Qatar to invest £1 billion in UK climate tech partnership

Qatar & the United Kingdom also to form a joint commission on AI research

No. 10 Downing Street, London (Image credit: Institute for Government)

#Qatar #UK #climatetech - The State of Qatar and the United Kingdom have unveiled a groundbreaking £1 billion climate technology partnership, marking a key milestone during the state visit of His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s this week. The agreement will see the Gulf state fuel clean energy innovation, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen investment ties between the two nations. The two countries will also establish a joint commission on future artificial intelligence research.

SO WHAT? - Borne out of the UK-Qatar Strategic Dialogue started in 2022, this £1 billion climate technology partnership demonstrates the UK’s strength as a hub for clean energy and green technologies while underscoring Qatar’s commitment to impactful global investments. Increasingly, many of Qatar’s major partnerships and investments are now technology-focused.

Here are some details of the bilateral announcement:

• Qatar will invest £1 billion in climate technologies, focusing on energy efficiency, carbon management, and green power initiatives via a partnership with the United Kingdom, according to a British government press release.

• Additional agreements between the two nations will explore genomics and AI research, including a shared Genomics Medicine Academy and a joint AI research commission.

• British engineering giant Rolls-Royce, will receive significant funding for projects improving energy efficiency, sustainable fuels, and lowering emissions.

• The partnership includes launching climate technology hubs in the UK and Qatar, leveraging local expertise to accelerate green innovation.

• Thousands of highly skilled jobs will be created across both nations, bolstering clean energy sectors and economic ties.

• Rolls-Royce’s partnership with Qatar builds on its existing investments, including the small modular reactor nuclear industry.

• Qatar Free Zones and UK freeports will serve as platforms for start-ups to access global markets, driving inward investment.

• The deal aligns with the UK’s ambition to become a global clean energy leader and Qatar’s strategy to back economies of the future.

• The UK-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, established in 2022, will expand to encompass science, innovation, and technology collaboration.

ZOOM OUT - Earlier this year France and Qatar announced a strategic, technology-focused partnership that will bring €10 billion of Qatari investment into the French economy between 2024-2030. Similarly to this week’s UK deal, the partnership was signed during a two-day state visit by Qatar's Amir. The French partnership covered aerospace, artificial intelligence, energy transition, semiconductor, digital, health, hospitality and culture.