Latest news with #EnvironmentalFund
Arab News
27-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Volunteers join beach cleanup in Jeddah
JEDDAH: Volunteers and government agencies are working together as part of a two-week initiative to clean up Jeddah's beaches. The Environmental Fund, in collaboration with the Lenobadir Volunteer and Community Partnership Program, recently launched the 'Beach Protection and Restoration' initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The 14-day campaign, held under the patronage of Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, was organized in partnership with several government agencies to clean up two beaches along Jeddah's coast. It also aims to raise environmental awareness and encourage community participation. Activities will be implemented in four phases, targeting the western, southern, eastern, and northern coastal areas. Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, CEO of the Environmental Fund, said that while the project relies on technical analysis and AI technology for data collection and planning, active community involvement remains crucial for its success. Volunteer opportunities are open to university students, families, and individuals eager to contribute to preserving Saudi Arabia's coastal environments. The Lenobadir Volunteer and Community Partnership Program in Jeddah recently took part in an Environment Week 2025 exhibition organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's Makkah Region branch under the theme 'Our Environment is a Treasure.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-03-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
‘Saudi Green Initiative' Day: Progress Continues Toward a Sustainable Environment
Saudi Arabia will celebrate the annual Saudi Green Initiative Day on Thursday, showcasing national efforts to promote environmental sustainability and combat climate change. The event comes as the kingdom makes significant progress toward the initiative's goals, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021. The plan aims to cut carbon emissions, expand green cover, and protect natural resources. The Saudi Green Initiative has achieved significant milestones across various sectors in recent years, according to Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Since its launch, the kingdom has expanded its protected areas by more than 400%, rising from 4% of the country's territory in 2016 to 18% today. National parks have also seen a dramatic increase, growing 100-fold from 40,000 hectares to 4 million hectares, fostering vegetation across the kingdom. More than 300,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated through afforestation, protection efforts, and curbing wood-cutting practices, transforming once-barren areas into thriving landscapes. Saudi Arabia has planted around 140 million trees as part of its afforestation efforts, but success is measured by sustainability, not numbers, affirmed Faqeeha. He said all planted trees are native species and rely on renewable water sources, including dams, rainfall, and seawater. Mangroves, which thrive along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts, are a key focus of these efforts. At the latest Green Saudi Initiative annual forum, Saudi Arabia announced five new initiatives worth 225 million riyals ($60 million) and signed 14 memorandums of understanding, coinciding with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16). Faqeeha highlighted the kingdom's global environmental leadership. During its G20 presidency in 2020, Saudi Arabia launched the Global Land Initiative, which was endorsed by all member states. The kingdom also introduced the Global Coral Reef R&D Platform, aimed at restoring coral reefs and advancing research and development, with participation from 100 countries. Investing in the environment yields significant returns, whether social, economic, or environmental, said Faqeeha. He noted that Saudi Arabia has allocated hundreds of billions of riyals to support the Saudi Green Initiative. The initiative focuses on two main pillars: clean energy and carbon emission reductions, and the protection of biodiversity and desertification combat. Investments in these areas exceed 700 billion riyals, with a substantial contribution from the private sector. Additionally, Saudi Arabia launched the Environmental Fund, one of the largest environmental funds in the region, aimed at promoting sustainable environmental practices. The kingdom also adopted a National Environmental Strategy, comprising 64 initiatives covering various environmental sectors, including natural and marine habitat conservation, pollution reduction, enhanced meteorological services, and waste management. Speaking recently to Asharq Al-Awsat, Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy, highlighted that Saudi Arabia's investments and commitments within the Saudi Green Initiative encompass over 85 initiatives and projects, valued at more than $180 billion, underscoring the kingdom's dedication to achieving a sustainable environmental transformation.
Leaders
16-03-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Unveils SR1 Billion Green Initiative to Boost Eco-Friendly Projects
Saudi Arabia has announced a SR1 billion ($266.6 million) environmental financing initiative to accelerate private sector involvement in eco-friendly projects. Riyad Bank backs the program, which targets sustainable infrastructure and innovation. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, launched the initiative Sunday. He emphasized its role in advancing Vision 2030 goals, which prioritize environmental sustainability and quality-of-life improvements. Digital Platform Streamlines Eco-Friendly Investments A new digital platform for the Incentives and Grants Program debuted alongside the initiative. This tool simplifies access to funding, fosters innovation, and ensures efficient project execution. It also promotes regulatory compliance across industries. Munir Al-Sahli, CEO of the Environmental Fund, highlighted the program's aim to attract investments in environmental infrastructure. He noted it offers tailored financial solutions to encourage sustainable practices in businesses of all sizes. Vision 2030 Alignment and Strategic Goals Moreover, the initiative aligns with Vision 2030's focus on balancing economic growth and environmental conservation. Al-Sahli described the partnership with Riyad Bank as transformative, stressing its potential to boost meteorological services and green infrastructure. Additionally, grants and incentives will support SMEs, corporations, universities, and nonprofits. The program also seeks to enhance environmental awareness and reduce pollution through cross-sector collaborations. However, Al-Sahli urged environmental stakeholders to leverage the platform's resources and technical support. He reiterated the fund's commitment to creating lasting ecological impacts while driving economic diversification. By prioritizing innovation and compliance, the initiative aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leader in regional sustainability efforts. Applications for grants and incentives are now open to eligible entities nationwide. Short link : Post Views: 15
Arab News
16-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia launches $266m program to promote eco-friendly projects
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new environmental financing initiative worth SR1 billion ($266.6 million), supported by Riyad Bank, to encourage private sector participation in sustainable and eco-friendly projects. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Saudi Arabia's minister of environment, water, and agriculture and chairman of the Environmental Fund's board of directors, officially introduced the program on Sunday. The launch coincided with the unveiling of a new digital platform for the Incentives and Grants Program, designed to foster innovation and boost environmental investments. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives, which focus on promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life. Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, CEO of the Environmental Fund, emphasized that the financing program is aimed at attracting private sector investments to strengthen environmental infrastructure and meteorological services. He also noted that the program will encourage businesses across various sectors to adopt sustainable practices through innovative financial solutions. Al-Sahli described this partnership as a major step forward in funding environmental projects, highlighting that the new platform would offer incentives and support for outstanding environmental initiatives. These efforts are part of a broader national strategy to protect the environment and foster sustainable development. The financing program represents a significant milestone in enhancing environmental investments in the Kingdom. It provides businesses and entrepreneurs with resources and incentives to develop projects that not only improve quality of life but also contribute to sustainable environmental growth. The new electronic platform for the Incentives and Grants Program, which was launched alongside the financing initiative, is designed to streamline the process for beneficiaries and ensure efficient execution of environmental projects. The platform aims to promote eco-friendly practices, foster innovation, and encourage investment in the environmental sector, while also ensuring regulatory compliance across various industries. Al-Sahli reiterated the fund's commitment to offering both financial and technical support to ensure lasting positive impacts on the environment. He urged stakeholders in the environmental sector to explore the various opportunities available through the platform. The Incentives and Grants Program is expected to drive investment in environmental projects and improve compliance levels among institutions. It will provide grants and incentives to a broad range of entities, including small and medium-sized enterprises, corporations, research centers, universities, and nonprofit organizations. The Environmental Fund continues to develop and implement programs focused on protecting natural resources, reducing pollution, and raising environmental awareness. Through collaborations with government and private entities, it strives to balance economic growth with environmental conservation.
