Latest news with #MiddleEastGreenInitiative
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia, UNEP sign cooperation deal for emissions reduction and global climate action
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Undersecretary General of the United Nations Inger Andersen in Riyadh on Sunday. They discussed cooperation on climate action and joint efforts to advance the objectives of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. The two sides also discussed Saudi Arabia's climate initiatives, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as other efforts undertaken by the Kingdom to expand renewable energy and reduce emissions through the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) framework. During the meeting, the Ministry of Energy and UNEP signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate under the Regional Cooperation for Emissions Reduction Initiative. The agreement aims to support MENA countries in achieving their climate goals by promoting clean energy technologies and developing relevant policy frameworks to advance climate action. The MoU reflects shared goals to enhance resource efficiency and lower carbon emissions through a comprehensive, balanced and sustainable approach. Areas of cooperation include policy research and recommendations, partnerships with international organizations, participation in climate and CCE-related events, exchange of knowledge and best practices, and the development of climate policy frameworks, supported by regional and global climate networking activities.
CairoScene
17-06-2025
- Science
- CairoScene
University Initiative Collects 15 Tonnes of Waste During Hajj Season
The effort was part of King Abdulaziz University's 'Green Spots' initiative. King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, through its KAU Endowment and the Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, has collected 15 tonnes of waste during this year's Hajj season as part of its 'Green Spots' initiative, which promotes sustainability and environmental awareness among pilgrims and the wider community. The collected waste was sorted and recycled, helping maintain cleaner public spaces and reinforcing the Kingdom's broader environmental and health objectives. This initiative is one of several efforts across Saudi Arabia to support the country's Vision 2030 goals. The university itself has implemented additional sustainability programmes, including on-campus recycling stations and green building practices. On a national level, Saudi Arabia has launched initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, both aimed at increasing vegetation cover, reducing carbon emissions, and protecting natural ecosystems across the region.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Environment minister highlights Kingdom's role in green initiatives across Arab region
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental issues is helping to drive green initiatives across the region, the Kingdom's minister of environment, water and agriculture said. Speaking at the 18th meeting of the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe in Cairo, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli underscored the Arab region's growing environmental momentum. That surge, led by Saudi Arabia, he said, had driven key initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative, which seeks to enhance regional collaboration to combat land degradation, protect green spaces, ensure food security and adapt to climate change. Al-Fadhli praised the center's efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Arab and European regions and to share environmental and developmental expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The meeting focused on improving the center's operations and efficiency, with discussions highlighting the need to redefine its goals to meet current and future challenges. Delegates also reviewed the center's strategic plans, assessed its institutional and financial capacity for sustained program delivery and explored ways to enhance regional cooperation in the circular economy to support sustainable development goals, the report said. Al-Fadhli highlighted the Arab region's efforts to tackle global environmental challenges, with Egypt hosting the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in 2022 and the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023. Saudi Arabia last year hosted COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, reflecting the region's commitment to environmental conservation. Al-Fadhli reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to working with environmental stakeholders regionally and globally, to address environmental challenges and promote a sustainable future.
Syyaha
14-05-2025
- Science
- Syyaha
Arthur D. Little Spotlights Scalable Technologies to Combat Land Degradation in the World's Harshest Climates
As climate pressures intensify globally, countries in hyper-arid zones such as the Gulf are facing some of the most acute environmental challenges. Land degradation and desertification threaten food security, water availability, and ecosystem stability. The report emphasizes that while these issues are global, their impact is often more severe in regions like the GCC, and require coordinated, technology-led solutions to address effectively.'In hyper-arid regions, innovation and the scale-up of greening technologies are no longer optional, they are essential to effectively combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and secure long-term food and water resilience. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies unlock significant socio-economic gains by revitalizing rural livelihoods, creating green jobs, and strengthening climate adaptation capacity.' said Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. study identifies five transformative technologies: AI systems for precision land management, IoT-based sensors enabling real-time environmental feedback, biochar production for soil regeneration, localized composting for organic nutrient cycling, and genetic engineering where socially and culturally appropriate. These technologies are distinguished not only by their ecological promise but also by their alignment with region-specific conditions such as extreme heat, limited freshwater, and fragile soils. They have been evaluated through Arthur D. Little's proprietary foresight framework, connecting global research trends with on-the-ground applicability.'Real impact lies not just in identifying technologies, but in prioritizing those that are both promising and practical rooted in strong scientific research, adapted to the harsh realities of hyper-arid environments, and backed by growing investment and market momentum. We focus on solutions with the greatest potential to scale where they are needed most and when urgency can no longer be postponed' added Marielli Bou the GCC, national greening campaigns and restoration targets are gaining traction. Saudi Arabia's 10 billion-tree pledge and its leadership role in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) – aiming to restore 200 million hectares – are major drivers of experimentation and innovation. Yet progress is not isolated. The UAE, Qatar, and others are advancing pilot programs that provide models for cross-border replication and scale.'Innovation thrives when minds unite entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, government, and communities, fuelling green technologies that root deep in Middle Eastern soil, growing a sustainable future for generations to come,' said Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. results are emerging, including AI-driven irrigation improving water efficiency by 40 to 50 percent, biochar reducing reliance on traditional water inputs, composting increasing yields in nutrient-poor soils, and sensor networks streamlining restoration efforts through predictive maximize impact, the study calls for urgent action around four key levers: align policy and investment across GCC and neighboring countries under initiatives like MGI, expand R&D ecosystems to localize emerging global tech, create regional centers for innovation exchange and upskilling, and enable blended finance models to drive scale through public-private partnerships.'With climate pressures accelerating, the region must move from pilot projects to scalable transformation,' Juan Moreno emphasized. 'This report is a practical guide for policymakers, investors, and innovators committed to reversing land degradation and building long-term resilience.' Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid regions is no longer a future ambition, it's a present-day economic, environmental, and geopolitical imperative. The time to act is now.
Web Release
14-05-2025
- Science
- Web Release
Arthur D. Little Spotlights Scalable Technologies to Combat Land Degradation in the World's Harshest Climates
As climate pressures intensify globally, countries in hyper-arid zones such as the Gulf are facing some of the most acute environmental challenges. Land degradation and desertification threaten food security, water availability, and ecosystem stability. The report emphasizes that while these issues are global, their impact is often more severe in regions like the GCC, and require coordinated, technology-led solutions to address effectively. 'In hyper-arid regions, innovation and the scale-up of greening technologies are no longer optional, they are essential to effectively combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and secure long-term food and water resilience. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies unlock significant socio-economic gains by revitalizing rural livelihoods, creating green jobs, and strengthening climate adaptation capacity.' said Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. Little. The study identifies five transformative technologies: AI systems for precision land management, IoT-based sensors enabling real-time environmental feedback, biochar production for soil regeneration, localized composting for organic nutrient cycling, and genetic engineering where socially and culturally appropriate. These technologies are distinguished not only by their ecological promise but also by their alignment with region-specific conditions such as extreme heat, limited freshwater, and fragile soils. They have been evaluated through Arthur D. Little's proprietary foresight framework, connecting global research trends with on-the-ground applicability. 'Real impact lies not just in identifying technologies, but in prioritizing those that are both promising and practical rooted in strong scientific research, adapted to the harsh realities of hyper-arid environments, and backed by growing investment and market momentum. We focus on solutions with the greatest potential to scale where they are needed most and when urgency can no longer be postponed' added Marielli Bou Harb. Across the GCC, national greening campaigns and restoration targets are gaining traction. Saudi Arabia's 10 billion-tree pledge and its leadership role in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) – aiming to restore 200 million hectares – are major drivers of experimentation and innovation. Yet progress is not isolated. The UAE, Qatar, and others are advancing pilot programs that provide models for cross-border replication and scale. 'Innovation thrives when minds unite entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, government, and communities, fuelling green technologies that root deep in Middle Eastern soil, growing a sustainable future for generations to come,' said Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. Little. Concrete results are emerging, including AI-driven irrigation improving water efficiency by 40 to 50 percent, biochar reducing reliance on traditional water inputs, composting increasing yields in nutrient-poor soils, and sensor networks streamlining restoration efforts through predictive data. To maximize impact, the study calls for urgent action around four key levers: align policy and investment across GCC and neighboring countries under initiatives like MGI, expand R&D ecosystems to localize emerging global tech, create regional centers for innovation exchange and upskilling, and enable blended finance models to drive scale through public-private partnerships. 'With climate pressures accelerating, the region must move from pilot projects to scalable transformation,' Juan Moreno emphasized. 'This report is a practical guide for policymakers, investors, and innovators committed to reversing land degradation and building long-term resilience.' Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid regions is no longer a future ambition, it's a present-day economic, environmental, and geopolitical imperative. The time to act is now.
