Saudi Green Initiative Forum: as it happened in Riyadh
Over 300 delegates have convened in Riyadh for the inaugural Saudi Green Initiative Forum
Saudi Arabia is hosting the inaugural Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum in the capital Riyadh on 23 October, and the Youth Green Summit on 24 October.
Day one of the event showcases the climate pledges Saudi Arabia has made as part of SGI, a whole of government initiative designed to create lasting changes that will protect the environment and improve the lives of future generations.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Forum by doubling the country’s targets for reducing carbon emissions, and delegates heard from ministers and climate leaders from around the world.
On day two, delegates are hearing from younger voices at the ancillary event, Youth Green Summit, which explores how young people around the world can engage in climate action.
The Independent is reporting live from Riyadh – follow our live blog for the latest and read breakout stories and highlights here.
In an earlier panel at the inaugural SGI Forum, experts gathered to talk about the importance of the Red Sea for Saudi Arabia.
Dr Tony Chan, president of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) said: “The Red Sea is a national treasure for the Kingdom.”
But he warned that the area faces “a perfect storm”, as climate change, erosion, deforestation, pollutants and excessive fishing all affect its delicately balanced ecosystem.
Read the full story here:
Experts say Saudi Arabia has unique opportunity to safeguard marine life
The Gulf of Aqaba is home to one of the longest living reefs in the world. Scientists are particularly excited about the heat-resistant properties of the corals that live there
Building on earlier comments made by Princess Reema on the importance of nature is a panel on the business case for a circular economy.
Representing Saudi Arabia in the discussions is Amr AlMadani, CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). The organisation was established in 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla in north-west Saudi Arabia as a global destination for cultural, heritage, and eco-tourism.
The RCU has been integral in restoring habitats in the region, including at the Sharaan Nature Reserve. It’s also heavily invested in conservation projects, including to protect the endangered Arabian leopard.
Also speaking are Magdi Batato, executive vice president and head of operations for Nestle, and Renat Heuberger, co-founder and CEO of South Pole, a consultancy firm that specialises in climate change solutions.
The RCU’s Amr AlMadani said during the circular economy panel: “For us, going green is not really a choice. It’s the only way for AlUla to actually survive and grow.”
AlUla has been undergoing an extensive transformation as part of the Journey Through Time Masterplan.
The idea is to turn AlUla into a living museum that will showcase its Unesco Heritage Site.
And as part of that, trees are being planted to restore the ancient oasis and creative and innovation hubs are being built.
This in turn creates new jobs and industries in the region.
Mr AlMadani also discussed how the region is building a solar and renewable energy complex.
This complex will not only fuel the region’s growing energy demands but also has the potential to support the energy demands of other areas of Saudi Arabia.
From nature, wildlife and ecosystems it’s onto cities, which account for over 70 per cent of energy-related CO2 emissions from around the world. So to address climate change, cities need to be part of the conversation.
Fahad Abdulmohsan Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), is giving the keynote speech in this fireside chat. For him, climate change challenges are a priority. Part of Riyadh’s solution to these challenges is to plant one tree for every one of its citizens – a total of 7.5 million trees.
Joining the discussion are Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‐Habitat) and Erik Ekudden, chief technology officer at the Ericsson Group.
Full story here:
Better city design needs to be part of the climate solution
Saudi Arabia’s governor of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City explains why ambitious urban planning is key to delivering environmental objectives
As the world’s second largest oil producing country, Saudi Arabia is already shifting away from petroleum for its domestic energy production. As part of its SGI goals, Saudi Arabia has pledged to generate 50 per cent of its domestic energy supply from renewable energy sources while the rest will come with natural gas.
So what does this mean for the future of oil producing firms, such as Saudi Aramco?
Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, is addressing this issue alongside Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of oil and gas company TotalEnergies.
Both companies have made huge commitments towards climate action. TotalEnergies, for example, is planning to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Its counterpart Saudi Aramco has engaged in multiple climate positive initiatives across Saudi Arabia.
One ongoing project is the planting of mangrove forests, which are known for their carbon sinking properties. They also provide vital habitats for wildlife and help to protect the coastline against erosion.
The oil company started mangrove rehabilitation projects almost three decades ago – an initiative that has increased significantly in recent years. In 2020, it planted over 2 million trees.
Saudi Aramco is also developing cutting-edge technologies, including novel carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) solutions, that could significantly reduce emissions while at the same time producing useful products. It is currently the biggest investor in CCUS projects in Saudi Arabia.
Before the discussions started, Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, announced that the company will align itself with the country’s SGI pledges.
He said: “Saudi Aramco will achieve an ambition of being also net zero from our operation by 2050.
“We understand that the road will be complex, the transition will have its challenges, but we are confident we can meet them and [have] accelerated our efforts towards a low emissions future.
“This is coming from the biggest producer of hydrocarbons in the world.”
Of course, governments are key to addressing the challenges of climate change.
For ministers in charge of oil and gas, there is a delicate balance to strike – they must consider the need for economic growth that could improve the lives of citizens, and the environmental impact of that development, then work out how to transition into a green future smoothly.
Ministers from Brazil, Kuwait, Egypt, Niger, Azerbaijan and Nigeria are exploring how they find that balance in their roles.
Watch it here:
Over on Independent TV, “Green does not respect national boundaries,” says Kaust’s Dr Tony Chan.
Watch the interview here:
Chemicals, steel and cement are three industries that produce a huge amount of emissions. The problem is, these products are essential to our everyday lives.
The challenge, then, is to figure out how these industries can become significantly less carbon intensive and how more sustainable processes can be scaled up to make a real impact.
The panel addressing this problem includes Mohammed Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s assistant minister for oil and gas; Jasper Graf von Hardenberg, CEO and co-founder of Daystar Power Group, a company that supplies businesses with clean, continuous and affordable power in West Africa; Paddy Padmanathan, president and CEO of desalinated water and electricity company ACWA Power; and Morten Dyrholm, group senior global vice president at Vestas Wind Systems, a Danish wind turbine manufacturer.
Mohammed Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s assistant minister for oil and gas, said: “The Saudi Green Initiative, the way we see it, is a great opportunity. A great opportunity to create new ways of managing our industries and managing our emissions.”
He discussed some of the ways Saudi Arabia’s companies are reducing carbon emissions through reuse and recycling.
Petrochemical company Sabic, for example, has built a plant where it uses captured emissions from its production process to produce more chemicals – and it’s not alone.
Saudi Aramco has also been heavily investing in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects.
Read about it here:
From waste to resource: Can recycling CO2 help Saudi Arabia go green?
Several companies in Saudi Arabia are now recycling carbon dioxide to reduce emissions. But what does the future look like?