Climate change in focus at Doha conference

November 26

While its outcome was either modest or disappointing, depending on who you asked, the 18th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change had a serious effect on the Arabian Gulf region.

That is because, for the first time, the high-profile annual meeting was held in a Arabian Gulf country – Qatar.

From November 26 until December 8, the governments of 194 countries, including the hosts, convened in Doha to discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid catastrophic climate change.

While a solution is still years away, the event helped raise awareness on climate issues.

Activists welcomed the debate as a first step towards a more active role for Arab governments in tackling climate change. With initiatives such as creating the clean-energy company, Masdar, the UAE is seen as a pioneer among Arabian Gulf governments on climate issues.