A/HRC/44/44/Add.1 played an important role in the State’s action on climate change; the hosting of an “environmentally friendly” and carbon-neutral FIFA 2022 Word Cup using solar power in stadiums and cooling and lighting technology characterized by the economical use of water and energy bore witness to that role. 23. Within the framework of the draft declaration on the right to international solidarity, Qatar has demonstrated reactive solidarity by taking certain measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Independent Expert learned that the national oil and gas company, Qatar Petroleum, had for 15 years been committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and that the resulting decrease had been significant. The State took the measures as follow-up on a review conducted by Qatar Petroleum of all offshore and onshore facilities to identify ways to eliminate gas flaring from their operations. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which is responsible for overseeing the State’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup, including the construction of stadiums, informed the Independent Expert that mitigating and reducing carbon emissions was a priority, as reflected in the Green Generation Initiative, 19 and that it would also be purchasing carbon offset credits. According to information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar has also extended financial support and solidarity to small island States disproportionately affected by climate change. 24. With respect to preventive solidarity, Qatar co-founded the Global Green Growth Institute, a treaty-based international, intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies, and has helped to fund its projects in developing countries. The creation of Qatar Rail, operational since May 2019, reflects efforts to increase low carbon-emitting public transportation options. The Ministry of Municipalities and the Environment also provided information to the Independent Expert about the Government’s decision to acquire technology to improve the production efficiency of a water desalination plant that is in use in Qatar, thereby reducing emissions. Using resources from the Qatar National Research Fund, the Ministry has been designing projects aimed at increasing sustainability in the construction industry. 25. In the area of international cooperation, Qatar hosted the eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2012,20 and has participated in every Conference of the Parties since. Qatar ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2017. The Government informed the Independent Expert that Qatar remains engaged with the Framework Convention and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 26. The Independent Expert nevertheless notes that Qatar remains heavily reliant on natural gas, and to a lesser extent on oil, both of which serve as the State’s main economic engine and source of revenue.21 Given these circumstances, the Independent Expert appeals for a paradigm shift towards renewable energy and combating climate change. In this regard, he refers to the Qatar National Vision 2030 programme, which calls for a balance between development and environmental protection. Furthermore, as Qatar prepares to host the 2020 World Cup, the Independent Expert underscores the imperative that domestic development be undertaken sustainably in order to reflect human rights-based solidarity. The World Cup stadium currently being constructed as a “recyclable” stadium could serve as a creative example of this approach, which could be replicated.22 Generally, however, recycling is minimal in Qatar; more effort should therefore be made to encourage and systematize it throughout this small country. 19 20 21 22 See www.qatar2022.qa/en/opportunities/generation-amazing/green-generation. See FCCC/CP/2012/8. Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook, Qatar (2019) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/qa.html India Block, “Qatar's shipping-container football stadium can be taken apart and reassembled after the match”, De Zeen, 7 December 2017. 7