Living more sustainably isn’t as hard in Qatar as in most other countries. Many apartments for rent are already equipped with smart cooling systems and LED lighting, and two-thirds of public buses are electric. If you’re looking to make additional tweaks to your lifestyle that lead to a more sustainable life and lower utility bills, here’s what you can do. 

Sinks and showers

Start by turning off the faucet when washing hands, washing dishes, brushing teeth, or shaving. Also, opt for quick showers instead of baths whenever you can. Moreover, consider installing a low-flow showerhead. It takes some time getting used to, but it consumes significantly less water. You can find some budget-friendly options at almost every larger market.

Lastly, regular plumbing maintenance can save up to 100 liters of water a year. So, make sure your faucets and sinks are working properly. 

Dishwashers and washing machines 

To save energy, don’t run your dishwasher or washing machine until you have a full load. And make the most of the eco programs on your gadgets!

Gardening

Try watering your plants early in the morning to minimize evaporation. Consider installing a smart irrigation system for your lawn and using drought-resistant plants for landscaping.

Car maintenance

Lastly, don’t forget it’s illegal to use drinking water with a hose or open-flow device to wash vehicles at home. Instead, you must use buckets filled with non-potable water or take your vehicle to a registered car wash. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to QAR 200 for first-time offenders. 

Although Qatar is a subcontinental desert state with less than 2% arable land, it has managed to expand its agricultural and livestock resources, producing more than sufficient for its residents’ needs. So, you can now check out your full grocery list by getting only local goods! This is becoming more important for Qataris. As a PwC study shows, as many as 70% of consumers in Qatar seek information on whether the food products that they purchase are grown or manufactured sustainably.

If you still aren’t sure how locally produced goods are more sustainable, here are some facts. 

Firstly, imported food travels long distances to reach the shelves of your local store, creating significant GHG emissions. On the other hand, opting for local products reduces emissions and strengthens the local supply chain. Moreover, local sourcing often means that goods spend less time in energy-consuming refrigerated international storage and transit centers before reaching the shelves, thus saving energy. 

In addition, domestic sourcing also strengthens the local community and economy. Local farmers often use more sustainable agricultural methods to produce food, preserving the environment. Locally manufactured food also requires less packaging, which reduces waste and pollution. 

So, next time you shop, check out Baladna and Agrico — most of their offerings are locally produced. Also, many larger supermarkets such as Al Meera, Lulu, and Carrefour have a dedicated Made in Qatar area.

Plastic waste is one of the biggest global polluters. According to a recent study published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, global plastic production surpasses 390 million tons annually, while the effective recycling rate remains under 10%. To reduce the amount of plastic waste and pollution, we should move to more sustainable packaging solutions. 

Storage containers

Replace your plastic food storage containers with glass ones. They are less harmful to the environment and also more durable and healthier due to the lack of microplastics. 

Refill stations

Some Monoprix and Lulu locations have refill stations for dry goods to reduce plastic waste. So, see if one is near you and utilize those refills. 

Shopping bags

Don’t forget to take a reusable shopping bag on your regular daily shopping. They are eco-friendly and can also be a nice fashion accessory!

Recyclable plastic

If you can’t find an alternative to plastic packaging, at least use recyclable plastic products. And always dispose of them in a segregated bin later on.

In Qatar, green living is transitioning from an ambition to a reality, particularly spearheaded by initiatives such as Qatar National Vision 2030. According to Vision 2030, the focus is on reducing environmental impact while enhancing residents' quality of life. While a resident can’t build sustainable cities and residential blocks like the government can, there are some things all of us can do to save energy and reduce our bills along the way. 

Home insulation

Ensure your home has proper insulation. Adequate roof and wall insulation can reduce cooling needs by 40–55%, while comprehensive insulation can reduce electricity bills by up to QAR 660 per month!

A/C systems

While the upfront cost of high-efficiency A/C systems is higher, they save a ton in the long run and are a more sustainable option. In fact, Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems (VRF) and inverter A/C units can save up to 45% in energy compared to standard cooling systems. This will lower your electricity bills as well. 

Thermostats

Constantly changing the temperature in your place forces your thermostat to work overtime, use more energy, and increase wear, so it’s likely to break down more often. 

In a recent Buildings and Energy study, experts found that setting a temperature between 22°C and 25°C can save up to 29% of energy. So, try to set the occupied mode within this range. And if you want even more energy saved, set the sleep mode to the higher end of this range, such as 25°C.

Windows

Reflective or low-emissivity window films reject solar heat, helping your A/C cool your home. A recent UK MDPI study found that window films can lower energy consumption by up to 35%. What’s more, they can contribute to lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 3%. 

Lighting

Replacing your light bulbs may seem like a small change, but it can actually reduce electricity consumption by 80%. They also last much longer, which means lower maintenance and replacement costs. 

Moreover, LED bulbs produce much less heat and can even stay cool for hours on end, which means your A/C will have much less work cooling the home. 

Roofs 

If you’re a homeowner, consider transferring to a sustainable energy source by installing solar panels on your roof. It’s a big initial investment, but it saves a ton in bills. 

While there are no studies from Qatar, it’s reported that an average American household saves over QAR 200,000 over 25 years by using solar power. 

Public transportation

Imagine this: you are driving back from work, caught in rush hour, moving one meter every minute, while everyone is honking in a desperate attempt to start moving faster than a turtle. Your A/C is on, and your car burns enormous amounts of fuel, creating a cloud of greenhouse gases. You probably don’t have to imagine the situation, as it happens every day in Doha. Solution? Switch to public transport.  

To tackle GHG emissions and reduce traffic congestion, the Ministry of Transport launched the Transport Strategy 2025–2030, featuring a roadmap focused on, among other things, further enhancing the sustainability of public transportation. So far, over 73% of public buses are electric, to reach 100% by 2030.

The use of public electric vehicles has cut carbon emissions by 43 million kg since 2022. More interestingly, this change has eliminated noise pollution. Therefore, by opting for public transport, you’re doing much more than simply saving on gas. 

Electric vehicles

If you prefer your own ride, consider purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle. In 2023, the electric car market has seen a 150% increase and is expected to reach 53% market share by 2030, with prices falling and more options becoming available.