Doha, Qatar, April 27, 2021: The Qatar Olympic Committee announced on Monday, April 26, that it has joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Sports for Climate Action initiative.
By becoming a signatory to the UN initiative, the Qatar Olympic Committee reinforces its commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promises to play an active role in ensuring the sports sector is on the path to a low-carbon future.
In line with the recommendations of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 strategic plan, the QOC will aim to inspire its athletes, fans and all stakeholders to address climate change and take meaningful action towards climate neutrality.
QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said: “We are proud to sign up to the UN’s Climate for Action initiative and to take another step forward in our commitment to minimising our overall climate impact.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that environmental sustainability is embedded within our organisation and reflected in everything that we do. But we know that there is a lot more we can do and this framework will help establish a clear structure against which we can measure our progress.”
The QOC’s commitment to the Sports for Climate Action Framework comes as Qatar stands at the forefront of change and is developing world-leading programmes and research to support the country’s transition from a carbon economy to a sustainable, climate-positive economy. The role of stimulating innovation in this area has already been evidenced by Qatar’s preparations to host the first-ever carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup in 2022.
“In Qatar we are fortunate to have access to world-leading innovations and research in this area. It is important that we leverage this at the QOC, but we must also use our platform to advocate for greater climate action and encourage others to promote greater environmental responsibility,” Sheikh Joaan added.
In line with the five core principles enshrined in the Framework and the aims of the Paris Agreement, the QOC will strive for:
(1) promote greater environmental responsibility;
(2) reduce the overall climate impact from sports;
(3) use our platform to educate for climate action;
(4) promote sustainable and responsible consumption; and
(5) advocate for climate action through our communications.
As a Sports for Climate Action signatory, the QOC will also report on progress with its commitments which will be supplied by the UNFCCC.
