Qatar commits $1.3 billion to UK climate tech, marking major partnership | Parliament Politics Magazine

Qatar commits $1.3 billion to UK climate tech, marking major partnership

Qatar commits $1.3 billion to UK climate tech, marking major partnership
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London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Qatar will invest £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in Britain’s climate tech sector, revealed during a visit by the Emir, which will benefit Rolls-Royece’s energy and other green energy initiatives. 

During a two-day state visit to Britain, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, made the announcement and is expected to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday.  

Ahead of his meeting with Qatar’s Emir to discuss a £1 billion investment in climate technology, the PM Sir Starmer faces calls to raise human rights issues.

Sir Starmer’s spokesperson said the UK is seeking to develop a strong relationship with the wealthy Gulf state, as Starmer hopes the visit will bring “tangible benefits” in security and economic ties. 

Reuters reports that the investment will create thousands of jobs and build climate tech hubs in both the UK and Qatar to speed up the progress of green technologies.

Ahead of his meeting with Qatar’s Emir to discuss a £1 billion investment in climate technology, Prime Minister Sir Keir faces pressure from the opposition to raise human rights matters on Wednesday.

Sir Keir Starmer will host Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Downing Street as the Emir wraps up his official visit to Britain.

The two leaders will celebrate a “significant milestone” in UK-Qatar relations as the Gulf state confirms an initial £1 billion for a “clean energy partnership” between the nations.

The agreement covers investments in Roll-Royce technology initiatives and start-ups in the UK and Qatar focusing on energy efficiency, carbon solutions, and green energy. 

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce stated, “Enabling the energy transition through lower carbon technologies is a key part of our strategy. We are delighted to welcome Qatar as a strategic partner, who will support the growth of these technologies. They share our ambition to make an impact on the challenge of climate change.”

Sir Keir, ahead of the meeting, said “I am proud that Qatar has chosen to base this global partnership here in the UK and I am delighted that the project is getting off the ground with this initial £1 billion commitment.”

The partnership was originally announced in 2021 on the sidelines of the COP26 summit in Glasgow and is expected to see the creation of “climate technology hubs” across the UK and Qatar.

Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade described Wednesday’s announcement as “a huge vote of confidence in the UK” that would “help create thousands of highly skilled jobs”.

The Prime Minister’s meeting with Qatari officials will focus on trade and investment, but he is likely to raise concerns about human rights matters, following his earlier decision to skip the football World Cup over rights violations.

In response to questions about Sir Keir’s position on Qatar, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman highlighted the UK’s strong ties with Qatar, noting their “significant mutual benefits” in trade and security, as well as Qatar’s mediation efforts since the October 2023 attacks on Israel.

The spokesman said, “We discuss human rights regularly with Qatar. We stand ready to co-operate with them on these issues.”

Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman al Thani said, “We are delighted to formally launch this groundbreaking partnership. The United Kingdom has a proud history of innovation in cutting edge technology, and Qatar has long been a trusted investment partner to British businesses. This new collaboration aligns with our long-term strategy to invest in the economies of the future.”

At the end of a two-day state visit to the UK, the Emir will visit Downing Street.

During his visit, he met members of the royal family, including a rare public appearance by the Princess of Wales, and attended a state banquet with the King on Tuesday.

The Qatari Emir visit has faced criticism from human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who stated that Britain should not “reward the Emir with the honour of a state visit while his regime continues to victimise women, LGBTs, and migrant workers.”

His foundation also protested on Dec 3 against King Charles and Sir Keir Starmer over a state visit by the Emir of Qatar. One day earlier, he posted on X to publicly call for participation in the protest.

Massimiliano  Verde

Massimiliano Verde is a journalist at Parliament News, He is covering Society and Culture News. Boasting a Master's Degree in Political Science, stands as a prominent figure in the Italian cultural landscape. His presidency of the Neapolitan Academy, a scientifically and sociolinguistically renowned group, attests to his relentless dedication to safeguarding and promoting Neapolitan language and culture. His activism and profound expertise have propelled him into the role of interlocutor for UNESCO as part of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), a prestigious acknowledgment highlighting the significance of his efforts in preserving the linguistic and cultural diversity of our planet.

Verde's fervent passion for the history and culture of Southern Italy has driven him to immerse himself in research, resulting in numerous essays and articles that delve into the peculiarities and beauties of the region. His commitment extends beyond academia, manifesting in ongoing dissemination activities aimed at acquainting the general public with the rich cultural heritage of the South. His endeavors transcend national boundaries, as evidenced by his participation in international conferences and collaboration with various foreign institutions, rendering him an ambassador of Southern culture on the global stage and fostering intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.

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