Saudi Green Initiative: Targets and progress so far
Saudi Arabia this week marked its first Saudi Green Initiative Day, emphasizing the Kingdom’s efforts and dedication toward working for a greener future. Since its launch by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, SGI has come a long way.
What is Saudi Green Initiative?
The SGI was launched by MBS on March 27, 2021, and has since played an important role in accelerating environment protection efforts, transitioning the energy sector, and implementing sustainability programs in various fields.
It is considered a natural extension to Saudi Vision 2030 that also looks at improving the quality of life for generations to come.
Why is this important?
The Saudi government last week declared March 27 of every year as SGI Day as it coincides with the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative on the same date in 2021.
The annual climate action awareness day aims to raise awareness of the progress that has been made so far and encourage collective action to contribute to a greener future.
SGI targets and progress so far
Among the main targets of the SGI is to protect 30 percent of the Kingdom’s land and sea by 2030.
18.1 percent of land and 6.49 percent of the Kingdom’s marine environments are currently under protection, according to the SGI website.
Saudi Arabia has also worked to protect endangered species where over 1,660 endangered animals “have been rewilded in Saudi Arabia’s growing nature reserves, including Arabian oryx, Arabian and sand gazelles and Nubian ibex.”
For example, in 2023, seven Arabian leopard cubs were born under the conservation breeding program in Taif.
“The hugely successful program has nearly doubled the number of leopards under its protection since it started.”
Targets also include reducing emissions by 278 Mtpa carbon by 2030.
According to the SGI website, a 8 GW renewable energy has been connected to the Kingdom’s grid, generating energy equivalent to powering over 520,000 homes.
An additional 8.4 GW of renewable energy is under construction and 3.3 GW is under development. This will generate energy equivalent to powering an extra two million homes.
“This increase in installed capacity demonstrates the pace at which Saudi Arabia is accelerating its energy transition to achieve 50 percent power generation capacity from renewable sources by 2030.”
Over 49 million trees planted
The Kingdom’s progress has also been reflected in the efforts to create greener spaces. With a target of growing 10 billion trees over the coming decades, over 49 million trees and shrubs have so far been planted.
“94,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated – equivalent to over 146,000 football fields.”
