Saudia Arabia- Saudi Arabia ranked as the as the 10th-highest contributor of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels among countries worldwide in 2021, according to a report by the European Commission. At the same time, it remains one of the countries most susceptible to the effects of climate change. The Kingdom will continue to experience air pollution, desertification, and water shortages because less than 2% of its land is fertile. Recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has dedicated itself to accelerating the global process of finding sustainable solutions for climate change through a holistic policy. Saudi Arabia’s groundbreaking Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) is at the heart of this global dialogue. Announced by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in 2021, this strategic initiative underscores the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, planting billions of trees, and transitioning to renewable energy. The SGI aims to answer such challenges and will focus on and invest in more sustainable transportation and other low-carbon measures to reduce emissions.
The SGI is an ambitious and comprehensive venture to tackle climate change and environmental degradation through environmental protection, energy transition and sustainability programs. It intends to integrate with the sustainable development programs of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national transformation programme, and deal with the adaptive futures of people and industry coexisting with nature. The SGI aspires to minimize greenhouse gas emissions by 60% and alleviate carbon dioxide output by adopting cleaner hydrocarbon technologies. Moreover, the Kingdom intends to grow 10 billion trees nationwide and achieve net zero carbon by 2060, ten years before Russia and China. This green initiative will help promote active research engagements, the exchange of international guidelines, and the recognition of business solutions related to sustainable development and green energy. It will, however, depend heavily on domestic and global public-private collaborative efforts, where the role of local governance is crucial.
Local Governance as Key in Environmental Initiatives
Local governance, often underestimated in its influence, is the bedrock of successful environmental initiatives. Policies are implemented and sustainable practices are integrated into the fabric of society at the local level. Local government organizations now have a significant opportunity to transform how they perform and meet the emerging needs and expectations of this new green initiative. Thus, local governments have a vital role in driving progress in this domain because they are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between national policies, corporate agendas and community needs. Let’s explore how local governance might significantly influence the SGI:
a. Adapting National Policies to Local Settings
Every community has different problems and distinct resources. Local entities are best positioned to analyze the local scenarios essential for improving the environment. Hence, local governance can contextualize the SGI to fit the distinct needs and capacities of specific regions. Local governments may adopt national laws while assuring efficiency and gaining public support by engaging local stakeholders like civic leaders, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs. Moreover, they should work towards performance management, closely linking it with green initiatives, programmes, and goals. Hence, local authorities can mainstream environmental challenges and support community participation by incorporating sustainability into their local agendas.
b. Utilizing Community Engagement at the Local Level
Sustainability campaigns become successful when community members are actively involved. Local governments may support outreach initiatives, educational events, and workshops to inform the public about the value of environmental conservation. Through active community participation, individuals can become key stakeholders in the SGI’s success, strengthening its influence and promoting a culture of sustainable practices.
c. Urban planning and introducing green infrastructure
Local governance has a significant influence on urban planning and infrastructure development. Thus, local authorities can develop a proactive, low-carbon development approach to meet the goals of the SGI. Moreover, by integrating environmentally friendly infrastructure, such as green spaces like public parks and sustainable transportation alternatives, these local entities can improve the quality of life for residents while promoting eco-friendly practices. It is vital to how they will position themselves for sustainable development in the future.
d. Promoting Public-Private Partnerships
Local governance can encourage successful interactions between public and private entities to execute sustainable projects, boosting the beneficial effects of the SGI by utilizing the resources and experience of the private sector through public-private partnerships. These collaborations offer local government agencies a better opportunity to promote sustainable business practices within the SGI. Moreover, they are also essential for improving green technologies, clean energy initiatives, and sustainable farming methods.
e. Facilitating Innovation and Research
Local governments may strongly promote innovation and research activities that align with the SGI’s objectives as they are hubs of knowledge and study. Advances in green technology, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation techniques can be accelerated by forging collaborations with higher education institutions, research centres, and think tanks. Local governments can also encourage green entrepreneurs and new companies to build businesses while tackling environmental issues.
Empowering Local Governance for Effective Implementation
Some steps must be undertaken to strengthen local administrations’ ability to fully realize their potential in nurturing the SGI. Firstly, a decentralized governance structure must be prioritized to help them respond more effectively to environmental concerns. Secondly, capacity building for the local authorities is a necessity. Investing in training and capacity building for local officials and personnel improves their knowledge of sustainable strategies and practices and equips them to lead the successful implementation of environmental initiatives. Thirdly, ensuring adequate funding and budget allocation at the local level is crucial for executing ambitious environmental projects. Financial support empowers local governments to take ownership of the SGI. Lastly, providing local authorities access to reliable environmental data and monitoring tools enables them to track progress, identify challenges, and refine strategies as needed.
Conclusion
The SGI heralds a new era of environmental consciousness and commitment on a global scale. Saudi local government entities can lead the charge towards a greener and more sustainable future by tailoring national policies to local contexts, engaging communities, implementing green infrastructure, and fostering innovation. To unleash the true potential of local governance, empowerment through decentralization, capacity building, access to funding, and data-driven monitoring is indispensable. By creating a synergy between national ambition and local action, the SGI can become a model for other nations, inspiring a collective response to climate change and environmental degradation. To conclude, the SGI is a historic opportunity that must be seized by all stakeholders – from policymakers to local leaders – to forge a path towards a more sustainable and resilient world.
About the Author
Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Al-Rashid is the Deputy Research Director and Senior Research Associate at the Center for Local Governance, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is an urban planner with over ten years of hands-on experience in the public, private, and research sectors. He has been following his passion for urban policy research and offering sustainable solutions to the concerned stakeholders in the urban planning domain. He holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Malaya, Malaysia.
Published in The PPP Post on 28th July 2024