RIYADH — The Saudi Green Initiative has affirmed the Kingdom's pioneering role to bring about a qualitative shift internally and regionally toward climate change, according to a report issued in Riyadh on Friday.

The report was issued to highlight the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) forum, which will be hosted in Riyadh next Saturday.

The forum will contribute to unifying all plans aimed at achieving sustainability in the Kingdom, increasing reliance on clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, as well as combating climate change.

Since the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in 2016, the Kingdom has made effective efforts to protect the environment and reduce the effects of climate change.

The Saudi Green Initiative will combine environmental protection, energy conversion, and sustainability programs to achieve three comprehensive goals aimed at building a sustainable future for all by reducing carbon emissions, afforestation and protecting land and sea environments.

It envisions the planting of 10 billion trees in the Kingdom over the next two decades as part of a wider Middle East Green Initiative that will eventually see a total of 50 billion trees planted in the region.

On the energy side, reducing carbon emissions is critical to slowing the effects of climate change and rebalancing the environment.

The Kingdom is making unremitting efforts to strengthen and unify efforts to combat the climate crisis under the auspices of the Saudi Green Initiative. It is implementing a growing number of renewable energy projects with the aim of reducing carbon emissions by more than 4% of the global contribution.

By 2030, 50% of Saudi electricity production will be through renewable energy projects. It is expected cut down about 130 million tons of carbon emissions through the implementation of projects in the field of clean hydrocarbon technology, and raising the rate of waste diversion on landfills to 94%.

Furthermore, the project is aimed at providing buildings, various industries and means of transportation with necessary energy efficiently and effectively for progress and achievement through current renewable energy projects that will produce enough energy to supply 600,000 homes with electricity, which means reducing greenhouse gases by the equivalent of 7 million tons annually.

Moreover, $7 billion will be invested annually in solutions that contribute to reducing carbon emissions by the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCL) in which Saudi Aramco is a founding member. More than 35 initiatives will be allocated to enhance energy efficiency throughout the Kingdom to reduce its consumption and waste.

Also as part of the strategic plan to expand the railway network, the length of the railways will reach 9,900 km, which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions from vehicles.

Afforestation is the cornerstone of the Saudi Green Initiative, as it contributes to improving air quality, reducing sand storms and combating desertification, in addition to lowering temperatures in neighboring areas. Over 10 billion trees will be planted throughout the Kingdom to rehabilitate 40 million hectares of land during the coming decades.

The Kingdom, as a leading global oil producer, is fully aware of its share of responsibility in addressing the climate crisis, and it seeks to provide innovative solutions that support the combat against climate change at a time when reliance on renewable energy sources has become an imperative.

The Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum will highlight the Kingdom's efforts to protect the environment. The presence of global leaders from various fields of society will lead the forum to take significant measures and launch innovative solutions that contribute to combating climate change.

The forum will also aim to mobilize the efforts of the entire community, promote meaningful dialogue to reach effective solutions through opinions enhanced by scientific evidence presented by senior environmental experts in the world, and develop a roadmap for the initiative through a comprehensive plan for the Kingdom to achieve and follow up on its ambitious goals.

It will also bring together under one roof the entire climate system to achieve the national goals, under the slogan of a new era of action. — SPA