Qatar - Environmental Issues

Environmental Issues

For two decades Qatar has had the highest per-capita carbon dioxide emissions in the world, at 49.1 metric tons per person (2008). This is almost double the next highest per-capita emitting country, which is Kuwait at 30.1 metric tons (2008) and they are three times those of the United States. Other sources state that by 2007, Qatar’s emission rate increased to 69 tons per person per year. Qatar had the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions for the past 18 years. These emissions are largely due to high rates of energy use in Qatar. Major uses of energy in Qatar include air conditioning, natural gas processing, water desalination and electricity production. Between 1995 and 2011 the electricity generating capacity of Qatar will have increased to six times the previous level. The fact that Qataris do not have to pay for either their water or electricity supplies is thought to contribute to their high rate of energy use. They are also one of the highest consumers of water per capita per day, using around 400 litres.