Qatar National Convention Centre to deliver COP18/CMP8’s green message

THE Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) will set an example of how ‘green’ MICE events can be when the eco-friendly venue, built to be 32 per cent more energy efficient than buildings of similar size, scope and usage, hosts the UN Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8).

COP18/CMP8 is scheduled to run from November 26 to December 7 and draw an estimated 17,000 participants.

QNCC, which is fitted with 3,500m2 of solar panelling, will provide up to 12.5 per cent of the centre’s energy needs or 40.8MWh in total, during the conference.

The centre has also prepared environmentally-friendly food packaging for 21 ‘grab and go’ food outlets for delegates and visitors during the event, with bowls made from sugar cane residue, salad bowls and drinking cups for cold drinks from natural starch, as well as cutlery and coffee cups from natural cellulose.

Adam Mather-Brown, general manager, QNCC, said: “Energy efficiency was a specific consideration during the design and build phase of the project. Qatar has a desert climate and cooling systems are of paramount importance. 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.

“Its use of solar power is an innovative way to reduce the building’s impact on the planet, a benefit that is very relevant for this event.”

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