Carbon dioxide emissions in Qatar ‘modest’

11/07/2009 00:00 AST

Qatar’s overall carbon dioxide emissions are relatively modest compared to the other high-income oil producing countries. Out of the total global carbon emissions, only about 0.2 per cent is attributed to Qatar.

Qatar ranked 60th for total carbon dioxide emission as per 2006 data; but ranked first for per capita emission just because of its small population, the country’s just released Human Development Report said.

Qatar is disadvantaged by having a production-based emissions attributed to it. The country’s emission data would be greatly reduced if a consumption-based accounting system was followed. The document which called for a fairer measurement of the country’s emission said Qatar’s standing as the world’s number-one per capita emitter of carbon dioxide is partly a function of the method of measurement together with its status as one of the world’s major producers.

“The reported emission data for Qatar employ a production-based emissions accounting methodology. Because of its large production and small population, Qatar’s per capita carbon emission are very high. Qatar is disadvantaged by having these production-based emissions attributed to it. Qatar’s emissions data would be greatly reduced if a consumption-based accounting system was followed”, Qatar’s second human development report said.

The major contributors to Qatar’s emissions are energy and manufacturing industries and electricity and heat production for desalination, which together accounted for about 90 percent of emissions. Transportation contributed 8 percent of the emissions. Since then, the industrial share of emissions can be expected to have increased due to the rapid expansion of gas processing and manufacturing.

On the major features of GHG emissions in Qatar, the document said, total GHG (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) emissions in CO2 equivalent exceeded 59,700 kilotonnes in 2006. This was an increase of 47 percent over 2001. Most of the GHG emissions were in the form of CO2.

This increase were mainly attributed to expansion of upstream oil and gas operations, increased road transport and construction activities; and accelerated growth in the electricity and water services.

In 2006, the oil and gas industry accounted for about 70 percent of the total national GHG emissions; about 60 percent points are due to upstream operations and the remaining 10 percent points are from downstream activities including the petrochemical industry, petroleum refining and cement productions.

Two other major sources of GHG emissions that are related to population growth, increase in construction and vehicle use were electricity and water sector which significantly increased it s contribution to the national total; and the road transport and building and construction sector.

Two other major sources of GHG emissions that are related to population growth, increase in construction and vehicle use were electricity and water sector which significantly increased it s contribution to the national total; and the road transport and building and construction sector.

The Peninsula