Saudi Electricity Company Targets Net Zero Emissions by 2050

SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA
SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA
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Saudi Electricity Company Targets Net Zero Emissions by 2050

SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA
SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the largest producer, transmitter, and distributor of electrical energy in the Middle East and North Africa, announced that it seeks to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s endeavor to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 through the circular carbon economy approach, SPA reported.

The announcement was made during a special event SEC organized Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations COP28 climate-change summit in Dubai, during which the company said that it has laid the foundation of environmental practices that seek to reduce emissions through projects to raise energy efficiency, as well as developing the electricity transmission network into a smart network, with clean energy, renewable energy stations, and the smart meter project.

In line with its endeavor to achieve carbon neutrality, SEC said it has signed seven agreements and MoUs with leading local and international companies, including one with the Net Zero Technology Center (NZTC) and global professional services company Accenture to enhance solutions that help reduce carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The agreement, which is part of SEC’s endeavors toward environmental sustainability, seeks to leverage digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Under the agreement, SEC will collaborate with its partners to develop and launch a Center of Excellence for Sustainability, with the goal of developing solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

The company will also work with its partners to promote national innovation and entrepreneurship and develop local competencies.

“This day marks a milestone in our journey towards a sustainable future, as the Saudi Electricity Company proudly collaborates with NZTC and Accenture to establish a Center of Excellence for Sustainability,” SEC stated in a press release.

The cooperation between SEC, NZTC, and Accenture “demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to achieving decarburization targets throughout the Middle East,” said the release.



King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority Joins IUCN Green List

The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA
The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA
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King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority Joins IUCN Green List

The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA
The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA

The King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has announced its inclusion in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List.
This recognition follows a comprehensive assessment of the reserve by IUCN experts, who evaluated the authority's environmental and developmental accomplishments, as well as its engagement with the community and preservation efforts, SPA reported.
Authority CEO Abdullah Al-Amer emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating: "Since its establishment, the authority has pursued strategies, development plans, and innovative initiatives to fulfill its core objectives. Through these endeavors, we have successfully met all the key criteria and indicators for joining the IUCN Green List."
Al-Amer attributed this to the support lent by the Saudi leadership and the guidance from Minister of Interior and Chairman of the authority Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.
Inclusion in the Green List adds to the authority's local and global successes, including receiving the Biodiversity Certificate and designating five critical bird sites within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Al-Amer stressed that making it on the list is testimony to an effective reserve management and focus on natural resource growth; it now facilitates the growth of over 550 plant species.
The authority's initiatives include planting 2.4 million native tree and shrub seedlings, as well as four tons of local seeds like yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Artemisia, and Haloxylon.
Efforts have been made to restore 250,000 hectares of degraded habitats and relocate 1,235 wildlife species like Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, Arabian gazelles, and Arabian leopards in the reserve.
The authority's achievements are due to its strategic objectives; being on the Green List is a key milestone.
This authority is determined to manage protected areas through sustainable programs focused on environmental conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development, in line with international standards.