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Saudi Gazette
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia celebrates Saudi Green Initiative Day, highlights nationwide sustainability efforts
Saudi Gazette Report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia marked its second annual Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Day on Thursday, commemorating the ambitious national program launched in 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister and Chairman of the SGI Higher Committee. The event highlights the Kingdom's accelerating environmental efforts and its commitment to collective action toward sustainability. SGI Day, themed 'Promoting a culture of environmental stewardship,' capped a month-long campaign that united citizens, public institutions, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations in activities aimed at combating environmental challenges. Throughout March, communities across the Kingdom joined forces to highlight shared responsibility for sustainable change. This year's SGI Day follows the strong momentum generated during the SGI Forum in December 2024, which was held alongside the UNCCD's COP16 Conference in Riyadh. The forum served as a platform for global dialogue on environmental challenges, green transformation, and collaboration, with participation from policymakers, business leaders, and experts. Since its inception, SGI has launched more than 85 initiatives across all 13 regions of the Kingdom, backed by investments exceeding SR705 billion. These efforts are driving progress toward SGI's core goals: reducing emissions, increasing afforestation and land restoration, and protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Significant achievements include connecting 6.6 GW of renewable energy to the national grid in 2024, with 44.2 GW currently under development. The Liquid Fuel Displacement Program, which operates four highly efficient natural gas power plants with a combined capacity of 5.6 GW, is further contributing to Saudi Arabia's 2030 energy mix goals. In terms of environmental restoration, over 115 million trees have been planted and 118,000 hectares of degraded land rehabilitated — equivalent to more than 165,000 football fields. Additionally, more than 7,500 endangered animals, including cheetahs, oryx, gazelles, ibex, and houbara, have been successfully rewilded through targeted breeding programs. A standout example of local impact is the birth of four cheetah cubs in 2024, the first in Saudi Arabia in over four decades, made possible through the National Cheetah Conservation Program and local community involvement. Meanwhile, the National Center for Vegetation Cover has planted over 37 million mangrove saplings along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, supporting both ecological preservation and sustainable economic opportunities. The Prince Mohammad bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority also launched a pioneering program to train Saudi women as park rangers — the first of its kind in the Middle East — empowering them to play active roles in conservation and natural heritage protection. These efforts reflect SGI's core principle: sustainability is a shared responsibility. From urban neighborhoods to rural communities, Saudis are demonstrating that grassroots action is essential to achieving national and global environmental goals.
Leaders
27-03-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Green Initiative Day: Fostering Culture of Environmental Responsibility
Saudi Arabia celebrates its second annual Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Day today, March 27, commemorating the launch of the initiative in 2021 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the SGI Higher Committee. The day highlights the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action, and green development under the ambitious SGI vision. Saudi Green Initiative The Saudi Green Initiative is a nationwide effort to drive measurable environmental action, enhancing quality of life in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. By integrating environmental protection, energy transition, and sustainability programs, SGI focuses on reducing emissions, expanding afforestation, restoring land, and safeguarding Saudi Arabia's terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Through a comprehensive approach, SGI plays a pivotal role in advancing regional and global sustainability collaboration. Under this year's theme, 'Promoting a Culture of Environmental Stewardship,' SGI Day highlights the power of collective action, uniting citizens, government entities, businesses, and nonprofits to tackle environmental challenges. The celebration concludes a month-long campaign, showcasing nationwide efforts toward sustainability. Community Engagement, Awareness Campaigns Throughout March, communities across the Kingdom participated in sustainability initiatives, supported by two major SGI awareness campaigns: #GreenRamadan encouraged individuals to share sustainable practices during Ramadan, such as reducing food waste, conserving water, and saving energy. Today, an interactive live mosaic on the SGI Day website highlights these inspiring actions, with contributions continuing beyond Ramadan. #PawsToChangeChallenge, led by SGI's mascot Namour, motivated Saudi youth to adopt and share simple yet impactful sustainable habits on social media. Building on Global Momentum SGI Day 2025 follows the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, held alongside COP16 Riyadh last December. Additionally, the forum strengthened dialogue among policymakers, business leaders, and experts on addressing environmental challenges and advancing green transformation. Key Achievements, Progress The investments exceeding SAR 705 billion, SGI is driving 85+ initiatives across all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia, making significant strides toward its goals: Renewable Energy: 6.6 GW of clean energy capacity was added to the grid, with 44.2 GW under development. Emission Reduction: The Liquid Fuel Displacement Program operates four natural gas power plants (5.6 GW total), supporting the Kingdom's 2030 energy mix goals. Afforestation & Land Restoration: 115 million trees planted and 118,000 hectares of degraded land rehabilitated (equivalent to 165,000+ football fields) as of 2024. Wildlife Conservation: Over 7,500 endangered animals, including the Arabian oryx, gazelles, ibex, houbara, and cheetahs, have been reintroduced through 10+ breeding and rewilding programs. Moreover, these milestones reflect Saudi Arabia's steadfast commitment to a sustainable future, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship and reinforcing its leadership in global sustainability efforts. For more details, visit SGI Day's official website. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia to Mark Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27 Enhancing Afforestation: Saudi Green Initiative to Incorporate All Environmental Projects 1 Billion Trees Project Launches as Part of Saudi Green Initiative Preview: Saudi Arabia in Tough Mission against Japan in World Cup Qualifiers Short link : Post Views: 19
Trade Arabia
27-03-2025
- General
- Trade Arabia
Saudi communities creating greener, more sustainable kingdom
From neighbourhoods to nature reserves, communities across Saudi Arabia are driving meaningful environmental change through sustainability-led initiatives, demonstrating the power of local action in fulfilling the kingdom's green ambitions, said environmental experts on its annual Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Day. Saudi Arabia today (March 27) marks SGI Day, a pivotal moment dedicated to uniting people across the kingdom and encouraging them to take tangible steps that contribute to advancing environmental progress. Held under the patronage of HRH Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Saudi Green Initiative is charting a path for the kingdom in protecting the planet. With ambitious targets spanning the coming decades, the national initiative aims to improve quality of life and protect future generations by increasing reliance on clean energy, offsetting the impact of fossil fuels, and protecting the environment. SGI Day stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability, offering a platform for citizens, organizations and institutions to come together and demonstrate their dedication to addressing environmental challenges. Through shared initiatives and collective efforts, SGI Day aims to raise awareness, promote environmental consciousness and drive meaningful change. From urban neighbourhoods to rural villages, citizens are taking ownership of environmental challenges through community-led projects and cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship, stated the experts. Community partnerships are key to conservation success across the kingdom with education and awareness programs fostering coexistence between local communities and wildlife, ensuring that conservation efforts are sustainable and beneficial for both people and nature. In 2024, the National Cheetah Conservation Program celebrated the birth of four cubs, the first in Saudi Arabia in over 40 years, with community partnerships playing a crucial role engaging local stakeholders as conservation allies rather than observers. Elsewhere, the ongoing work of the National Center for Vegetation cover has seen over 37 million mangrove saplings planted across the shores of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. This landmark initiative is underpinned by engagement of local communities which are benefiting from the provision of resources and sustainable economic growth through fishing and ecotourism. The leadership of Saudi Arabia's Royal Reserves has also been instrumental in connecting conservation with community involvement. The Prince Mohammad bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, notes the reserve's pioneering programme to train female rangers – the first such training program in the Middle East. According to experts, these diverse initiatives represent the kingdom's whole-of-society approach to sustainability, where every citizen can contribute to environmental stewardship.
Zawya
27-03-2025
- General
- Zawya
Saudi communities creating greener, more sustainable kingdom
Saudi Arabia - From neighbourhoods to nature reserves - communities across Saudi Arabia are driving meaningful environmental change through sustainability-led initiatives, demonstrating the power of local action in fulfilling the kingdom's green ambitions, said environmental experts on its annual Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Day. Saudi Arabia today (March 27) marks SGI Day, a pivotal moment dedicated to uniting people across the kingdom and encouraging them to take tangible steps that contribute to advancing environmental progress. Held under the patronage of HRH Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Saudi Green Initiative is charting a path for the kingdom in protecting the planet. With ambitious targets spanning the coming decades, the national initiative aims to improve quality of life and protect future generations by increasing reliance on clean energy, offsetting the impact of fossil fuels, and protecting the environment. SGI Day stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability, offering a platform for citizens, organizations and institutions to come together and demonstrate their dedication to addressing environmental challenges. Through shared initiatives and collective efforts, SGI Day aims to raise awareness, promote environmental consciousness and drive meaningful change. From urban neighbourhoods to rural villages, citizens are taking ownership of environmental challenges through community-led projects and cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship, stated the experts. Community partnerships are key to conservation success across the kingdom with education and awareness programs fostering coexistence between local communities and wildlife, ensuring that conservation efforts are sustainable and beneficial for both people and nature. In 2024, the National Cheetah Conservation Program celebrated the birth of four cubs, the first in Saudi Arabia in over 40 years, with community partnerships playing a crucial role engaging local stakeholders as conservation allies rather than observers. Elsewhere, the ongoing work of the National Center for Vegetation cover has seen over 37 million mangrove saplings planted across the shores of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. This landmark initiative is underpinned by engagement of local communities which are benefiting from the provision of resources and sustainable economic growth through fishing and ecotourism. The leadership of Saudi Arabia's Royal Reserves has also been instrumental in connecting conservation with community involvement. The Prince Mohammad bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, notes the reserve's pioneering programme to train female rangers – the first such training program in the Middle East. According to experts, these diverse initiatives represent the kingdom's whole-of-society approach to sustainability, where every citizen can contribute to environmental stewardship. By harnessing local knowledge and passion, communities are proving that the path to a greener Saudi Arabia begins in neighbourhoods, towns and homes across the nation, they added. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
26-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Celebrating SGI Day: a journey of progress, unity, and bold ambition
The path to climate action is too often hindered by divisiveness and doubt. But in Saudi Arabia, we are not waiting for consensus — we are creating it. With optimism as our compass, pragmatism as our guide, and responsibility as our strength, the Kingdom is charting a course to build a better, greener world with an unwavering commitment. Not simply with words, but with action. The Saudi Green Initiative is a living testament to what purposeful progress can lead to… grounded in the belief that climate action needs not to be a distant hope — but part of today's agenda, fueled by the power of our collective will. This week, we celebrate the second annual SGI Day. It is a day to take a moment to recognize how far we have come. But also, to focus on what comes next and where we need to go to build a sustainable tomorrow. To come together with a shared sense of purpose. SGI Day is not just a commemoration. It is a rallying call across our nation and a reminder that everyone can play a part in a greener future. We will celebrate progress, not as milestones, but as inspirations for bolder steps, bigger dreams, and unrelenting momentum. Since its inception in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative has led to unprecedented transformation and bold action. We are slashing emissions, planting forests where once there was only sand, and safeguarding our land, coastlines, and seas with determination. Last year, the Kingdom stood tall on the global stage, hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties, or COP16, to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification — the largest gathering of its kind. Nearly 200 nations united in a shared mission to heal the earth. The result? Over $12 billion pledged to combat drought and restore degraded landscapes — yet another example of Saudi Arabia's work as a force for good and its role as a bridge for global cooperation, uniting diverse interests in a common cause. At home, the fruits of SGI are blooming vividly. We are making rapid progress toward our renewable energy goals, with a portfolio now surpassing 44 gigawatts — 6.6 GW already lighting up more than a million homes. Imagine: a million families powered by the sun and wind, a million lives benefiting from the promise of clean energy. That is something that would have been considered a fantasy just a few years ago. Meanwhile, our hands are deep in the soil, planting over 115 million trees and breathing life into 118,000 hectares of once-barren land as we march toward our audacious goal of 10 billion trees planted, restoring 40 million hectares of degraded land — an area larger than Germany — a vision as vast as our horizons. And in our wild places, conservation continues to triumph with over 7,500 endangered animals roaming free once more, and cheetah cubs — born on Saudi soil for the first time in over 40 years — symbolizing nature's rebirth. These are stories of resilience and a narrative of a nation reaffirming its bond with the planet. Yet our gaze is fixed firmly on the future. In 2025, the world will gather at COP30 to weigh our collective progress — a moment that will shape the course of global climate action. As the current UNCCD Presidency holder, Saudi Arabia will not merely participate — we will lead. Desertification and land degradation are not abstract threats; they strike at the heart of economies, communities, and lives. We will champion solutions that will reverberate far beyond our borders, proving that environmental stewardship is inseparable from human prosperity. SGI Day is more than a celebration — it is a clarion call. To governments, we say: act with courage. To businesses, we urge: innovate with purpose. To every individual, we invite: join us with conviction. The road to sustainability is not paved by a single triumph but by the steady drumbeat of action — day after day, choice after choice. The future is not something that comes at us; it's something we create. Saudi Arabia is indeed creating that future, not with words alone, but with solutions that stand as proof: climate action is not a dream — it is a reality we are building together. The years ahead will test us all with defining choices. Saudi Arabia's choice is unwavering: to harness our momentum, pioneer answers, and deliver impact that endures. SGI Day embodies that resolve — a beacon of optimism, a commitment to action, and a promise that the greatest force for change lies within each of us. Let us seize the day together and show the world what is possible when a nation harnesses its potential. Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud is Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US.
