Green Technology Adoption

Saudi Arabia’s green tech policies are driven by national frameworks like:

• Saudi Green Initiative (SGI): Launched in 2021, SGI consolidates sustainability efforts under one national vision. It focuses on reducing carbon emissions, enhancing afforestation, and protecting land and marine environments. The initiative includes over 85 programs with a combined investment exceeding SAR 705 billion.
• National Renewable Energy Program (NREP): Overseen by the Ministry of Energy, this program targets a 50% renewable energy contribution to the national energy mix by 2030.
• Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Framework: Saudi Arabia champions this model to reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove carbon emissions, approved by the G20 in 2020.

• SDAIA Green Government Platform: This AI-driven platform monitors energy consumption across government entities, optimizing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
  • Timeline: Launched in 2023, with phased expansion ongoing.
  • Impact: Supports sustainable resource management and decision-making.
• NEOM’s Oxagon & The Line: NEOM’s projects exemplify sustainable urban planning powered entirely by renewable energy and integrate cutting-edge green technologies in water management, energy, and mobility.
  • Timeline: Construction began in 2021, with phased completions through 2030.
  • Impact: Aims for zero-carbon, zero-waste cities.
• King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative: Aims to boost renewable energy production and support the development of solar and wind farms.
  • Timeline: Launched in 2016, with ongoing projects including Sakaka PV and Dumat Al Jandal wind farms.
  • Impact: Significant reduction in carbon emissions and increased renewable energy contribution.
• Saudi Energy Efficiency Program (SEEP): A national program promoting energy conservation across industries, transportation, and buildings.
  • Impact: Demonstrated reductions in energy consumption intensity in industrial and residential sectors.
• Riyadh Green Program: One of the largest urban greening initiatives globally, aiming to plant 7.5 million trees in Riyadh.
  • Timeline: Launched in 2019, ongoing through 2030.
  • Impact: Enhances air quality, reduces temperatures, and increases green cover.

Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) has made significant achievements in the field of artificial intelligence that contribute to improving the lives and behaviors of individuals, fostering a healthier and more sustainable environment, and Green Government. For example, SDAIA provides products that replace traditional paper-based transactions with e-transactions. One of the most prominent products is the Nafath platform, which consolidates all e-transactions in one place and offers unified, centralized access to service providers, both government and private entities. This initiative has helped reduce reliance on paper, promoting environmental sustainability in line with Vision 2030’s strategic goal of empowering society and ensuring a healthy, prosperous life.

Achieving environmental sustainability through digital transformation, SDAIA, represented by the Tawakkalna platform, provides a digital wallet via the Tawakkalna Services app. It offers more than 140 services designed to address all areas of daily life for citizens and residents. These services simplify essential transactions, facilitate travel procedures, and verify travelers’ health eligibility in real time. The e-travel document and Health Passport are intended for global recognition, helping to accelerate Vision 2030’s development goals to improve the quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors to the Kingdom.

These efforts are achieved by:

• Providing services electronically.
• Reducing the use of paper to preserve the environment, decrease pollution, and minimize the depletion of energy sources and raw materials.

• Carbon Emission Reduction Targets: SGI aims to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030. Current progress reports show substantial advancements in energy transition and renewable energy deployment.
• Afforestation and Land Rehabilitation: Over 600 million trees are planned to be planted by 2030, with significant areas already undergoing rehabilitation.
• Renewable Energy Deployment: Saudi Arabia has completed multiple renewable energy projects, including the Sakaka PV solar plant and Dumat Al Jandal wind farm, contributing to the 50% renewable energy target.
• SDAIA’s GreenGov Program: Reports show measurable reductions in energy use and enhanced efficiency in government operations.

• Environment Week and National Campaigns: Regular initiatives like “Let’s Make It Green” promote awareness and active participation in sustainability.
• Awards and Recognition: Saudi Arabia has been recognized for its leadership in sustainable urban planning and renewable energy investment at international forums, including COP summits.

Partnerships and Collaborations: Saudi Arabia works closely with global and regional partners through the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI), enhancing regional cooperation in climate action.