Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that the Kingdom was aiming to reach zero-net emissions by 2060 through circular carbon economy.
He launched on Saturday the first edition of the annual forum of the Saudi Green Initiative in Riyadh, which will witness the introduction of new environmental initiatives for the Kingdom and will follow up on the progress of the ongoing programs within the Green Initiative.
In his speech, the Crown Prince revealed plans to cut carbon emissions by over 270mn tons per year as part of the Saudi Green Initiative; which he said would see investments of more than SAR700bn ($186.63bn).
He also announced the launch of the first package of qualitative initiatives in the Kingdom; as a road map for protecting the environment and facing the challenges of climate change.
The Crown Prince pointed to the start of the first phase of afforestation by planting more than 450 million trees; rehabilitating 8 million hectares of degraded lands. Besides, bringing the total protected areas in the Kingdom to more than 20 percent of total land area.
Underlining Saudi Arabia's determination to transform Riyadh into one of the most sustainable cities in the world; the Crown Prince said that the Kingdom was seeking to join the World Ocean Union; the Alliance to End Plastic Waste in Oceans and Beaches and the Sports for Climate Action Initiative.
He also revealed a project to establish the Ocean Exploration Foundation and a Global Center for Tourism Sustainability.
The Crown Prince affirmed that the Kingdom aims to reach zero-net emissions by 2060, through the circular carbon economy approach; which would enable its economic diversification. Besides, preserving the Kingdom's leading role in enhancing the security and stability of global energy markets.
