Doha, August 06 (QNA) - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), represented by the Environmental Assessment and Permit Department, has called on project owners in the country to comply with environmental assessment requirements and obtain the necessary environmental permits before undertaking any operational or support activities. This is to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development in the country.

Head of the Environmental Assessment and Permit Department Eng. Ahmed Abdulkarim Al Ibrahim explained that environmental assessment is a key tool for identifying and evaluating the potential environmental impacts of projects and activities. This helps reduce negative environmental impacts and achieve a balance between economic development requirements and the protection of environmental resources.

Speaking on the various assessment procedures, Eng. Al Ibrahim noted that it includes identifying the positive and negative impacts of projects, measuring their magnitude and impact on the natural, social, and economic environment, and proposing the necessary measures to mitigate harmful impacts and follow up on their implementation through monitoring and evaluation programs after the project is operational.

He emphasized that obtaining environmental permits is a fundamental step to comply with national regulations and a key contributor to achieving sustainable development goals. It also ensures the availability of accurate scientific data to support informed decisions on whether to proceed with, modify, or halt projects when necessary. He highlighted the importance of project and facility compliance with environmental permit procedures for operational and supporting activities, such as slurry collection basins from tunneling work, geotechnical and groundwater investigations, water discharge, whether into basins or the sea, as well as temporary and mobile units for wastewater treatment, temporary offices, and both permanent and temporary facilities for ready-mix concrete and asphalt production.

Al Ibrahim also noted that the Ministry provides comprehensive oversight and monitoring services to study environmental permit applications, review environmental impact studies, conduct necessary inspections to verify compliance with requirements, issue approvals and permits, and monitor compliance throughout the project period. He called on all relevant parties to cooperate and communicate early with the Ministry before implementing any operational or support work or equipment, to avoid environmental violations or exposure to legal action. He emphasized the Ministry's continued provision of technical support and guidance to facilitate evaluation procedures and obtain permits in accordance with best practices.

The Head of the Environmental Assessment and Permit Department emphasized the Ministry's commitment to enhancing environmental protection and achieving sustainable development by applying the highest technical and regulatory standards, ensuring the public interest and preserving the country's environmental resources for future generations.

It's worth noting that MECC's Environmental Assessment and Permit Department plays a pivotal role in protecting the environment by preparing environmental requirements for projects and facilities, reviewing environmental impact studies, and issuing the necessary permits. It also assesses environmental damage and accredits environmental consultants and contractors, in coordination with the relevant authorities. This ensures that projects comply with environmental standards and achieve sustainable development in the country. (QNA)