Qatar Green Building Council helps residents stay green this summer

Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) is helping residents “stay green all summer long” by sharing simple techniques for saving energy and protecting the environment during Ramadan and the summer months in an online campaign.

“This social media campaign is part of our efforts to raise awareness among residents about how to live sustainably within the specific climate and cultural conditions here in Qatar. We look forward to sharing practical tips for greener living with the community over the coming weeks,” said EngMeshal Al Shamari, Director of Qatar Green Building Council.

The campaign has tips on five main themes, including keeping cool at home, saving energy through regular maintenance, turning daily chores green and environmentally-friendly cooking. Using the hashtags #StayGreen #Qatar, QGBC is informing residents about the importance of incorporating simple and practical steps into their daily lives in order to stay cool and conserve energy.

“Regularly maintaining air conditioning units, dishwashers, air filters and other appliances is crucial in saving energy, maximising performance and saving money. For example, periodic cleaning of AC units will help airflow, which in turn will save a considerable amount of energy. Installing reflective solar panels, awnings and patio covers will also help in keeping houses cooler and saving energy on AC usage,” explained Dr Alex Amato, Head of Sustainability at QGBC. “In the kitchen, water can be saved by washing dishes in the dishwasher rather than by hand.”

The campaign, which coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, also offers residents helpful recommendations for effectively preparing and consuming food and reducing food waste. “This blessed month is a perfect opportunity to take a closer look at how we purchase and dispose of food. Some tips to keep in mind are avoiding grocery shopping when hungry, which can lead to buying around a third more food items than needed.  The same goes for cooking. We can also reduce food wastage during Ramadan by saving leftovers from Iftar and enjoying them later for Suhoor. These practices will help to conserve resources and protect the environment,” added QGBC Director Al Shamari. 

QGBC, a member of Qatar Foundation, is a non-profit, membership-driven organization dedicated to advocating green building solutions, leading industry research, as well as promoting sustainable practice in the community. Through QGBC, Qatar has joined a network of 80 different countries that run active national green building councils under the umbrella of the World Green Building Council.