Saudi Green Initiative Launches 68 Programs

CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Fahd al-Rasheed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Fahd al-Rasheed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Green Initiative Launches 68 Programs

CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Fahd al-Rasheed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Fahd al-Rasheed. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Riyadh Sustainability Strategy announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched over 68 ambitious sustainability initiatives covering five sectors: climate, energy production and efficiency, air quality, and water management.

CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Fahd al-Rasheed said the plan seeks to reduce carbon emissions and increase the share of renewable energy to 50 percent by 2030.

The plan also aims to improve waste management in the city by ensuring that "100% of our waste is used, recycled, recovered, and of course, reused."

It will inject $92 billion in sustainable initiatives and projects for the city and stimulate the private sector with investment opportunities.

Speaking at the Saudi Green Initiative forum, Rasheed said that environmental sustainability initiatives include investing $8 billion for water treatment and $15 billion for waste management projects to recycle waste as raw materials, reuse and convert it into energy by 94 percent.

Rasheed explained that the strategy would save the city's economy between $11 to $17.3 billion due to raising the efficiency of infrastructure, reducing energy and water consumption, and reducing the health bill on improved public health.

"We will increase the share of public transport in the city from 5 percent to 20 percent," he indicated, adding that the government is working to ensure that 30 percent of all vehicles in the capital will be powered by electricity by 2030.



Gold Firms in Thin Trade as Investors Weigh Fed Outlook

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
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Gold Firms in Thin Trade as Investors Weigh Fed Outlook

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold prices firmed on Monday, although trading was thin due to the holiday season and as investors looked for cues on the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory for next year after it signaled gradual easing in its latest meeting.
Spot gold added 0.3% at $2,628.63 per ounce, as of 0941 GMT, trading in a narrow $16 range. US gold futures eased 0.1% to $2,643.10.
"(It's a) Quiet day with lower liquidity and limited data releases during the holiday season," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
"We retain a constructive outlook for gold in 2025, targeting a move to $2,800/oz by mid-2025."
The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points on Dec. 18, although the central bank's predictions of fewer rate cuts in 2025 resulted in a decline in gold prices to their lowest level since Nov. 18 last week.
US consumer spending increased in November, supporting the Fed's hawkish stance, a sentiment that was also shared by San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly.
Higher interest rates dull non-yielding bullion's appeal.
"Presently, we are in a lull for Christmas week with the gold price trending sideways. Federal Reserve policy is clear with expectations of rising interest rates in the second half of the year," said Michael Langford, chief investment officer at Scorpion Minerals.
"The next big impact is the incoming presidency of (Donald) Trump and the initial presidential decrees that he might declare. This has the potential to add to market volatility and be bullish for gold prices."
Gold, often considered a safe-haven asset, typically performs well during economic uncertainties.
Spot silver rose 0.8% to $29.75 per ounce and platinum climbed 1.3% to $938.43. Palladium steadied at $920.53.