Latest news with #EnvironmentFund
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Environment Fund signs research agreements with Saudi research institutions to advance environmental innovation
Saudi Arabia's Environment Fund signs research agreements with Saudi research institutions to fund studies on afforestation, water reuse, greywater treatment, seed banking, and coral reef restoration. The agreements reflect the Fund's commitment to fostering applied environmental research and innovation in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's Environment Fund has signed collaborative research agreements with leading Saudi research institutions to support environmental research across various themes including sustainable plant production, wastewater reuse, greywater treatment, coral regeneration, seed bank development, and nanotechnology applications. This initiative underscores the Fund's commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in environmental innovation and contributes to the Kingdom's long term sustainability agenda under Vision 2030. Further, these research collaborations are also designed to bridge academic expertise with national environmental priorities, supporting practical solutions that enhance climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource sustainability. Speaking of the agreements with the research institutions, 'These agreements position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of scientific and environmental innovation. By nurturing academic talent and promoting environmental research more widely, we are building localized capacity to develop impactful solutions relevant to Saudi Arabia and able to respond to global concerns,' said Munir bin Fahad Al-Sahli, CEO of the Environment Fund. Among the institutions with which the Environment Fund has finalized research agreements are Tabuk University, University of Jeddah, Northern Border University, King Saud University, and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. These institutions will conduct research in areas such as seed banking and plant conservation, solar-powered water recovery, coral regeneration, greywater treatment using biotechnological methods, environmental nanocomposites, afforestation, and agrivoltaics. Additional agreements with other institutions are currently under review or pending approval. A notable project is a partnership with the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) to support the development of a smart-decision framework for coral restoration. The project applies advanced physiological screening and long-term monitoring to identify heat-resilient coral colonies, contributing to more effective restoration outcomes and supporting marine biodiversity in the face of climate change. The Environment Fund continues to strengthen its collaboration with academic and research institutions as part of its broader strategy to enhance environmental knowledge, foster innovation, and support the national green transition in line with Vision 2030.
Arab News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Nationwide drive trains Saudi youth in sustainability
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Environment Fund has concluded its 'Friends of the Environment' initiative, which benefited 13,552 students from 331 schools across 13 administrative regions. The program aimed to raise environmental awareness among youth and was carried out in partnership with INJAZ Saudi Arabia, a nonprofit that empowers young Saudis with practical skills for the workforce. Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, acting CEO of the fund, said the initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Environment Strategy, which seek to enhance and sustain the environmental sector and strengthen the Kingdom's leadership in the field. The fund plays a central role in realizing these goals. Munir Al-Sahli, acting CEO of the fund, said that the project is a model of collaboration between environmental, educational, and nonprofit sectors, and reflects the fund's goal of fostering a generation that values and protects natural resources. More than 200 student counselors were trained to deliver the program, logging 135,520 training hours — exceeding the initial plan of 125,000 hours. The initiative also surpassed its target of reaching 12,500 students. Al-Sahli said that while the program has met its objectives, the fund remains committed to supporting similar efforts that raise environmental awareness among youth. He added that the project is a model of collaboration between environmental, educational, and nonprofit sectors, and reflects the fund's goal of fostering a generation that values and protects natural resources. The 'Friends of the Environment' initiative is part of the Incentives and Grants Program, an online platform launched by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in mid-2024. The program supports 16 tracks across various environmental fields, and applicants can apply through the Environmental Fund's website. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia introduced a new environmental financing initiative worth SR1 billion ($267 million), backed by Riyad Bank, to boost private sector involvement in sustainable projects. It was announced by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, who is also the chairman of the fund. The initiative aims to strengthen funding for environmental efforts and provide incentives for standout projects. It forms part of a wider national strategy to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
How to get the best bang for your climate buck
Around the turn of this century, when global warming was still mostly a future threat rather than a present grim reality, it was common for people to debate whether it was real. I recall reading something that accurately predicted the deniers' playbook in a climate change version of the stages of grief. First they would deny it was happening. Then they would acknowledge it was real, but deny that humans had caused it or could do anything about it. Next they would appear to acknowledge the reality of anthropogenic climate change and the need to act, but ensure the debate became bogged down in the minutiae of what to do about it. Deniers still exist, but for the most part, we are in stage three. A case in point is the fact that we just fought an election in which a major party was proposing with a straight face that we should start a nationally owned, domestic nuclear energy program mostly from scratch. Whatever you think of nuclear energy, nearly all experts agreed this would cost too much, be too slow and keep ageing coal-fired power plants going well past the point of viability. There are still endless debates that we don't need to have. No, electric vehicles will not 'ruin your weekend', as former prime minister Scott Morrison once said. Yes, wind turbines really are green. No, offshore wind farms don't kill whales. Then there is legitimate policy debate. Taxpayer money is not a magic pudding, so governments wanting to fund emissions reduction or climate adaptation need to consider how to get the best bang for their climate buck. This is a concern in the growing world of climate philanthropy, too – naturally, most donors want to ensure their money makes a difference. The question of how to get the best value becomes one of effective altruism – the philosophy that charity dollars should be spent where they will have the most impact. Climate philanthropists sometimes join giving circles such as Groundswell Giving or Effective Altruism Australia's Environment Fund, which conduct rigorous research to determine where to direct donations for outsized impact. The recipients may be lesser known and far from home – such as Project InnerSpace, a US non-profit organisation focused on geothermal energy globally. For governments, the decision of where to direct a climate budget is not made purely on climate grounds. Perhaps the most efficient way to reduce global greenhouse emissions is to pay to accelerate the shutdown of South Africa's notoriously dirty coal industry. But that's not going to fly for any Australian parliament because governments have a primary responsibility to their constituents. Good policy means both tackling climate change in a way that directly benefits citizens and residents of Australia.
The Age
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
How to get the best bang for your climate buck
Around the turn of this century, when global warming was still mostly a future threat rather than a present grim reality, it was common for people to debate whether it was real. I recall reading something that accurately predicted the deniers' playbook in a climate change version of the stages of grief. First they would deny it was happening. Then they would acknowledge it was real, but deny that humans had caused it or could do anything about it. Next they would appear to acknowledge the reality of anthropogenic climate change and the need to act, but ensure the debate became bogged down in the minutiae of what to do about it. Deniers still exist, but for the most part, we are in stage three. A case in point is the fact that we just fought an election in which a major party was proposing with a straight face that we should start a nationally owned, domestic nuclear energy program mostly from scratch. Whatever you think of nuclear energy, nearly all experts agreed this would cost too much, be too slow and keep ageing coal-fired power plants going well past the point of viability. There are still endless debates that we don't need to have. No, electric vehicles will not 'ruin your weekend', as former prime minister Scott Morrison once said. Yes, wind turbines really are green. No, offshore wind farms don't kill whales. Then there is legitimate policy debate. Taxpayer money is not a magic pudding, so governments wanting to fund emissions reduction or climate adaptation need to consider how to get the best bang for their climate buck. This is a concern in the growing world of climate philanthropy, too – naturally, most donors want to ensure their money makes a difference. The question of how to get the best value becomes one of effective altruism – the philosophy that charity dollars should be spent where they will have the most impact. Climate philanthropists sometimes join giving circles such as Groundswell Giving or Effective Altruism Australia's Environment Fund, which conduct rigorous research to determine where to direct donations for outsized impact. The recipients may be lesser known and far from home – such as Project InnerSpace, a US non-profit organisation focused on geothermal energy globally. For governments, the decision of where to direct a climate budget is not made purely on climate grounds. Perhaps the most efficient way to reduce global greenhouse emissions is to pay to accelerate the shutdown of South Africa's notoriously dirty coal industry. But that's not going to fly for any Australian parliament because governments have a primary responsibility to their constituents. Good policy means both tackling climate change in a way that directly benefits citizens and residents of Australia.
Arab News
21-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Healthier and greener nation is focus of Environment Week 2025
RIYADH: The organizers of Saudi Arabia's Environment Week are aiming to increase public engagement to secure a thriving and greener future for the country. The event began on Sunday and was attended by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir. Reema Obaid, one of the participants, told Arab News: 'We are here at the environmental awareness initiative, which is raising awareness about our environment for a healthier and greener environment.' Obaid explained that children can gather at her booth to plant seeds or cuttings. Then they can either take their plants with them or donate them to national parks in the Kingdom. Another activity is 'Green Leader,' under the nation's Environment Fund. It is a green bus symbolizing the country's sustainability journey from the past to the present. Weed Al-Balawi, a participant in the initiative, said they designed it to 'deliver major concepts regarding sustainability, resource conservation, ancestral heritage, and technology in environmental conservation.' The aim was to ensure a 'simple and enjoyable way to benefit the target group, which is the age group from primary to intermediate school,' said Al-Balawi. She said the education stations at the event were created for the public to experience how people used sustainable practices in the past on a daily basis to coexist with nature and biodiversity. The final station at the event showed current practices, which includes how people are now using technology to protect the environment, said Al-Balawi. One of the examples displayed was the camel's watering place, where people would dig a small well for the animals next to the one they used for drinking. This ancient technique was used to prevent diseases spreading from animals to humans, and to reduce the amount of wasted water. The theme of this year's event is 'Our Environment is a Treasure' and will be held until April 26. A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor progress and guide policy. There were 13 agreements signed between the ministry's entities and the private sector to improve collaboration in environmental projects.
