Symposium Concept Note
Extreme weather events, including heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, and droughts threaten human health, security, livelihoods, food and agricultural systems, water supplies, infrastructure, and economic growth. Some of these climate change-related events have also caused significant damage and fatalities around the world. Additionally, extreme heat, prolonged drought, increased flooding, and severe storms are occurring more frequently in various parts of the world. According to UNEP, 30 per cent of the world’s population is exposed to deadly heat waves more than 20 days a year . To prevent warming beyond 1.5°C, the world needs to reduce emissions by 7.6% every year from this year to 2030 . Furthermore, it is also worth noting that climatic conditions from rising temperatures that result from climate fluctuations may cause a rise in energy prices and thus have the greatest impact on the consumer price index in low- and middle-income countries.
The effect of rising sea levels on the Arabian Gulf region can be socially and environmentally devastating. The social impacts of rising sea levels may involve increased vulnerability to coastal flooding and storms, loss of homes, livelihoods, sense of belonging, and destruction of infrastructure. Mitigating climate change is a necessary condition to improve food security, sustain agricultural production, and reduce environmental burden . In addition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainable utilization of scarce resources is becoming urgent. Moreover, climate-linked losses may increase production costs and push up consumers' expenses, severely hitting the disadvantaged segments of the population.
Mitigating climate change presents a significant opportunity to reduce environmental footprints and preserve the environment. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change provides a global framework through which governments are responding to the climate change crisis. In addition, the latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term low-emissions development strategies (LT-LEDs) that Parties have submitted to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, are critical in forecasting total emissions linked to energy consumption and other sectors such as transport, agriculture, forestry and land use change. However, the accelerating climate crisis requires short-term measures to raise the mitigation ambition, and long-term transition to a low-carbon economy that is responsive to dynamic changes imposed by the emerging crisis. It is therefore critical to discuss the climate change issues from various disciplines to make it more understandable, inclusive, and enhance the policy advise to governments.
There is evidence in many studies proving that human behaviour and human actions have a direct influence on extraction of resources to support consumption and livelihoods . Understanding how human behaviour contributes to the climate crisis is critical in raising awareness and educating people about the impact of their actions on the environment . Such environmental awareness promotes a sense of responsibility and encourages individuals and communities to make more sustainable choices. Innovative solutions are equally important as they drive progress in areas such as renewable energy, waste reduction, and conservation, and the use of environmentally friendly technology.
Climate change is a cross-cutting issue: it affects and is affected by a wide variety of sectors such as energy, food, tourism, human health, animal and plant health, ecosystem integrity, wildlife, among many others. Discussing all these sectors in one event is impossible. Therefore, under the broad theme of climate change and the environment, The Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI), Qatar University will organize a series of annual symposia focusing on a specific sector.
The inaugural symposium will be held on the theme “Climate change and sustainable energy: Strategies for the low carbon transition”. The energy sector was chosen because the energy sector is the source is about three quarters of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, an accelerated transition to clean energy is critical both for mitigation, as well as for adapting to climate.
Discussion in the symposium will be enriched by inputs from guest researchers, experts, students, and policymakers from various disciplines. The interactive discussion is aimed at imparting knowledge, exchanging practical experience and ideas on ways to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
General Objectives of the Symposium
The symposium will provide a platform for local and international experts to share insights and experiences on climate change and sustainable energy. Specifically, the symposium will aim to achieve the following:
- Increase the understanding of researchers and policymakers of the economic impact and political implications of climate change from various perspectives.
- Identify the risks and opportunities posed by climate change in the energy sector.
- Increase awareness and knowledge of policymakers on policy instruments and tools in the low-carbon transition in the energy sector.
- Expand knowledge in behavioural sciences and its application to sustainable energy.
Interactive Sessions
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Energy efficiency and Behavioural Insights
When discussing climate change, it is critical to understand how human attitudes and behaviours contribute to the crisis. Insights from behavioural sciences could help in explaining the link between human activities and the drivers of climate change. Understanding the factors influencing behavioural change could also open possibilities to design effective policies to mitigate to climate change. A focus on behavioural factors and how people form perceptions about climate change could provide important information for policymakers concerned about the effectiveness of policies in promoting environmentally benign behaviour. Additionally, the behavioural science applied to climate change is an important subject that helps understand the readiness of humans to adapt to mitigation strategies.
Consumer choices affects the environment in many ways. Insights into human behaviour are critical in the design of effective environmental policies. People make numerous decisions that have an impact on energy consumption. The session on energy efficiency and behavioural insights will provide an overview on how policy interventions could be designed, considering knowledge, environmental awareness, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour towards sustainable consumption. It will provide a general introduction to Behavioural Environmental Economics and its application to Energy Economics.
- Strategies for the Low Carbon Transition and Renewable Energy
This topic revolves around driving our world towards a sustainable development path through technology. The session will discuss different types of technology for reducing energy wastage, such as smart meters for electricity and water. It will also discuss other innovations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as the use of environmentally friendly building materials in the construction sector. The session will be an opportunity to enhance awareness of individuals about innovations and technologies that are practical in promoting sustainable consumption choices. The focus will be on practical examples of policy, strategies and innovations in the energy, transportation, and construction sectors. The ministry of Environment and climate change will share strategies and plan of action to face climate change and reduce its effect.
The global goal of achieving a net zero emission target has triggered a global energy transition which could significantly expose hydrocarbon production. Qatar’s National Environment and Climate Change Strategy has set the target of reducing 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with significant investments in solar electricity production and development of integrated electric mass transportation systems1. In addition, since hydrocarbon resources are non-renewable, their future role in the economy depends on optimal exploitation in the business as usual scenario —suggesting the need for continued efforts in diversifying the economy.
This session will explore Qatar’s sustainable energy option and public policy tools aimed at reducing emission rates. This session consists of young people representing competent authorities in the field, such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the General Electricity and Water Corporation, Qatar Energy, in addition to Qatar University’s Agricultural research station. The focus will be on national strategies and current efforts aimed at protecting the environment from risks associated with the use of fossil fuels, including the progress made in increasing renewable energy sources.
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Climate Change and Decarbonization Strategies from GCC
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries face existential challenges due to the accelerating climate crisis. Among these challenges are desertification, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, and rising sea levels. The impact on the Gulf region is worse due to its characteristics such as high temperatures, high humidity, arid lands, and salt seeping into freshwater. The effects of climate change are expected to further aggravate the situation in the Middle East, especially for a long time. Nearly 200,000 people expected to be exposed to persistent coastal flooding by 2050 .
By 2050, the entire Gulf region could face a 50 percent reduction in water availability per capita9, posing significant risks to food security and economic stability, as well as potentially sparking a rise in carbon emissions for Saudi Arabia as the country could resort to much more energy-intensive desalinization process to meet its water requirements.
In this session, scholars from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, will present case studies on policies and strategies for decarbonization and provide policy recommendations that could be generalized to Gulf region.