Sara El-Sallabi, Zaid Ammar, Lolwa Al-Kaabi, Al-Anoud Al-Mesalem, Hitansh Murgai,

Haya Al-Hajri
Team 3
ENGL 210-501
Dr. Mary Queen

Problem

Over the past 50 years, a substantial collection of data has arisen demonstrating the
detrimental consequences of air pollution on human health, the climate, and the
accompanying economic costs (Al-Farra, 2021). Air pollution can be categorized into
two main groups, local and global; while global air pollution refers to dirty air in various
locations around the world, local air pollution refers to unclean air concentrated in one
specific location. Since air travels without boundaries, air pollution is not only a local
issue but also a national and international one that calls for legislation at each of these
levels to lessen its adverse effects on each of us as well as the environment (Al-Farra,
2021).

Due to significant global economic expansion and infrastructure development

accompanied by the thriving of the oil and gas industries, air quality over the Arabian
Peninsula has drawn major attention during the past 15 years (Farahat, 2016). The air
pollution in Qatar is increasing, especially with all the projects, traffic congestion, and
the oil and gas industries. In addition, due to the region's expanding oil, natural gas
discoveries, and rising energy demands, the Arabian Peninsula is experiencing a rise in
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, which both arise from burning
coal and oil, due to this excessive energy use (Farahat, 2016). The rise in NO2 and SO2
emissions causes rain to become acid rain, which has adverse effects on the
environment, including death of plants, and disruption of ecosystems. Hence, due to
various environmental effects, the growing problem of air pollution is one of importance.

There are various factors contributing to Qatar’s air pollution, including the oil and gas
industries, industrial manufacturing, and wastes. However, the biggest threat to air
quality comes from the energy sector since as of 2016, the energy sector contributes to
the majority of Qatar’s air pollution, in addition to industrial manufacturing and wastes
(Lanouar et al., 2016). The energy sector comprises of oil, gas in liquefied form, and
vehicle pollutants. Moreover, in term of carbon dioxide emission, Qatar ranks the first in
the world per capita (World Bank Indicators, 2011). Additionally, with the upcoming
2022 World Cup, air pollution is expected to increase due to the increasing in the
number new projects including construction of new buildings, metros, and stadiums, all
of which require substantial amounts of energy (Lanouar et al., 2016). However, there is
still room to reduce the air pollution in Qatar for people to have better air quality and
substantial health benefits.
Purpose

In order to offer a solution that reduces air pollution, this study aims to investigate how
the oil and gas sectors are the main causes of air pollution in Qatar, as well as how that
interferes with the sustainability of the nation's environment. Although there are many
variables that contribute to air pollution, the energy sector, particularly the oil and gas
industries, will be the focus of our analysis due to th eir major contribution. In order to
find the most effective solution, we will expand our research by analyzing and
comparing the potential solutions being implemented around the world.

Scope

Due to their abundant natural oil supplies, the United States, Russia, and the GCC are
prime examples of how air pollution undermines a nation's ability to preserve its
environment, especially when the energy sector is involved. Additionally, while we will
be examining how various countries researched the problem of air pollution, our scope
is how we can implement the most effect solution in Qatar, keeping in mind which
solutions work for best for Qatar and which don’t.

Objectives

Considering we will not create a solution for Qatar, our goal is to compare and analyze
possible solutions which could be implemented by Qatar to reduce its air pollution and
won't interfere with Qatar’s economic sustainability while preserving its environment for
future generations. There are various factors which need to be met for the solution to be
effective, efficient, and sustainable, which are in terms of economic sustainability, social
sustainability, environmental sustainability, and time.

In terms of economic sustainability, the solution should increase Qatar’s economic

sustainability by diversifying its sources of income, due to Qatar’s heavy reliance on the
economic benefits from the oil and gas industries.

Additionally, to preserve the social sustainability of Qatar, the solution should not impact
the states social sustainability by changing the everyday activities, such as cutting off
energy (electricity) for certain periods.

Furthermore, by allowing for Qatar to filter out it’s natural gas and oil for energy
consumption in less harmful and more efficient ways, it offers the state higher
environmental sustainability. The same solution should lead to the reduction of air
pollution on a national scale.

Considering air pollution increases as time passes, as per Qatar’s National Vision 2030,
the solution should be in place by 2030.
We will know we achieved our goal through interviews with officials from the Ministry of
Environment and Climate Change as well as the Ministry of Health and interviews with
faculty at Texas A&M specializing in air pollution, oil and gas industries, and climate
change. The interviews with various professionals who will also look at the criteria
mentioned above will highlight whether we achieved our goal or not.

Previous & Current Research

Qatar has the thirteenth highest level of air pollution worldwide (IQAir, 2021), which
poses a threat to the country’s environmental sustainability as well as the population's
health. Firstly, the environmental effects include acid rain, eutrophication, haze,
detrimental effects on wildlife, ozone depletion, crop and forest damage, and global
climate change (Lok Wu, 2022). In addition, air pollution equally has detrimental effects
on human health. These effects include lung disease, cancer, heart disease or even
premature death (Bener, 2009). The importance of finding a sustainable solution for air
pollution is also due to the high prevalence of asthma in Qatari kids, and the increase
respiratory diseases in adults (Lanouar et al., 2016).

While air pollution is a global problem, there are certain countries which especially have
high rates such as China, USA, India, Japan and Russia. China for instance is
responsible for approximately 30% of the total world emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)
and other air pollutants (WPR, 2020). Additionally, the USA emits 14% of global
emissions per year. Moreover, CO2 emission in China reached around 10,065 million
tons and the USA releases approximately 5,416 million tons of CO2 (WPR, 2020). In
addition, India releases around 2,654 million tons of CO2 (WPR, 2020). Furthermore,
Qatar emits high amounts of CO2 into the air with 35.64 tons per capita according to
studies done in 2020 (WPR, 2020).

As highlighted, air pollution is a global problem due to the energy sector, industrial
manufacturing, and waste. In particular, the Gulf countries, including Qatar suffer from
air pollution due to their natural oil reserves and their manufacturing of gas and oil to
supply it in large quantities to various countries (Farahat, 2016). The energy sector’s
contribution to air pollution has in creased in the past decade as a result of the
implementation of numerous projects for World Cup preparation, including building a
new airport, metro, and stadiums (Lanouar et al., 2016).

The oil and gas industry (the energy sector), make up 58.3% of Qatar’s nominal GDP in
2011, which is primarily responsible for the country’s economic growth (Lanouar et al.,
2016). While Qatar recognizes the importance of bettering its air quality, as highlighted
in its 2030 national vision, the issue remains due to Qatar’s lack of economic
diversification, its dependency on fossil fuels and hydrocarbons, and its reliance on the
economic income from its oil and gas industries.

Air pollution is a problem countries struggle with on a global scale. However, our team is
mainly focusing on reducing and treating the air pollution in Qatar. As a developing
country, Qatar is concerned about how air pollution will affect the future of its citizens
and residents, as mentioned its 2030 national vision .

Previous Solutions

When ideating possible solutions that will reduce Qatar’s air pollution, it is important to
consider how it may impact the country economically, and how Qatar could still filter its
natural oil and gas in efficient and less harmful ways.

On a global scale, there are solutions put in place such as the sustainable development
goals (SDGs) assigned by the United Nations, specifically SDGs 7 and 13. SDG 7 is
related to affordable and clean energy which reduces emissions (SDG7: Affordable and
Clean Energy and SDG13: Climate Action, n.d.) Opting to cleaner energy minimizes
emissions and using energy from renewable sources can be more efficient, costing less
money and less emissions. Moreover, SDG 13 which is directly related to emissions
tackles the idea of climate action considering emissions play a major role in climate
change as we are currently witnessing a vast increase in temperature over the world
due to high GHGs emissions especially CO2 and methane (SDG7: Affordable and Clean
Energy and SDG13: Climate Action, n.d.).

Many policies regarding these goals are being implemented by countries, taxes are
being imposed on the allowable levels of emissions from industries (Actions You Can
Take to Reduce Air Pollution | Ground-level Ozone | New England, n.d.). Even the food
sector is a great contributor to emissions, which is why awareness campaigns to meat
consumption are increasing lately (Actions You Can Take to Reduce Air Pollution |
Ground-level Ozone | New England, n.d.).

Additionally, around 71 countries are adopting policies related to importing cars that
reduce emissions to meet the European standards for emissions (Governments Are
Increasingly Adopting Policies on Air Quality, but Significant Gaps Hinder Global
Progress Towards Cleaner Air, n.d.). Other policies such as policies related to cleaner
and eco-friendly production are being adopted in more than 100 countries over the
world (Governments Are Increasingly Adopting Policies on Air Quality, but Significant
Gaps Hinder Global Progress Towards Cleaner Air, n.d.). Clean cooking and heating
are also introduced to decrease emissions in 95 countries. Also, restricting burning solid
wastes including landfill gas capture and improving the ways of collecting, separating
and disposing wastes (Governments Are Increasingly Adopting Policies on Air Quality,
but Significant Gaps Hinder Global Progress Towards Cleaner Air, n.d.).

In addition, Europe has been consuming renewable energy, in the form of solar energy,
wind energy and other forms, at an increased rate the past two decades. Without this
increased rate, the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions would have been 18% higher in
2018 (Renewable Energy, n.d.). Additionally, in 2017, the increase in renewable energy
use since 2005 lead to a 7% drop in SO2 emissions and 1% drop in NOx (Renewable
Energy, n.d.).
In Qatar, a research program on air quality has been developed by the Environment and
Sustainability Center at QEERI. The program's strategy enables new discoveries, builds
capability, and aims to support national policy directives in Qatar on particle air pollution
(Al-Farra, 2021). QEERI has recently started a strategy aiming to quantify the chemical
composition of atmospheric aerosols and to assess their temporal and spatial variability
(Al-Farra, 2021).

In order to safeguard its natural resources and promote sustainable development, Qatar
has previously implemented several laws. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment
(MME)'s plan for future environmental preservation, however, will enhance efforts both
within the State of Qatar and beyond the region. (Hukoomi, 2020).

An additional solution includes the government, among other corporations, enacting

new rules requiring businesses in the hydrocarbon and its derivative industries to adopt
procedures that lower CO2 emissions from their operations and levying fin es on
offenders (Lanouar et al., 2016).

Another highly recommended measure that keeps the required solution -type in mind is
to reduce the reliance of electricity generation on fossil fuels and alternatively generate
it from renewable energy sources which are more environmentally friendly (Weber,
2013).

Furthermore, Qatar aims towards achieving 20% generation of domestic electricity

demand from renewable sources by 2030 (Eversheds and Earnest & Young, 2013).
However, given that Qatar has the highest GDP per capita and most of the GDP comes
from the oil and gas sector, thus implementing regulations on energy use would harm
the economy. Therefore, reducing the reliance on the oil and gas sector by replacing it
with other sources of income will help foster economic development.

User Needs

To choose possible sustainable solutions to decrease the air pollution in Qatar it is

important to understand what is currently in place, how Qatar is benefiting from the oil
and gas industries, and how those benefits are leading to air pollution.

As stated in the previous solutions section, Qatar is currently working on possible

solutions to reduce the air pollution in the state. However, it is important to note that
these possible solutions need to be both environmentally and economically sustainable.
While Qatar is aiming to move toward renewable energy in the form of solar energy by
2030 for at least 20% of its energy, there will be design constraints to this solution.

Therefore, for an efficient and effective solution, the needs of the state including
economic, social, and environmental sustainability must be met. This includes the
solution of not making the country economically vulnerable to a decline in its income,
the solution sustaining Qatar’s environment for future generation , as well as the solution
still allowing for the filtering of the states' natural gas and oil in a safer manner.
Design Constraints

The Qatari government's capacity to select a sustainable solution to its air pollution is
constrained by several factors. For example, a major solution which other countries are
using includes using renewable energy, such as Germany, and how 46% of its energy
in 2019 came from wind solar, biomass, and hydroelectric sources (Energy Resource
Guide - Germany - Renewable Energy, n.d.). While solar energy is a viable solution ,
there are factors which constrain the possibility of the effectiveness of this solution such
as moving toward solar energy and decreasing the amount of oil and gas filtered which
in turn make Qatar’s economy vulnerable to decrease in GDP which will also have a
social impact. Additionally, there are high amounts of dust in Qatar all year round, and
the accumulation of dust, soot, or other particulates causes a drop in the efficiency of
photovoltaic (PV) panels, which translates to a decline in the amount of power produced
and lost income for their operators (Scientists Studying Solar Try Solving a Dusty
Problem, n.d.).

Additionally, the solution to air pollution should be sustainable and long term. At the
same time, it should be possible for the government to apply the solution across the
whole country in a uniform way. The solution should be efficient in time and cost as it
should not take longer than eight years, by 2030, to implement, and the cost should not
put Qatar’s economy in a vulnerable position.
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