Crown Prince launches Riyadh Sustainability Strategy

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched Riyadh Sustainability Strategy, on the sidelines of Saudi Green Initiative Forum which started today, Oct. 23.

In his opening speech to the forum, the Crown Prince said the strategy aims to convert Riyadh into one of the world's most sustainable cities.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced that the sustainability strategy aims to launch more than 68 ambitious sustainable initiatives in five sectors; namely energy and climate change, air quality, water management, waste management, biodiversity and natural areas. In addition, it aims to cut carbon emissions in the city by 50% and inject SAR 346 billion in sustainable initiatives and projects, as well as stimulate the private sector with investment opportunities.

Fahd Al-Rasheed, President of RCRC, said the strategy aims to save SAR 40-65 billion to the city, due to raising the efficiency of infrastructure, reducing energy and water consumption, as well as cutting health impact bills on improved public health.

Regarding the impact of RCRC's projects on the lifestyle in the Saudi capital, Al-Rasheed indicated that, upon the completion of King Abdul Aziz Project for Public Transport in Riyadh – the world's largest integrated public transport project to be developed in one go – the commission aims to raise the use of public transportation from 5-20% through investments worth SAR 112.5 billion. In addition, it seeks to increase the proportion of electric vehicles in the city to 30% by 2030.

King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project is expected to reduce the number of daily trips by one million, which will lead to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.5 million tons annually.

Al-Rasheed further said the commission is investing SAR 30 billion ($8 billion) in projects and initiatives to protect the environment, referring to the achievements of the Green Riyadh Initiative, which is one of the city's four major projects and key contributor to the sustainable development goals index.

The Green Riyadh and Riyadh Sustainability initiatives aim to plant 15 million trees to raise the per capita of green spaces from 1.7 to 28 square meters (sqm) at the urban area by 2030. This will accordingly lead to reducing the city temperature by 1.5 to 2 Celsius. In addition, more than 3,300 parks of varying size and 43 major parks will be built in Riyadh, with the aim of improving the lifestyle in the Saudi capital.

Commenting on RCRC's projects that go in line with the Kingdom's sustainability goals, the top official said the commission will work on improving air quality through reducing carbon emissions by 50% and investing SAR 30 billion ($8 billion) to increase energy production from renewables by 50%.