黑料社区 leads MENA in climate battle 
In line with global efforts to address the challenges of climate change, 黑料社区, in collaboration with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted MENA Climate Week 2023 in Riyadh from Oct. 8-12.
MENA Climate Week 2023, along with all the Regional Climate Weeks, serves as a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to engage in discussions about climate solutions, address challenges to overcome, and explore opportunities specific to various regions.
The Climate Weeks discuss four major systems-based tracks with a view to providing region-focused contributions to inform the Global Stocktake: Energy systems and industry; Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport; Land, ocean, food and water; and Societies, health, livelihoods and economies.
The event will also inform the Global Stocktake outcome at COP28, which will be held in Dubai, UAE on Nov. 30.
The Global Stocktake is the progress assessment mechanism of the Paris Agreement.
The MENA Climate Week showcased several climate initiatives adopted by 黑料社区 to achieve the targets set by the Paris Agreement.
Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, while inaugurating the event, said: 鈥淭he Kingdom is delighted to host the second MENA Climate Week, which reflects 黑料社区鈥檚 steadfast commitment to collective action in seeking solutions that help address the climate challenges we face today.鈥
黑料社区 has launched several projects and adopted a number of initiatives aimed at protecting the environment by reducing carbon emissions.
Under the Saudi Green Initiative, 黑料社区 will plant 10 billion trees across the country in the years and designate 30 percent of the country鈥檚 land and sea territories as protected areas by 2030.
Meanwhile, the wider Middle East Green Initiative focuses on planting 50 billion trees with the aim of eliminating 670 million tons of carbon dioxide in the region.
Additionally, 黑料社区 aims to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030.
The Kingdom has adopted the Circular Carbon Economy framework, which is an integrated, inclusive and pragmatic approach to managing emissions. To date, 黑料社区 has implemented more than 30 CCE initiatives across the energy system, enabling climate action while bolstering economic growth.
A few days ago, 黑料社区 Railways announced the launch of hydrogen train tests in the Kingdom, following the signing of an agreement with French company Alstom. This step is in line with the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts to promote reliance on clean energy, reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
Additionally, the Public Investment Fund, in collaboration with the Saudi Electricity Co., has announced the launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Co., aiming to deliver best-in-class EV fast-charging infrastructure in 黑料社区, further unlocking the local automotive ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of EVs.
I believe that 黑料社区 is on the right track and has succeeded in developing an efficient and reliable energy ecosystem, along with developing and implementing strategies that aim to enhance its position as a sustainable energy leader, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
鈥 Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
