
ICC Qatar launches Environment & Energy Commission to drive private sector leadership on sustainability
The Commission, unveiled during a high-level event in Doha on Wednesday, will serve as the country's premier platform for private-sector engagement on climate policy, environmental stewardship, and the energy transition. Aligned with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Commission's establishment marks a significant step in reinforcing commitment to sustainability and economic diversification under the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The roadmap unveiled at the event outlines a phased implementation strategy, including the formation of dedicated working groups focused on low-carbon energy transition, sustainable water and desalination, and emissions mitigation through tools such as carbon markets and carbon capture. The Commission will also engage closely with national entities such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Kahramaa, and QatarEnergy, while fostering strategic alliances with international partners including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the UN Global Compact.
Sheikha Tamader Al Thani, Secretary General, ICC Qatar highlighted: 'The establishment of the ICC Qatar Environment & Energy Commission represents a significant step in advancing our commitment to sustainability as a key driver of long-term economic resilience and private sector leadership. This Commission provides a dedicated platform for constructive dialogue, policy advocacy, and actionable collaboration between business, government, and global institutions.'
She also pointed out: 'Through the commission work, we aim to align with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, while actively contributing to international frameworks and initiatives. Together with our partners at the Al-Attiyah Foundation, we are confident that this Commission will catalyze innovative solutions and position Qatar's private sector as a leader in the global energy transition.'
Speaking at the launch, Colman Hands, Co-Chair of the Commission, emphasized the importance of private-sector leadership in addressing climate challenges. 'This Commission is designed to be a dynamic force, connecting policy, innovation, and investment in ways that can drive real change,' he stated.
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Al Jazeera
a day ago
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They arrived through a tangle of different avenues, including 75,000 flown in on evacuation flights in the immediate aftermath of the withdrawal, as the administration of US President Joe Biden undertook what it dubbed 'Operation Allies Welcome'. Thousands more have since sought asylum by making treacherous journeys across the world to traverse the US southern border. Some have relocated via so-called Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), reserved for individuals who worked directly with the US military in Afghanistan, under a notoriously backlogged programme. Others have been resettled through a special State Department programme, known as Priority 1 (P1) and Priority 2 (P2), launched by the administration of President Biden, meant for Afghans who face persecution for having worked in various capacities on behalf of the US government or with a US-based organisation in Afghanistan. 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Meanwhile, the administration terminated a special status for those who entered the US via the CBP One app in April, potentially affecting thousands of Afghans who entered via the southern border. Advocates warn that many more Afghans may soon be facing another legal cliff. After being evacuated in 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans were granted humanitarian parole, a temporary status that allowed them to legally live and work in the US for two years, with an extension granted in 2023. That programme is soon set to end. While many granted the status have since sought other legal avenues, most often applying for asylum or SIVs, an unknown number could be rendered undocumented and subject to deportation when the extension ends. Legislation creating a clearer pathway to citizenship has languished in Congress for years. 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