Saudi Arabia stresses importance of tackling climate change

Representatives from many countries attending the 145th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Rwanda that was held on Oct. 11-15. (Flicker/IPU)

Raedah Abunayyan, left, a member of the Saudi Shoura Council, attending the 145th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Rwanda that was held on Oct. 11-15. (Flicker/IPU)

• Raedah Abunayyan stressed the importance of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative
• Abunayyan said that Saudi Arabia aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060, and that half of its energy will come from renewables by 2030

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is committed to tackling climate change, and has launched several initiatives to confront this challenge, a Shoura Council member has confirmed.
Raedah Abunayyan stressed the importance of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, and noted the benefit of reusing carbon and converting it into industrial fuels, as well as the use of hydrogen, solar, wind and others as sources of renewable energy.
“Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world today. Parliamentarians can and should play a crucial role in addressing this challenge alongside their respective governments,” Abunayyan said at the 145th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Rwanda.
She added that Saudi Arabia aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060, and that half of its energy will come from renewables by 2030.
“The Saudi Green Initiative aims to plant 10 billion trees in the Kingdom and 50 billion trees in the region, rehabilitating 40 million hectares of degraded land in the Kingdom,” she said, adding that the country is “establishing a $10 billion fund to support sustainability.”
Abunayyan said: “Technological innovation through renewable energy, especially in hydrogen and carbon capture, is a priority to the Kingdom.
“Carbon energy is being produced and consumed more efficiently with new green energy technology.”
She added: “Saudi Arabia believes in … greater alignment and more partnership between global entities and organizations to effect lasting change in protecting the environment.
“To date, the Saudi Fund for Development has financed several sustainability projects and provided 35 loans to finance renewable energy projects in 23 countries totaling $1.3 billion.”