ENVIRONMENT

CLIMATE ACTION TO SERVE AS CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to climate action during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) held at Expo City in Dubai. The kingdom highlighted its various ongoing initiatives aimed at bolstering climate action efforts.

Participating in COP28, Saudi Arabia set up the Saudi Green Initiative pavilion and the Blue Zone pavilion, which focuses on dialogues and sessions addressing critical topics related to climate change and the shift toward carbon emission-free green sectors. The Blue Zone pavilion has also hosted approximately 24 workshops, featuring extensive participation from up to 40 speakers, including local and international experts across various fields.

The kingdom actively participated in dialogues that underscore emission reduction and the transition of energy systems. These discussions centred on exploring the potential of carbon capture, as well as utilisation and storage technologies to enhance climate solutions. Additionally, the talks highlighted the pivotal role of minerals in energy transformation and expediting emission reduction efforts within Saudi Arabia.

The country is also actively pursuing multiple initiatives to lead ambitious climate action on both national and regional fronts. At COP28 in Dubai, the kingdom showcased its climate action endeavours, demonstrating its commitment to seeking forward-looking solutions.

    

During the Dubai event, the COP28 presidency and Saudi Arabia jointly introduced the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), a global initiative aimed at expediting climate action within the oil and gas sectors. Over 50 oil and gas companies, representing more than 40% of global oil production, have signed the charter, with National Oil Companies accounting for over 60% of signatories – an unprecedented commitment to decarbonisation by NOCs. The OGDC is a pivotal initiative under the Global Decarbonisation Accelerator (GDA).

Under the charter, signatories have pledged to achieve net-zero operations by 2050, cease routine flaring by 2030, and substantially reduce upstream methane emissions. This marks a significant step towards aligning the industry with a 1.5°C target and setting more ambitious decarbonisation goals.

COP28 president Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber said that while the charter's launch is a positive initial step, further actions are necessary. He emphasised the importance of the entire industry contributing to keeping the 1.5°C target within reach and urged stronger commitments to decarbonisa tion.

The charter outlines several actions, including investments in renewable energy sources, low-carbon fuels, and negative emissions technologies, with a focus on reducing energy poverty and ensuring secure and affordable energy for global economic development. Signatories also committed to aligning with broader industry best practices to accelerate operational decarbonisation and reduce emissions by 2030.

Dr. Al-Jaber stressed that addressing climate change requires collective efforts, fundamental changes across society and the energy sector, and international collaboration. He also pointed out the need for a clear plan to guide efforts in the right direction, calling for accountability and responsibility across all stakeholders for effective climate action.

TREES TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) is gearing up to plant 12 million trees and shrubs throughout Saudi Arabia in 2024. The centre’s CEO Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdul Qadir shared the plan, and disclosed the use of recycled water for all projects. The first phase focuses on rehabilitating 1,000 floodplains and meadows through the strategic planting of trees and shrubs, coupled with rainwater-harvesting techniques

To ensure the success of this initiative, the NCVC will collaborate with the nation's royal reserves. Several agreements have been signed with authorities overseeing the King Salman, King Abdulaziz, Imam Turki bin Abdullah, Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, and King Khalid royal reserves. The targeted rehabilitation area spans 225,000 hectares of degraded lands in a single region, along with 1.9 million hectares of floodplains and meadows.

These extensive efforts align with the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, which is to plant 10 billion trees in the country. The NCVC has already executed various projects, including the successful planting of 1 million trees in Al-Khafs Meadow within the King Abdulaziz royal reserve.

Additionally, 400,000 saplings of local trees were planted in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah reserve. Noteworthy contributions include supplying the King Salman reserve with 1.2 million seedlings and planting 600,000 trees and shrubs in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed reserve. The agreement to implement these initiatives was signed by Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed reserve, and NCVC’s chief executive Al-Abdul Qadir.

The NCVC also planted 200,000 trees in Huraymila National Park, in the Huraymila governorate of the Riyadh Region. The tree-planting project in Huraymila National Park, spanning 14.7 square kilometres, has engaged diverse segments of society, fostering community participation in environmental conservation.