How biodiesel could cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Saudi Arabia

Special How biodiesel could cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Saudi Arabia
One promising solution to help Saudi Arabia achieve its green agenda is the adoption of biodiesel. (Shutterstock)
Short Url
Updated 17 August 2024
Follow

How biodiesel could cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Saudi Arabia

How biodiesel could cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Saudi Arabia
  • The Kingdom could look to biodiesel as a sustainable alternative to meet its Vision 2030 and Paris Agreement goals
  • Biodiesel adoption could be a game-changer for reducing carbon emissions and air pollution in the transport sector

RIYADH: Although Saudi Arabia’s economy has long relied on oil and gas, the Kingdom is setting its sights on a greener future, aiming to diversify its energy resources and adopt sustainable practices for future generations.

One promising solution to help Saudi Arabia achieve its green agenda is the adoption of biodiesel — an alternative fuel that could significantly improve air quality and help combat climate change.

“Biodiesel has proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent compared to petroleum diesel, making it a key player in achieving global climate goals,” the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory said in its recent “Biofuels and Climate Change” report.




By converting tallow, used cooking oil, and corn oil into biodiesel, between 79 percent and 86 percent of greenhouse gas reductions can be achieved compared with petroleum diesel. (Shutterstock)

Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and clean-burning fuel derived from vegetable oils such as soybean and algae, animal fats, or recycled cooking oils. It has gained traction in Europe and the US as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based diesel, offering a viable path to cutting carbon emissions.

According to the European Biodiesel Board, the EU is the world leader in producing and using biodiesel, with nearly 200 plants producing about 13 million tonnes annually.

This shift is driven by biodiesel’s ability to release lower levels of harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons when combusted, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

“The adoption of biodiesel not only reduces harmful emissions but also enhances energy security by decreasing reliance on imported fossil fuels,” David Woollard, director of the EBB, said in the board’s 2023 annual report. 

In Saudi Arabia, the real estate development company Red Sea Global has taken a pioneering step by adopting low-carbon biofuels for its delivery vehicles. The biofuel used by RSG emits just 0.17 kilograms of carbon dioxide per liter, compared with 2.7 kg per liter from traditional diesel.

This significant reduction in emissions not only benefits the environment but also has a positive effect on public health, because diesel exhaust is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and many types of cancer.

By adopting biodiesel, Saudi Arabia could set a new standard for green development, playing a crucial role in balancing air pollution and mitigating climate change in the region.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals report on Saudi Arabia’s air pollution interventions highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to stricter air emission standards, improved vehicle inspections, and stronger enforcement of environmental codes.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking oils

• Compared to traditional diesel, biodiesel releases significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons.

• By reducing diesel exhaust emissions, biodiesel helps lower the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues and cancer.

• Biodiesel is widely used in Europe and the US, with blends like B20 offering a balance of cost, emissions and engine compatibility.

However, Saudi Arabia’s reliance on energy-intensive industries, such as desalination and petrochemicals, presents challenges to its green development goals.

Trucks and heavy vehicles are significant contributors to diesel emissions, making the widespread adoption of biodiesel critical to reducing air pollution and achieving the Vision 2030 sustainable development targets.

“Biodiesel use in transport can significantly lower particulate matter emissions, improving air quality and public health in urban areas,” according to the International Council on Clean Transportation’s report on “Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Transport.”




For Saudi Arabia, incorporating biodiesel into its energy mix could be a significant step toward meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. (Shutterstock)

Globally, many countries are transitioning from conventional diesel to biodiesel blends to address the growing climate crisis.

In the US, for instance, B20 — a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent traditional diesel — has become a popular choice due to its balance of cost, reduced emissions and compatibility with existing engines.

According to the US Department of Energy, B20 can reduce particulate matter emissions and greenhouse gases, as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants used to produce biodiesel

For Saudi Arabia, incorporating biodiesel into its energy mix could be a significant step toward meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Kingdom aspires to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by generating 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.

Incorporating biodiesel into the transportation sector, or even fully replacing traditional diesel, would bring Saudi Arabia closer to these goals and demonstrate its commitment to protecting the environment.

As the Kingdom continues to diversify its energy mix and modernize its industries, the adoption of biodiesel is likely to be a key component of its strategic planning for a sustainable future.
 

 


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve welcomes recruits to fifth ranger corps

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve welcomes recruits to fifth ranger corps
Updated 41 min 3 sec ago
Follow

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve welcomes recruits to fifth ranger corps

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve welcomes recruits to fifth ranger corps
  • The recruits, comprising 40 women and 26 men, are from local communities. They will join the existing 180-strong ranger force
  • They will be working alongside the Special Forces for Environmental Security and the Border Guard

RIYADH: The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has welcomed 40 women and 26 men to its fifth ranger corps.

They were recruited from local communities following their successful graduation from the reserve’s nine-week training program, and will join the existing ranger team of 180 to help in conservation work.

Andrew Zaloumis, the CEO at the reserve, said the rangers were pivotal in helping achieve the body’s mission.

Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, signs the new rangers’ contracts at the reserve’s head office in the historic Al Wajh Castle. (Supplied)

He said: “These local people, from across the reserve, know its land, its flora and fauna and its communities. They are the natural guardians of the Kingdom’s rich natural and cultural heritage.”

The reserve received 18,000 applications and candidates underwent written and physical tests and multiple interviews to win a coveted place on the ranger training program.

Run by Ali Al-Balawi, the nine-week program provides the skills required to join the ranger corps.

Modules include conservation management, data collection, patrolling, cultural heritage management, tracking, fitness, self-defense, first aid and 4x4 driving.

Rangers at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve test teamwork skills. (Supplied)

Al-Balawi said: “I take great pride in training rangers from the local community at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Reserve.

“When the protector comes from the same place, there is a profound sense of responsibility towards the nature they know and cherish, making them more capable of protecting and conserving it.

“These rangers are not just trained to perform specific tasks — they are true ambassadors of nature, and I am honored to be part of fostering this spirit that connects people to their land and their role in conserving it for future generations.”

The 66 new recruits will join the 180-strong ranger force, working alongside the Special Forces for Environmental Security and the Border Guard to safeguard the natural and cultural assets of the reserve — both on land and at sea.

Their duties will include ecological monitoring to inform conservation strategies; supporting animal reintroductions; managing wildlife populations; and overseeing development projects to ensure compliance with environmental and social impact assessments.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is home to the Middle East’s first female ranger corps. Of the 246 rangers, 34 percent are women.

Rangers learn to track under the guidance of international experts. (Supplied)

The objectives of the royal reserves are to support the Kingdom’s efforts in sustainability and environmental conservation, contributing to the Saudi Green Initiative’s goal of protecting 30 percent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

One of eight royal reserves, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the Red Sea in the west, connecting NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It is home to PIF’s Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global’s destination AMAALA.

The reserve includes 15 distinct ecosystems. At just 1 percent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area and 1.8 percent of its marine area, it boasts over 50 percent of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.

Map showing the area covered by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in Tabuk province. (Google maps)

The reserve is committed to restoring and conserving the natural and cultural environment, including the reintroduction of 23 native species — including the Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx and lappet-faced vulture — as part of a wide-ranging rewilding program.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve was established by royal decree and is overseen by the Royal Reserves Council, which is chaired by the crown prince.

Its program is integrated with Saudi Arabia’s wider sustainability and conservation schemes, including the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives.


A tapestry of traditions: Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islanders embrace spirit of holy month

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings. (SPA)
Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings. (SPA)
Updated 02 March 2025
Follow

A tapestry of traditions: Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islanders embrace spirit of holy month

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings. (SPA)
  • Blend of faith, maritime charm at Ramadan

RIYADH: Steeped in history, the Farasan Islands have long embraced unique Ramadan traditions, welcoming the holy month with a blend of faith and maritime charm.

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings and plasterwork, while laying smooth pebbles on courtyards to add a maritime-inspired touch.

Farasan women used to prepare their homes by painting walls to highlight intricate engravings. (SPA)

Amnah Aqili spoke to the Saudi Press Agency about these preparations, recalling the renewal of wooden bed frames, the polishing of utensils, the preparation of spices, and the weaving of doum palm frond carpets.

Aqili noted that with the arrival of Ramadan, the air would be filled with the scent of mastic from clay water jugs and the sweet aroma of coffee from traditional pots. The exchange of Ramadan dishes among neighbors was another cherished tradition in the community.

FASTFACTS

• The exchange of Ramadan dishes among neighbors is a cherished tradition in the Farasan community.

• The community continues to honor the spirit of Ramadan through acts of worship, compassion, and the exchange of gifts, strengthening both spiritual and social bonds.

Abkar Al-Mashrai’i recalled a time over 70 years ago when the islanders would rely on news from Jazan to begin Ramadan.

Nightly recitations of the Qur’an by the glow of lanterns would echo through the alleys, and the muezzin’s melodic call would announce sahoor. Children and young men filled the evenings with traditional games, Al-Mashrai’i added.

The Farasan community continues to honor the spirit of Ramadan through acts of worship, compassion, and the exchange of gifts, strengthening both spiritual and social bonds.

 


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as ‘blackmail’

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as ‘blackmail’
Updated 02 March 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as ‘blackmail’

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as ‘blackmail’
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its denunciation of Israel’s move, warning that it constitutes a direct violation of international humanitarian law

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday the Israeli government’s decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, calling it an act of “blackmail and collective punishment” that violates international law.

In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its denunciation of Israel’s move, warning that it constituted a direct violation of international humanitarian law amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The Kingdom renews its call on the international community to stop these serious Israeli violations, activate international accountability mechanisms, and ensure sustainable access to aid,” the statement said.

The condemnation comes as Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza over the weekend, escalating tensions over a truce that had temporarily halted fighting for the past six weeks.

Hamas has called on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene in the standoff.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel had adopted a proposal from US envoy Steve Witkoff for a temporary ceasefire during the upcoming Ramadan and Passover periods. If agreed upon, the truce would pause hostilities until the end of Ramadan around March 31 and the Jewish Passover holiday around April 20.


Islamic nations back Riyadh Charter for AI

The charter was approved during the 45th session of the ICESCO Executive Council held in Tunisia. (X @ICESCO_En)
The charter was approved during the 45th session of the ICESCO Executive Council held in Tunisia. (X @ICESCO_En)
Updated 02 March 2025
Follow

Islamic nations back Riyadh Charter for AI

The charter was approved during the 45th session of the ICESCO Executive Council held in Tunisia. (X @ICESCO_En)
  • The charter was approved during the 45th session of the ICESCO Executive Council, held in Tunisia, with all member states in attendance and the Saudi AI authority participating

RIYADH: Fifty-three member states of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, have unanimously approved the Riyadh Charter for Artificial Intelligence in the Islamic World.

The charter was announced during the Global AI Summit, organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority in September 2024 in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.

A milestone in the field, it establishes a shared ethical and strategic framework for AI in the Islamic world, the SPA added.

The charter was approved during the 45th session of the ICESCO Executive Council, held in Tunisia, with all member states in attendance and the Saudi AI authority participating.

The session discussed the Riyadh charter as a comprehensive strategic framework for AI development, aligning with Islamic values, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing international cooperation.

Member states affirmed their commitment to strengthening AI governance and supporting its responsible adoption in the Islamic world.

During the session, the organization’s Center of Foresight and Artificial Intelligence director, Kais Hammami, presented the charter, outlining its key pillars and strategic objectives.

He emphasized its significance in guiding AI development to serve the shared interests of Islamic countries.

 


Riyadh governor receives diplomatic corps

Riyadh governor receives diplomatic corps
Updated 03 March 2025
Follow

Riyadh governor receives diplomatic corps

Riyadh governor receives diplomatic corps
  • Diplomats offered their congratulations on the holy month of Ramadan

RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Djibouti to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, as well as heads of countries accredited to the Kingdom, in Riyadh on Sunday.
Everyone offered their congratulations on behalf of the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom on the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah, received the Consul General of Kenya in Jeddah Aden Mahmoud Mohammed, on Sunday. The two discussed topics of common interest.