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We have come so far in the 18 months since our futures changed forever. Throughout the pandemic, we were feeling our way in the dark, unsure of the future. The coronavirus pandemic ravaged the world, destroying lives, claiming jobs, and depriving our children of regular childhoods. The pandemic disrupted lives and businesses the world over without discrimination.
And this is also true of that other huge fight facing humanity: Climate change does not respect borders. The pandemic proved something very important. That by joining forces and cooperating, as a planet united, we could adapt and there was a bright future ahead. Working together to establish guidelines and rules, sharing information and extending help to other nations and finally, through this cooperation, the world can focus on a positive future, different, but positive. Now it’s time we do the same for the environment.
As we recover from the blows of COVID-19, it is amazing to see the world so passionate about the environment. Around 120 leaders came together in Glasgow for COP26 for two weeks of global negotiations to help determine whether humanity can drive forward the urgent action needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Media coverage of the event, along with the protests, shows us how important the need is for urgent action at COP26, as the world experiences record temperatures, extreme weather events, rising ocean levels and accelerated biodiversity loss, pushing the planet dangerously close to climate catastrophe.
This will not happen in Saudi Arabia — our country has a clear mandate for its future growth with sustainability a critical pillar for its success.
Under the wise leadership of our rulers, we have seen the Kingdom take significant strides in these sectors, accomplishing important milestones that are driven by investment, innovation and technological expertise.
Saudi Arabia’s leadership has publicly committed to fulfilling the UN Social Development Goals and is doing so through initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030.
Ultimately, history illustrates that challenges often precede opportunity so let’s work together to turn around climate change and create opportunity.
Raed Albasseet
To contribute toward the global effort to mitigate climate change, The Red Sea Development Company is managing risks associated with our emissions. We are committed to finding innovative ways to ensure we achieve carbon neutrality in our development, and that it supports the Saudi national vision.
In line with the Saudi Green initiative to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 and through coordination with the Ministry of Energy, TRSDC is managing our operational carbon footprint by reducing and removing greenhouse gases.
We operate our own smart electric grid with metering systems designed to track utility consumption and share consumption information through communication technologies. Relying on electric vehicles for land mobility in our early phases, while switching from conventional fuels for our air and sea mobility, as and when technology becomes available (i.e., adopting hydrogen and other cleaner alternatives in future).
Ultimately, history illustrates that challenges often precede opportunity so let’s work together to turn around climate change and create opportunity. And, at TRSDC and AMAALA, we are proud to be leading the way toward the Kingdom’s clean future.
• Raed Albasseet is head of environment and sustainability at The Red Sea Development Company.