Saudi youth are ‘empowered’ to drive sustainable change
Energy minister optimistic KSA can achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2060
Youngsters in Saudi Arabia are working “day and night” to deliver environmental changes in the Kingdom, the country’s energy minister said as he praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership.
Speaking at the Saudi Green Initiative Forum on Saturday, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman reserved special praise for the country’s youth.
Addressing the event in Riyadh, he said: “Whatever you see today in Saudi Arabia, whatever you see tomorrow in Saudi Arabia, is not the work of myself or my generation or the generations that just preceded me or the generation that just came after me, I am empowered by a young leader who has the vision and he is the owner of that vision, Vision 2030.”
The minister highlighted the influence of the Kingdom’s vision on its youth, saying: “The empowerment has spread in Saudi Arabia to the many youngsters that you saw in the gallery and the many youngsters that are working day and night delivering, not for my future, but for their own future and I’m proud to say that in Saudi Arabia, it’s not the men in Saudi Arabia, it’s actually the women and men of Saudi Arabia that will deliver the future that we are all aspiring for.”
He believes the Kingdom may reach its net zero carbon emissions target ahead of the 2060 mark.
Prince Abdulaziz said most technologies to help the environment will mature by 2040, meaning the Kingdom could reach its emission reduction goal earlier than planned. Carbon reduction efforts, including investing in renewable energy and the circular economy, will help the Kingdom reach net zero, the energy minister said, adding that Saudi Arabia does not only want to achieve ambitious environmental goals, but wants to be an example for others. “The Kingdom is not seeking financial support or grants to achieve this NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) and it will use the best suited technology to do so,” the minister stressed.
Using the circular carbon economy strategy, a clear structure of milestones and key performance indicators will be put in place for the entire country to be held accountable for the goals.
“We can shift our energy mix by using 50 percent in empowering the power sector and all utilities, (therefore) 50 percent will be done on renewables and the other 50 percent will be the development of more gas. That 50/50 will be a major component in that reduction we have discussed,” he stated.
The renewable investment opportunities created in the Kingdom, such as the energy efficiency program that has been active for over 10 years, has already reduced annual CO2 emissions by 48 million tons.
I am empowered by a young leader who has the vision and he is the owner of that vision, Vision 2030.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Saudi energy minister