By: The peninsula

During his visit to Doha, the Secretary-General of Sweden’s Climate Policy Council, Ola Alterå, stated that Qatar is positioned to play a significant role in bridging global efforts towards sustainable energy systems.

In an interview, Alterå commended Qatar's proactive stance on climate issues, noting the country, like Sweden, is "small but globally active." He suggested that Qatar's established diplomatic role as a mediator could be extended to climate diplomacy, helping to bridge differences in global efforts. He pointed to Qatar's National Climate Change Action Plan and its growing investments in renewable energy as evidence of a deepening commitment to international climate cooperation. Alterå added that demonstrating how renewable energies can be integrated with natural gas systems and carbon storage would provide a valuable model for other nations.

His itinerary in Qatar included meetings with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar’s chief negotiator for UN climate talks, and policy centers such as the Qatar Foundation’s Earthna. Alterå expressed that the visit was an opportunity to learn about regional developments and bring those insights back to Sweden, noting this was his first trip to Qatar.

Alterå emphasized the crucial nature of international partnerships, specifically between Europe and the Middle East, to accelerate the green transition. He stated that while Europe has been active in climate negotiations, the Middle East has made impressive investments in research and diversification, creating a natural area for collaboration.

He identified several potential areas for Nordic-Gulf cooperation, including renewable electricity markets, waste-to-energy projects, and district cooling systems, where he noted Qatar's existing initiatives could benefit from Swedish expertise.

Explaining his own country's framework, Alterå outlined the role of Sweden's Climate Policy Council as an independent body that acts as both a watchdog and an advisor to ensure the government meets its climate targets. He shared that Sweden's ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2045 has driven progress that was both faster and more cost-effective than anticipated, proving beneficial to the nation's economy and competitiveness. He concluded by stressing that such achievements are only possible through openness and international collaboration, not isolation.

On the policy front, Alterå pointed to heavy industries such as steelmaking and cement as key focus areas for future cooperation. “These hard-to-abate sectors are where the next big changes must happen,” he said, noting that Sweden’s progress in fossil-free steelmaking aligns with Qatar’s research into carbon capture and storage.

Reflecting on similarities between the two nations, Alterå remarked that both Sweden and Qatar have managed to build prosperity in harsh climates. “What took us more than a hundred years, Qatar has achieved in a few decades,” he said. 

“While this has been driven by the fossil economy, it’s encouraging to see the country now striving to lead the next phase of the transition.” 
Alterå also had a message for young people who are increasingly taking the lead in climate action. He said climate change is already reshaping the world and will affect everyone, especially in vulnerable regions.  

“We already know much of what needs to be done and it’s exciting work. The technologies exist, but we need innovation to make systems connect. There will be many opportunities for this generation to make it happen and create something more sustainable for them and the next generation,” he said.  

Alterå concluded on a hopeful note, “Some days, the situation can feel daunting, but change is happening on a large scale. That gives reason for optimism.”