Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director, Earthna
Doha, Qatar: In a significant move towards safeguarding rich biodiversity and ecosystems, Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future (Earthna) of Qatar Foundation is working on comprehensive initiatives aimed at understanding, protecting, and restoring the natural environment.
Only a few days are left until the June 30 deadline to submit applications or nominate an organisation that uses traditional practices to tackle environmental challenges in water resource management, food security, land stewardship, and sustainable urbanism for the first the Earthna Prize.
Four winning projects will share a total prize of $1m. The prize aims to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.
Since its establishment, Earthna is working in five areas on sustainability frameworks and the circular economy, energy transition and climate change, biodiversity and ecosystems, cities and the built environment, education, ethics and faith.
According to Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director, Earthna convened leading experts both domestically and globally to compile an exhaustive compendium of knowledge on the Qatar’s ecosystems and biodiversity. This pioneering effort has culminated in a forthcoming publication and the policy statement which shed light on various facets of Qatar’s natural heritage.
Dr. Mata has said that Earthna will soon release a book with several chapters focusing on Qatar’s ecosystems and biodiversity.
While the publication is undergoing final preparations for its launch in the coming months, Earthna has already taken proactive steps.
A policy note, summarising the key findings and recommendations from the upcoming book, is set to be issued. This document aims to distill the essence of Qatar’s biodiversity and ecosystem status, emphasising pivotal areas such as the marine environment, desert resilience, and the crucial role of rural landscapes.
“The marine environment plays a vital role in Qatar’s ecological balance, while our desert hosts remarkably resilient species crucial for our ecosystem,” highlighted Dr. Mata.
Central to Qatar’s conservation efforts is a landmark mangrove restoration project, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Qatar University. This initiative combines cutting-edge research with practical restoration strategies aimed at revitalising Qatar’s mangrove habitats.
“Mangroves are invaluable in mitigating the impacts of rise in sea level, providing critical protection to Qatar’s coastline,” affirmed Dr. Mata. “This project underscores our commitment to sustainable environmental stewardship.”
