Saudi & Middle East Green Initiatives

Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) FAQs

What is the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI)?

Launched in 2021 the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) is an ambitious national initiative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that aims to combat climate change, improve quality of life and protect the planet for future generations.

SGI activates all engines of society to deliver against three overarching targets - emissions reduction, afforestation, and land and sea protection. At present, 80+ initiatives are being implemented, all representing a huge investment in the green economy.

Since SGI’s inauguration in 2021, the Kingdom’s global commitments have been turned into tangible action and Saudi’s climate action ambitions are on track.

Why was the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) launched?

As a leading global energy producer, Saudi Arabia is committed to advancing the global fight against climate change. Since the launch of Vision 2030, tremendous progress has been made in addressing Saudi Arabia’s unique environmental challenges, but it is clear that there is much more to be done to address climate issues the world is facing.

Announced in 2021, the ambition of SGI is to catalyze and implement a sustainable long-term climate action plan for the Kingdom. With ambitious plans, three key targets and whole-of-society action, SGI is a leap forward within Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global leader in forging a greener future.

Who is behind the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI)?

The Saudi Green Initiative is a national initiative under the patronage of His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

How does the Saudi Green initiative work?

The Saudi Green Initiative is a whole-of-society initiative. To support national climate ambitions and targets, the initiative draws on the expertise and resources of the Saudi government, the private sector and civil society.

How will the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) deliver on Saudi Arabia’s climate ambitions and targets?

As of late 2022, 77 initiatives are being implemented to deliver against three SGI targets. The SGI targets were defined to enable Saudi Arabia to scale up action on all fronts as part of a sustainable roadmap to net zero emissions.

Two focused committees, The Energy and Climate Change Committee and The Environment Committee, oversee the implementation of initiatives against the targets. They also rally the public and private sector ecosystems to ensure coordination and that all efforts uphold the highest international standards.

The first wave of more than 60 initiatives announced in 2021 represented over SAR 700 billion of investments, contributing to the growth of the green economy. In 2022,17 new environment-focused initiatives were launched. More initiatives will launch in the coming years, scaling up Saudi Arabia’s ambition to create a green future.

How can I partner with or contribute to the Saudi Green Initiative?

The Saudi Green Initiative encourages companies, individuals, entrepreneurs and NGOs who are working on sustainability initiatives in Saudi Arabia to reach out through info@greeninitiatives.gov.sa

Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) FAQs

What is the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)?

The MGI is a first-of-its-kind regional alliance.

Inaugurated in 2021, and spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, MGI exemplifies The Kingdom’s commitment to leading international sustainability efforts.

MGI provides an ambitious and clearly defined roadmap for regional climate action, ensuring a coordinated and localized response to the specific way climate change is impacting countries in the region.

What is the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit?

The MGI Summit is first-of-its-kind regional dialogue on climate, bringing together leaders from across the MENA region and beyond.

The first MGI Summit was hosted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in Riyadh on October 25, 2021. This event saw leaders in attendance agreeing to work together to tackle climate change across the region.

In 2022, the MGI Summit convened leaders in Sharm El Sheikh, in tandem with COP27. Saudi Arabia played its part as a G20 economy and significant contributor to climate action to make sure that the climate solutions needed in the region continued to be considered on a global scale.

For more information, visit the Middle East Green Initiative Summit page

What is Saudi Arabia’s role in the Middle East Green (MGI) Initiative?

Saudi Arabia launched the Middle East Green Initiative to help enable the region to increase climate action. The Kingdom is guiding unified regional action at the highest levels through the MGI Summit, hosted annually by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

The second edition of the MGI Summit convened leaders in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, in tandem with COP27.

What are the aims of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)?

MGI has provided an ambitious and clearly defined roadmap for regional climate action. MGI will deliver the largest reforestation program in the world as well as significantly contribute to achieving the emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement.

Actions taken under the MGI umbrella will not only positively impact the environment, but will spur economic diversification, job creation, and private sector investment.

Why is the Middle East Green Initiative needed (MGI)?

The countries covered by MGI are some of the hottest and driest on earth - areas that are already seeing the impact of climate change through rising temperatures and extreme weather events. This particular set of circumstances necessitates a specific and regionally-led approach to climate change. Saudi Arabia is doing its its part as a G20 economy and significant contributor to climate action to make sure that the climate solutions needed in the Middle East and North Africa are considered on a global scale.

Green events FAQs

What is the Middle East Green Initiative Summit?

The MGI Summit is a first-of-its-kind regional dialogue on climate, bringing together leaders on an annual basis to continue scaling up regional climate action through collaboration.

The first MGI Summit was hosted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in Riyadh on October 25, 2021. This event saw leaders from the MENA region and beyond agreeing to work together to tackle climate change.

In November 2022, the MGI Summit convened leaders in Sharm El Sheikh. The second edition of the summit was held in tandem with COP27, ensuring that the climate solutions needed in the region continued to be considered on a global scale.

For more information, visit the Middle East Green Initiative Summit page

What is the SGI Forum?

Held annually under the patronage of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the SGI Forum is a convening platform for climate leaders to discuss best practice, highlight innovation, evaluate progress against national targets and drive forward substantive action in the race against climate change.

For more information, visit the Saudi Green Initiative Forum page

Will Saudi Arabia be leading any other climate-focused events?

During the SGI Forum 2022 Saudi Arabia announced it is working with UNFCCC to host MENA Climate Week in 2023. Taking place in the lead up to COP28, this event will bring together regional and global stakeholders to explore challenge and opportunities, showcase innovation and solutions, and advance climate action.

Climate Governance FAQs

How does the Saudi Green Initiative work?

The Saudi Green Initiative is a whole-of-society initiative overseen by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Delivery against SGI’s targets is managed by two focused committees that rally the public and private sector ecosystems to ensure coordination and that all efforts uphold the highest international standards.

The Energy & Climate Change Committee oversees Saudi Arabia’s energy mix transformation, emissions reduction initiatives and implementation of the circular carbon economy framework.
The Environment Committee oversees all tree planting efforts and protection of land and sea in the Kingdom.

Who chairs the Energy & Climate Change Committee?

The Energy & Climate Change Committee is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy.

Who chairs the Environment Committee?

The Environment Committee is chaired by His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Fadley, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

How does the Saudi Green Initiative work with public and private sector partners?

The Saudi Green Initiative is a national initiative that unifies all sustainability efforts across Saudi Arabia to scale up action and create change. Engaging stakeholders across the private and public sectors to implement wide-ranging initiatives is a crucial step to achieving the Kingdom’s climate goals.

In order to be listed as an official SGI initiative, stakeholders have to demonstrate that their goals and ambitions align with the overall cause that SGI is championing.

How is Saudi Arabia working with international counterparts as part of the Middle East Green Initiative?

Saudi Arabia is spearheading the Middle East Green Initiative by uniting leaders and establishing targeted centers and programs to address regional priorities for environmental protection and climate change impact mitigation. The infrastructure created under MGI is essential to enable sustainable long-term collaboration and rapid scale-up of action.

SGI, MGI, and more: frequently asked questions