GREEN

As world leaders met in the United Kingdom for the UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26), Saudi Arabia is playing its part to rein in climate change.

In November, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, crown prince and deputy prime minister, who is also chairman of the Supreme Committee for Green Saudi Arabia, rolled out the inaugural edition of the annual forum of the Saudi Green Initiative in Riyadh, focusing on new environmental programmes.

“In a key opening speech at the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince announced the launch of the first package of qualitative initiatives in the kingdom, to set a roadmap for protecting the environment and confronting climate change, designed to contribute to achieving the ambitious goals of the Saudi Green Initiative,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The country has introduced a number of initiatives in the energy sector with the aim to cut carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030, thus voluntarily more than doubling the targeted emissions reduction, the crown prince said.

The kingdom has also set a target of planting 450 million trees in the first phase of afforestation, rehabilitating eight million hectares of degraded lands, and allocating new protected areas, with the goal to designate more than 20% of its total land as protected areas.

Another key initiative is to transform Riyadh into one of the most sustainable cities in the world.

NEW ENERGY ALLIANCES

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, one of the world's largest organisations of conservation scientists, estimates protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 will keep the ecosystems healthy.

Saudi Arabia recognises this important initiative and is planning to join the Global Oceans Alliance, according to the crown prince.

In addition, the kingdom is keen to be part of the Alliance to Eliminate Plastic Wastes in Oceans and Beaches, and the Sports for Climate Action Agreement. It is also looking to establish a global centre for sustainable tourism, and a non-profit foundation to explore the seas and oceans.

All told, the first package of initiatives represents an investment worth more than SAR 700 billion, which will boost the green economy, create job opportunities, and provide significant investment opportunities for the private sector in line with the kingdom's Vision 2030.

In October, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, minister of energy, said that the kingdom’s goal is to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060, “taking into account that this will not have an adverse financial or economic impact on oil exporters.”

Saudi also launched a national programme for the circular carbon economy. The initiatives will ensure that by 2030, the country will emerge as a model for energy production, with gas and renewable energy accounting for 50% each of the total energy source.

METHANE PLEDGE

Another major initiative was to join the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions globally by 30% compared to the level of emissions in 2020, according to the Saudi energy minister.

In a bid to improve energy efficiency, authorities are also rolling out smart metres. Around 127,000 smart metre units are installed per day, with the entire project expected to be completed within two months.

“We, in the kingdom, are proud that we have a record of achievements in terms of reducing costs and producing energy, and we look forward to greater records because the kingdom's ecosystem, which is being developed to adopt more investments and innovations allows stronger competition and improves the goal and benefits for all,” the minister said.

Over the past decade, the kingdom has embarked on a number of energy efficiency programmes, which have helped reduce its carbon emissions by 48 million tonnes annually. Authorities are targeting additional emissions reduction of about nine million tonnes by focusing on three sectors: industry, transportation, and construction as they represent 90% of the kingdom's energy consumption.

Saudi’s recent announcements are built on its work during its G20 presidency last year where it consolidated its leading role towards common international issues pertaining to the planet’s protection.

The kingdom’s efforts during its G20 presidency resulted in the adoption of a special declaration on the environment to ensure a sustainable future, which limits environmental degradation, preserves biodiversity, promotes sustainable use and repair of natural resources, preserves the oceans, promotes clean air and water, and tackles natural disasters, extreme weather events, and climate change.