Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna, highlights why a new sustainability framework is needed for hot and arid countries and the unique challenges faced by these countries
Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2023: Existing global sustainability frameworks don’t take into account the reality of countries like Qatar which sit on the harshest desert on the planet, and with minimal biocapacity. Is it then fair, or even logical, to rank countries like Qatar and the Republic of Congo – one of the most biologically important forest ecosystems on the planet – using the same sustainability frameworks?
“Vastly diverse ecosystems mean the journey towards a sustainable future should and will look different for different countries – one that should be shaped by questions that fully consider the unique challenges in each country or region and tailor solutions accordingly,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF).
“We can’t import practices, solutions, or even policies from countries that are very different from us in terms of their ecology. Instead, we have to reframe the questions and discussions so we can come up with local solutions to create a sustainability framework that works for us. And that is precisely what the upcoming Earthna summit will focus on.”
Titled, ‘Building New Sustainability Pathways for Hot and Arid Environments’, the summit will take place in Msheireb Downtown Doha on 8-9 March and is organized by Earthna in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Its four main streams will focus on creating new sustainability frameworks for hot and arid environments; food security, adaptation and resilience; climate and energy; and biodiversity, ecosystems and indigenous knowledge.
A unique aspect of the summit will be its emphasis on weaving indigenous knowledge into all its streams, as it provides a platform for experts and policymakers in sustainability to learn from and exchange knowledge with those who know their countries best – their indigenous peoples. Through this, the summit aims to bring renewed focus to examining ancestral practices, and how they can potentially support plans for advancing sustainability in the world of today – reflecting the fact that hot and arid climates have been part of the fabric of our planet for centuries, and so the past holds knowledge that can serve the present and future.
“Indigenous communities have developed practices that allow them to live with and from nature by respecting natural resources and cultural values. Some of these practices are still relevant today” said Dr. Castro de la Mata.
He highlighted that often when looking for solutions, we find ourselves focusing solely on the latest modern technologies, which of course are important, but equally important is “learning from adaptive practices that have developed throughout hundreds of years and can provide insights in the modern context.”
By creating communication and collaboration opportunities between the traditional knowledge that has been collected over hundreds of years through direct contact with the environment, lived experiences and extensive observations – scientists, researchers, and technology developers, the summit will aim to facilitate the creation of new knowledge that could not be created through the efforts of either group alone, and will contribute to the creation of new and important pathways for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Speaking specifically on the different challenges faced by hot and arid countries, he explained that because of the harsh conditions, their natural environment is less productive and therefore unable to sustain the economy, and so many of these countries, including Qatar and other neighboring countries, have developed economies that are based primarily on hydrocarbons.
“Now, if we look to the future, we know sustainability is about diversifying economies. So, for countries in this region that rely primarily on hydrocarbons to sustain their economy, the biggest challenge is figuring out what their pathway to having a diversified economy will look like,” said Dr. Castro de la Mata.
Dr. Castro de la Mata is confident that through the inaugural Earthna summit, which will bring together all the different players, including the private sector, government sector, academics, researchers, policymakers, and the indigenous community, “we will be able to start the development of a new understanding when it comes to sustainability and trigger new dialogues. All of which will contribute to creating a new sustainability framework tailored to our needs, created by us.”
Six sessions at the upcoming Earthna Summit will be open to the public. Registration to these sessions can be done through http://www.earthna.qa/registration-public-sessions. The Summit will host the “Earthna Village” at Barahat Msheireb that is also open to the public which will showcase an exhibition of indigenous, sustainable practices that span cultural, environmental, and social sustainability. Additionally, the exhibition's agora section will host practitioners to hold short, interactive discussions with the audience about their exhibits.