MIDDLE EAST – Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8) on 26 November to 7 December, with an estimated 17,000 delegates attending the Doha round of climate talks.
“Hosting COP18/CMP8 is an opportunity to showcase Qatar’s environmentally-friendly venue, from the design and technology of the building through to our takeaway food packaging,” says GM of QNCC Adam Mather-Brown. “Energy efficiency was a specific consideration during the design and build phase of the project. The centre was designed and built to the highest environmental standards and conceived with a focus on sustainability, a feature that complements the objectives of COP18/CMP8.”
The centre’s design includes 3,500sqm of solar paneling which QNCC claims will provide up to 13.5 per cent of the its energy needs across the complex each day during the COP18/CMP8 climate talks. The roof’s solar energy system produces 1,225 MWh of electricity and offsets 1,140 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, which QNCC says equates to 40.8 MWh of electricity produced during the 12 days of the conference.
QNCC will be using biodegradable and environmentally-friendly food packaging for the 21 ‘grab and go’ food outlets that will cater for delegates and visitors during the conference. C02 neutral and biologically degradable items that will be used include 37,500 bowls made from Sugar Cane residue, 20,200 salad bowls and 30,000 drinking cups made from starch and 12,000 knives, forks and spoons along with 150,000 coffee cups made from natural cellulose.
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