The UK’s Prince Charles addressed the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in Riyadh, noting the importance of cleaner energy and the need for a green recovery.
“At last, and after far too long, climate change and biodiversity loss are clear global challenges of paramount importance to the world,” HRH the Prince of Wales said.
“At the same time, the ongoing pandemic has highlighted that human health, planetary health and economic health are fundamentally interconnected. We now have a dangerously narrow window of opportunity in which to accelerate a green recovery while laying the foundations for a sustainable future,” he added.
“We now have a dangerously narrow window of opportunity in which to accelerate a green recovery while laying the foundations for a sustainable future“
HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
He noted temperature increases in the region, and the risks that this presents to the Middle East and the world, but also emphasised the critical importance for Saudi Arabia to take “global leadership in the energy transition”.
“…There is hope, and we already seeing real progress – something the Saudi Green initiative and Middle East Green Initiative aim to accelerate,” Prince Charles said. “As I’ve been trying to stress for many years, the region has huge potential for renewable energy including solar power, wind, green hydrogen and carbon capture. These industries can drive economic growth and increase green job opportunities.”
“The kingdom’s global leadership in energy transition is critically important.”
HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
He noted that the region could lose $13 billion due to dust storms every year, but that “it is enormously encouraging to see the commitment to diversifying its emergency mix, recognizing the cascading economic and social environment benefits that renewable energy provides.”
The Saudi Green Initiative Forum unveiled the SGI’s roadmap and highlights the Kingdom’s sustainability efforts.