KSA Aims to Plant 600 Million Trees by 2030
Osama Faqih, the Deputy Minister for Environment Affairs in Saudi Arabia, discussed ambitious environmental goals in an interview with “Al Arabiya Business.” For example, the Kingdom aims to plant 600 million trees by 2030, a significant increase from the current 40 million.
Expansion of Protected Areas
Besides the plan to plant 600 million trees, Faqih added that Saudi Arabia plans to increase its terrestrial and marine protected areas to 30% of the country’s total area by 2030. This is a rise from the current 16% and a substantial leap from 4.3% in 2016.
Investment Opportunities in Waste Management
Faqih highlighted the presence of “billion-dollar” investment opportunities in the waste management sector. This is part of the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to divert 94% of municipal solid waste from landfills by 2035. Moreover, the strategy includes partnering with the private sector to convert waste into fuel or energy.
Focus of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum 2023
The third edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum 2023, which began in Dubai, focuses on financing climate action activities. It also emphasizes innovation in clean energy solutions and the protection of wilderness and marine areas in the Kingdom.
Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Strategy
Launched in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative focuses on combating climate change, enhancing quality of life, and environmental protection. The initiative also aims for net-zero emissions by 2060 and is rapidly expanding climate action in the Kingdom with 77 initiatives, representing an investment of over $186 billion.
Key Goals of the Initiative
The initiative’s primary objectives include reducing carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030, planting 10 billion trees, and protecting 30% of Saudi Arabia’s terrestrial and marine areas by the same year, as stated on the official “Vision 2030” website.
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