The fourth edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum, Gallery, and Talks concluded in Riyadh on December 15, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s environmental journey. Held during the sixteenth session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), the event showcased Saudi Arabia’s whole-of-society progress toward net zero through the circular carbon economy approach. The two-week gathering at the SGI Pavilion attracted broad participation from international experts and representatives across multiple sectors, highlighting achievements in emissions reduction, afforestation, and ecosystem protection.
Context and Background
The Saudi Green Initiative, launched in 2021 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s commitment to environmental sustainability and aligns directly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative aims to combat climate change, reduce emissions, and protect the environment through a comprehensive, whole-of-nation approach. The forum’s theme, “Action is in Our Nature,” underscored the Kingdom’s proactive stance on environmental stewardship, uniting public and private sectors to drive tangible results.
Key Outcomes and Announcements
During the forum, held on December 3-4, 2024, Saudi Arabia unveiled five new environmental initiatives valued at a total of SAR225 million ($60 million) and signed 14 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various partners. These agreements aim to accelerate the Kingdom’s green transition and foster international collaboration. The event convened 50 speakers across 25 sessions, engaging over 1,500 delegates from diverse sectors.
Significant milestones were also announced since the launch of SGI in 2021. The Kingdom has connected 6.2 GW of renewable energy to its grid, with 20 GW of projects launched in 2024 and 44.2 GW under development — enough to supply clean electricity to over 7 million homes. On land restoration, Saudi Arabia has rehabilitated over 118,000 hectares of degraded land, equivalent to planting more than 100 million trees and shrubs, advancing its interim goal of restoring 8 million hectares by 2030. Additionally, 18.1% of its land and 6.49% of its marine environments (nearly 400,000 square kilometers) are now under protection, with over 7,000 endangered species rewilded in nature reserves.
International Impact and Engagement
The SGI Talks, held daily from December 5-13, provided a platform for expert-led discussions on critical topics such as ecosystem regeneration, sustainable finance, innovative methane monitoring technologies, and sustainable food solutions. These sessions facilitated meaningful dialogue and actionable insights, fostering audience engagement and global knowledge exchange. The SGI Gallery featured installations from over 40 organizations contributing to the initiative, along with a Kids Zone that inspired the next generation of environmental champions. More than 1,000 schoolchildren from 54 schools participated, meeting Namour, the SGI leopard character launched earlier this year to encourage young people to become environmental heroes.
20 Questions
Q1. What was the Saudi Green Initiative Forum 2024?
A1. It was the fourth edition of the forum, held in Riyadh from December 3-4, 2024, during UNCCD COP16. It convened over 1,500 delegates and 50 speakers to discuss and showcase environmental progress.
Q2. Where did the Saudi Green Initiative Forum take place?
A2. The forum was held at the Saudi Green Initiative Pavilion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the sixteenth session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16).
Q3. What was the theme of the forum?
A3. The theme was “Action is in Our Nature,” emphasizing proactive environmental stewardship and the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainability.
Q4. How many speakers and sessions were featured?
A4. The forum featured 50 speakers across 25 sessions, covering topics like emissions reduction, afforestation, and ecosystem protection.
Q5. What new initiatives were announced?
A5. Five new initiatives valued at SAR225 million ($60 million) were announced, targeting emissions reduction, land restoration, and ecosystem protection.
Q6. How many MoUs were signed?
A6. A total of 14 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with various partners to advance environmental collaboration.
Q7. How much renewable energy has Saudi Arabia connected to its grid?
A7. The Kingdom has connected 6.2 GW of renewable energy to its grid, with 20 GW launched in 2024 and 44.2 GW under development.
Q8. What is the interim goal for land restoration under SGI?
A8. The interim goal is to restore 8 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, with over 118,000 hectares already rehabilitated.
Q9. How many trees have been planted through SGI?
A9. Over 100 million trees and shrubs have been planted, equivalent to rehabilitating more than 118,000 hectares of land.
Q10. What percentage of land is under protection in Saudi Arabia?
A10. Approximately 18.1% of Saudi Arabia’s land is under protection, covering nearly 400,000 square kilometers.
Q11. What percentage of marine environments is protected?
A11. About 6.49% of the Kingdom’s marine environments are under protection, advancing the goal of safeguarding 30% by 2030.
Q12. How many endangered species have been rewilded?
A12. Over 7,000 endangered species have been rewilded in Saudi Arabia’s nature reserves.
Q13. What were the SGI Talks?
A13. SGI Talks were daily expert-led discussions from December 5-13, addressing topics like ecosystem regeneration, sustainable finance, and methane monitoring.
Q14. How many organizations contributed to the SGI Gallery?
A14. Over 40 organizations contributed to the SGI Gallery, which featured five zones highlighting environmental initiatives.
Q15. What was the Kids Zone?
A15. The Kids Zone was an educational area designed to inspire children about environmental conservation, visited by over 1,000 schoolchildren from 54 schools.
Q16. Who is Namour?
A16. Namour is the Saudi Green Initiative leopard character, launched in 2024 to inspire young people to become environmental heroes.
Q17. When was the Saudi Green Initiative launched?
A17. The Saudi Green Initiative was launched in 2021 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Q18. How does the SGI align with Vision 2030?
A18. The SGI supports Vision 2030 by promoting environmental sustainability, economic diversification, and a better quality of life for citizens and residents.
Q19. What is the circular carbon economy approach?
A19. The circular carbon economy is a framework that manages carbon emissions through reduction, reuse, recycling, and removal, guiding Saudi Arabia’s net-zero path.
Q20. What was the overall impact of the forum?
A20. The forum strengthened international collaboration, showcased concrete environmental achievements, and advanced Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global sustainability efforts.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The successful conclusion of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, Gallery, and Talks underscores the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship as a core component of Saudi Vision 2030. By achieving measurable milestones — from renewable energy grid connections to land restoration and species rewilding — Saudi Arabia positions itself as a global leader in sustainability. These efforts not only enhance the quality of life within the Kingdom but also contribute to international climate goals, demonstrating how environmental action and economic development can advance hand in hand under the guidance of its leadership.
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