Crown Prince launches Saudi Green Initiative, targets net zero emissions by 2060

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Green Saudi Arabia launched the inaugural edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in Riyadh.

The Crown Prince announced in this Forum the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s roadmap for protecting the environment and confronting climate change.

This annual forum will serve as a platform to launch our new environmental initiatives and monitor the impact of the previously announced ones.

“At the commencement of the inaugural edition of this forum, I announce to you today, the first set of initiatives and programs that will contribute to achieving the targets of the Saudi Green Initiative, in reducing emissions, and protecting the environment.” He said.

For reducing emissions, The Crown Prince said he is pleased to launch initiatives in the energy sector that will reduce carbon emissions by (278) million tons annually by 2030, thus voluntarily more than doubling the target announced, estimated at (130) million tons annually.

These initiatives aim at modifying the Kingdom’s energy mix, rationing and increasing the efficiency of energy production and use, and investing in new energy sources, including hydrogen.

“We also announce the Kingdom’s accession to the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions globally by (30%). In addition, today, a number of subsidiaries of the Saudi Public Investment Fund will announce several initiatives that contribute to this endeavor.” His Royal Highness added.

As for protecting the environment, “we have previously announced the target of planting (10) billion trees throughout the Kingdom, which represents (1%) of the global target for planting trees.”

Bin Salman also announced raising the percentage of protected areas to (30%) of the Kingdom’s total areas; in our belief that confronting climate change is not only limited to reducing emissions, but also protecting and enhancing the environment.

“And today, we announce starting the implementation of the first phase of afforestation initiatives by planting more than (450) million trees, in addition to rehabilitating (8) million hectares of degraded lands, and allocating newly protected areas, thus bringing the total protected areas in the Kingdom to more than (20%) of its total area.” according to the Crown Prince.

Saudi Arabia also intends to transform Riyadh into one of the most sustainable cities in the world through a set of solutions that will be addressed later today.

“Additional projects and initiatives to achieve the targets we have set forth, will be announced annually and in accordance with the technical studies being conducted in this regard.”

Recognizing the importance of promoting joint international action, the Crown Prince announced the Kingdom’s intention to join the Global Oceans Alliance, the Alliance to Eliminate Plastic Waste in Oceans and Beaches, the Sports for Climate Action Agreement, in addition to establishing a global center for Sustainable Tourism, and establishing a Non-Profit foundation to explore the seas and oceans.

“And because our planning, goals and ambitions are not limited to the next ten years, I announce today that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to reach Net Zero in the year (2060), through the Carbon Circular Economy approach, in line with its development plans, and enabling its economic diversification, and in accordance with the “Dynamic Baseline”, while preserving and reinforcing the Kingdom’s leading role in the security and stability of global energy markets, with the availability and maturity of required technologies to manage and reduce emissions.” his Royal Highness said.

This first set of initiatives represents investments worth more than (700) billion riyals, which contributes to creating quality job opportunities, providing significant investment opportunities for the private sector, and developing the green economy, in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

In conclusion, I look forward to the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, which we will host the day after tomorrow, with the aim of synergizing and coordinating efforts among the countries of the region to develop the plans necessary to reach the Middle East Green Initiative targets of; planting (50) billion trees in the region, and reducing carbon emissions in the region by more than (10%) of total global contributions, Bin Salman said.

“I invite officials and experts participating in this forum to elaborate further on more than (60) initiatives that we are launching today, and work collectively to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for us and future generations.” he concluded.