE’s sustainability report to view QE’s areas of focus for their sustainability, clean tech, and energy efficiency needs.
For more information about opportunities in this sector, please contact: Golda Agnazata, Commercial Specialist, Golda.Agnazata@trade.gov