On the sidelines of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Saudi Green Building Forum set up a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives and made substantial investments in green energy to meet its targets of cutting carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development, as part of its ambitious Vision 2030.
Firm Commitment
Stressing the importance of committing to initiatives that promote green transformation, the Secretary-General of the Saudi Green Building Forum, Faisal Al-Fadl, said: “The commitment to sustainable practices and green business initiatives is crucial for achieving the goals outlined in the ‘Urgent Green Actions for Global Agenda 2030.”
Al-Fadl added: “We emphasize this commitment on sustainable practices and green initiatives that play a vital role in creating a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future,” according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
High Emissions
Al-Fadl pointed out that in 2022, buildings accounted for 34% of global energy demand, 37% of carbon dioxide emissions related to energy and operations, and 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, investment in building decarbonization surpassed $285bn. However, expectations suggest that the costs will decrease in the future.
The Secretary-General of the Saudi Green Building Forum said: “We recognize the role of green building standards and certifications as a tool for shaping policies to support the elimination of carbon emissions across the lifecycle of buildings and setting building renovation priorities.”
Moreover, Al-Fadl underscored a firm commitment to sustainability through advocacy, collaboration and practical action, saying this is “paving the way towards a more resilient, equitable and sustainable built environment.”
Partnerships and Cooperation
The UN emphasized the significance of partnerships in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan, adopted by Saudi Arabia along with all the 193 UN member states in 2015, stated that the goals cannot be achieved without partnerships.
The HLPF also pointed that the UN agenda recognizes that governments cannot confront the global challenges outlined in the SDGs on their own, hence cooperation across all sectors is crucial.
Within this context, the Saudi Green Building Forum has harnessed its role as an observer at the UN in shaping the UN response to climate change and environmental issues.
High-level Political Forum
The HLPF 2024 is running from July 8 to July 17, 2024, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Under the theme of “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions,” the HLPF is reviewing 5 SDGs in-depth.
These include:
- Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere;
- Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture;
- Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;
- Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and
- Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Saudi Green Building Forum
Since its establishment in 2010, the Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) has played a central role in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable development. Furthermore, the SGBF serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, advancing the Kingdom’s sustainability agenda and shaping the future of green building and urban development in the region.
The 14th edition of the Saudi Green Building Forum will take place from October 6-8, 2024, under the patronage of the Saudi Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail. The aim of this year’s edition is to stress the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.
Saudi Green Initiative
Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives to support its green transformation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.
Aiming to achieve net zero by 2060, the Kingdom has committed to generate 50% of its power from renewable sources by 2030. Furthermore, the Saudi Green Initiative has launched a number of initiatives to reduce emissions. These include investing in new energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, as well as developing a program for carbon capture and storage.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has made substantial investments to develop diverse renewable energy sources in order to meet its climate targets and ensure a sustainable future. These include projects in solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy.
