GAB is 1st accreditation body from MENA to sign APAC's MRA for GHG accreditation
Doha
Qatar-based Global Accreditation Bureau (GAB) has officially become a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Signatory of the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) for the accreditation of Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) for Greenhouse Gases (GHG).
This achievement positions GAB as a key enabler in the MENA region for climate accountability and sustainability practices aligned with international standards.
Becoming an MRA signatory signifies that GAB's accreditation processes for GHG VVBs have been rigorously evaluated and deemed equivalent to those of other recognized accreditation bodies within APAC.
This is particularly significant given the standing of APAC as a highly respected and influential regional cooperation of accreditation bodies in the Asia Pacific region.
This development follows GAB's earlier success in 2024, when it became an MRA Signatory of both the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) for accreditation of Management System Certification Bodies.
GAB's elevated status not only enhances its international recognition but also positions it as the first and only Accreditation Body Member in the MENA region to be part of APAC MRA group with a scope of GHG validation and verification.
Speaking about the latest milestone, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GAB, said: 'By becoming APAC's MRA Signatory for the accreditation of GHG validation and verification bodies, we are directly addressing the increasing demand for robust and transparent GHG accounting, aligning with international frameworks. By ensuring that VVBs accredited by GAB operate under a rigorous, internationally recognised accreditation framework, GAB is steadily progressing towards its goal of empowering stakeholders in the MENA region and other neighboring countries.
'To this end, it will assure that GHG validation and verification processes operated under accreditation from GAB are technically sound and adhere to the international standards, fostering confidence and paving the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future.'
GAB's extended MRA signatory status will significantly benefit organisations and VVBs operating within the MENA region and neighboring countries.
It will provide them with easier access to internationally recognised accreditation services for GHG validation and verification. GHG reports originating from VVBs accredited by GAB will gain greater acceptance within international markets that acknowledge the APAC MRA.
This will ease trade barriers and enhance market access for organizations relying on these verified reports. Simplifying their selection process, organizations seeking GHG validation and verification services can now select GAB-accredited bodies with confidence, assured that these VVBs meet rigorous international standards.
Ultimately, GAB's MRA status will empower organisations to accurately measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions which will significantly contribute to broader global sustainability objectives and climate action initiatives within the region.
GAB's extended MRA signatory status will amplify its existing portfolio and influence within the accreditation landscape. Having already accredited five VVBs—two based in Qatar and three in India—under this expanded scope, GAB is demonstrating its growing capacity to support GHG validation and verification services.
With many other applicant bodies currently undergoing rigorous review at various stages of GHG-related accreditation, this momentum suggests a substantial increase in GAB's accredited partners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Volkswagen US deliveries fall as Trump tariffs bite
Agencies Europe's largest automaker Volkswagen said Wednesday that sales into the United States had taken a hit, underscoring the impact of President Donald Trump's drastic trade measures. Total vehicle deliveries into North America fell almost seven percent in the first half of the year, the German group said, even as overall deliveries worldwide notched a rise of 1.3 percent. In the three months to June—a period dominated by the fallout of Trump announcing 25-percent tariffs on cars in late March and further sweeping duties in April—deliveries to North America plunged 16.2 percent. In China, a key market where European carmakers are struggling against the electric models of local competitors such as BYD, first-half deliveries fell just over two percent. Marco Schubert, board member for sales at the firm, said the declines were 'expected' and that 'gains in South America and Europe more than offset' the impact. Trump has announced a wide range of duties in a bid to boost US manufacturing, but promptly suspended the implementation of many of them before inviting countries to seek trade deals after markets plunged worldwide. Though April's 'Liberation Day' tariffs have been paused until August 1, a 25-percent tariff on imported cars that are not largely made within North America remains in force. Carmakers have rushed to find ways to minimize the impact of the levies, with high-end automaker Mercedes-Benz on Monday saying it had delayed some US deliveries in the expectation of tariffs coming back down. Stuttgart-based Porsche reported Tuesday a 10-percent rise in its first-half North American sales, saying it had plentiful stocks in the region and that increased import tariffs had offered a degree of 'protection' for its cars. But overall first-half sales fell at both firms after being dragged down by China, with Porsche's deliveries in the country down 28 percent and Mercedes-Benz's car sales falling 14 percent.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Trump Effect website claims credit for $2.6 trillion in new investments
Agencies Within hours of taking office in January, President Donald Trump boasted about attracting $3 trillion in new corporate investments to the United States. Since then, Trump has said the investments have swelled to $14 trillion, or roughly half of the nation's annual gross domestic product. The White House calls it 'The Trump Effect' and features a rolling list on its website of more than 70 projects it says Trump's economic policies spurred, from a new bakery plant in Texas to a LEGO facility in Virginia and a microchip plant in Arizona. As of July 2, the website listed more than $2.6 trillion in US investments, well short of the $14 trillion Trump boasts about. But a Reuters review found that just under half of the claimed spending on the website - totaling more than $1.3 trillion - originated under former President Joe Biden or represented routine spending repackaged to promote domestic investments. At least eight of the projects touted by the White House had sought or secured critical local incentive packages before Trump took office while at least a half dozen other projects had already been announced by local officials or the companies themselves, Reuters found. Two of the Trump Effect projects were aided by Biden's legislative efforts to boost domestic manufacturing, the review found. One company on the list, Swiss-based Roche, warned that Trump's plans to equalize US and international drug prices now threatens its promised $50 billion in US investments. Asked about taking credit for projects already underway before Trump came into office, the White House said the final investment decisions were announced under his watch and prove his economic policies are triggering US investment. 'President Trump is the greatest closer in modern history, and his leadership and policies are a critical catalyst converting hypothetical discussions into firm investment commitments and ground being broken for new plants and offices,' White House spokesman Kush Desai said. The Reuters review included interviewing local officials and reviewing public records and corporate statements. It was not clear in many cases what role, if any, Trump or his policies played in getting the deals across the line. Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said his economic forecast - along with the consensus estimates - for investment in the economy has remained relatively unchanged despite the White House's claims of new historic investments. 'I think despite all the announcements it hasn't translated into any change in expectations,' Zandi said. 'The fundamentals that ultimately drive investment spending, broadly, if anything, appear to have weakened since the start of the year.' Trump's push to impose sweeping tariffs on dozens of trading partners has injected uncertainty into global markets, lowering economic projections and freezing investment decisions, Zandi said.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Shell, QASR Technologies announce strategic collaboration to advance AI-driven reservoir analysis
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Shell, through its Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSRTC), has announced a strategic 12-month collaboration with QASR Technologies, a Qatar-based technology company specialising in AI-powered subsurface reservoir simulation for the oil and gas industry. QASR Technologies, a start-up spun out from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), was founded by Dr Ahmad Abushaikha and is incubated at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). The company leverages advanced artificial intelligence and data analytics to revolutionise the study and management of underground energy reserves. 'This collaboration is a powerful example of how we can actively support Qatar's innovation landscape,' said Misfer Al Bidaiwi, Vice President of Pearl GTL at Qatar Shell. 'It reflects our deep commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering opportunities for knowledge transfer, research, and development. By partnering with QASR Technologies, we're not only investing in homegrown expertise, but we're also helping to cultivate a culture of innovation that aligns with the ambitions of Qatar National Vision 2030.' The partnership will focus on using AI to enhance the analysis of underground pressure and flow data, making the process significantly faster and more accurate. These improvements are expected to streamline understanding of complex subsurface systems and optimise decision-making in reservoir management. Dr Ahmad Abushaikha, Founder and CEO of QASR Technologies, commented: 'We are deeply honoured to partner with Qatar Shell on this important collaboration. It highlights QASR Technologies' strength in delivering cutting-edge, AI-driven solutions for more efficient and intelligent subsurface analysis. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing technological innovation and marks a meaningful step towards building a knowledge-based economy in Qatar, where local excellence plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy.' This initiative directly supports Qatar's national development goals by translating academic research into practical applications and creating platforms for local innovators to scale their ideas. By joining forces with QASR Technologies, Qatar Shell reaffirms its investment in the future of Qatar's energy sector and its expanding knowledge economy.
