Environment Statistics of Qatar: Vision and goals

1. II Environment Statistics of Qatar: Vision and goals Supporting (not only) QNDS 2011-2016 and the Environmental Sector Strategy 2011-2016

2. What is Environment Statistics? Environment statistics describe the state and changes of environmental conditions, the quality and availability of environmental resources, the human activities and natural events that have a direct impact on the environment, the impact of changing environmental conditions, as well as the social and economic measures taken by societies to avoid or mitigate these impacts and to restore and maintain the capacity of the environment to provide the services that are essential for life and human wellbeing.(draft FDES, paragraph 1.2)

3. Objectives of Environment Statistics of Qatar • Production of official environment statistics on a regular basis. • Supporting evidence-based policy and decision making based on QV 2030 and QNDS 2011-2016 with official statistics on the environment • Supporting awareness raising concerning the environment by providing information for the general public, as well as for specific user groups (QNDS 2011-2016) • Supporting other national and international needs related to environmental information • Environment statistics are part of the National Statistics System (NSS) • Qatar Statistics Authority has the overall responsibility and mandate to produce official environment statistics by • Involving all relevant stakeholders (producers and users of data) • Using international standards for environment statistics and quality frameworks • Developing business rules and tools for efficient data sharing in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders

4. Qatari Environment Statistics Vision (draft) Environment statistics provide the foundation for evidence-based policy and decision making as well as for awareness raising concerning environmental issues. The Qatar Statistics Authority maintains the National Statistics System which provides the official Environment Statistics of the State of Qatar on a regular basis and according to international classifications and quality standards. The environment statistics serve multiple national and international purposes in a coherent way. The National Statistics System involves all relevant national producers of environmental data and reviews the information needs of the data users continuously.

5. Environment Statistics becoming a part of the National Statistical System Trade • Trade Oil &Gas • Oil &Gas Finance • Finance Labor • Environment • Oil &Gas QSA • Environment Health • Health Culture Culture Education • Education

6. Environment Statistics becoming a part of the National Statistical System Environment

7. Indicators Analytical & monitoring frameworks (DPSIR, MDG, thematic or issue based Accounting Systems (SEEA) Environment Statistics of Qatar (Qatari Framework QFES) We need a common framework to be consistent, coherent and efficient QNDS 2011 - 2016 State of Environment Reports (UNEP-ROWA, Arab League) Green Growth Ecological Footprint MDG Etc. . UNSD Environment Questionnaire . SNA . Environmental data from different sources (statistical and non-statistical)

8. Environmental Development in the QV 2030A Balance Between Development Needs and Protecting the Environment The 4 Pillars of the QV 2030 • Human Development • Social Development • Economic Development • Environmental Development

9. Qatar’s policies are based on Sustainable Development

10. Environmental Development in the QV 2030A Balance Between Development Needs and Protecting the Environment Preserving and protecting the environment, including air, land, water and biological diversity, through: • An environmentally aware population • An agile and comprehensive legal system • Effective and sophisticated environmental institutions • A comprehensive urban development plan for Qatar • Encouragement of regional cooperation • A proactive and significant international role in assessing the impact of climate change and mitigating its negative impacts

11. Priority environmental topicsQNDS 2011-2016 and Environmental Sector Strategy 2011-2016 • Water: Cleaner water and sustainable use • Air quality and air pollution: Cleaner air and effective climate change responses • Waste: Reduced waste, more recycling and more efficient use • Biodiversity: Nature and natural heritage conserved, protected and sustainably managed • Human habitat: More sustainable urbanization and a healthier living environment • Awareness raising: An increasingly environmentally aware population • Governance and cooperation: Improved governance and regional and international cooperation

12. Conclusions • Environment Statistics at QSA should • Be based on a national framework • Provide environmental information for QNDS and Env. Sector Strategy and other purposes (national and international reporting obligations, environmental information,…) in a coherent way • Cover all identified priority topics (water, waste, air quality, climate change, biodiversity, human habitat) • Be developed and maintained in cooperation with national stakeholders • The Qatari Framework on Environment Statistics (QFES) should • Consider environment policy priorities and be expanded and reviewed regularly • Ensure the management of data from various sources according to statistical rules, concepts and definitions • Facilitate integration of data • Facilitate multiple use of data • Consider national classifications and standards • Be based on international (UN) standards

13. Thank you for your attention! michael.nagy@qsa.gov.qa