Korea has become a global leader in clean energy technology.  Qatar is now a case study for embracing  sustainability and renewables.  It is only natural, therefore, that the governments and businesses of these two small but mighty trailblazers  partner on clean energy research and development.

As quoted by Francesca Astorri in Qatar’s Peninsula during a conference this week:

“Qatar is the best place in the world for solar energy,” said Dr Eng Choi Hang, Vice President of the Research Planning Group of GS Engineering and Construction. Qatar in fact has a total area of 11,437 sq/km, of which less than 140 sq/km are urbanised. This makes green energy the most rational choice to best use the 365 days of equatorial sun.

The plans are ambitious.  Qatar already has plans underway for a large solar technology factory, and with water stewardship a pressing problem for more countries, the tiny emirate seeks to unlock the key to powering desalination plants with renewable energy.

While the United Arab Emirates’ work in Masdar gets most of the attention in the Middle East, and while large global powers like the United States dither on climate volatility issues, Qatar keeps making progress.  As the 2022 World Cup approaches, look for Qatar to go above and beyond in proving to the world that they will be a hub for innovation and sustainable development.

My goal is to be a part of it.

Photo is of Carnegie Mellon's University in Doha, Qatar.

About The Author

Leon Kaye

Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event. His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about corporate responsibility, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine. Leon works out of Fresno and Silicon Valley, California, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 60 countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.