Introduction
Sustainability has been at the heart of Vision 2030 since its inception. Saudi Arabia is now ushering in a new era as the Kingdom aims to reach Net Zero by 2060. This announcement is in line with wider Vision 2030 ambitions to accelerate the energy transition, achieve sustainability goals, and drive a new wave of investment.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long played a central role in the international energy market, helping drive global economic growth and development.Â
Vision 2030 is a sustainable vision for the future of Saudi Arabia with sustainability at the heart of everything the Kingdom does, from policy development and investment to planning and infrastructure. By creatively and responsibly addressing the energy and climate challenges of today, Vision 2030 inspires others around the world to share in building a sustainable tomorrow.
Sustainable Development Goal 13 urges to take action to combat climate change and its impacts*. Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow. People are experiencing the significant impacts of climate change, which include changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are driving climate change and are continuing to rise. They are now at their highest levels in history. Without action, the world's average surface temperature is projected to rise over the 21st century and is likely to surpass 3ºC this century-with some areas of the world expected to warm even more.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, remains a principal funder of climate denialism even as it prepares for climate extremes.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been among the first few countries to recognize the dangers of natural disasters and has developed a set of related regulations, plans and procedures to protect lives and property from all-natural hazards.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s initiatives for climate protection
Initiatives of the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Water to develop meteorological observation systems for the safety of life, protection of property and reduction of harmful effects.
The National Plan for Tackling Natural Disasters covers a range of potential scenarios, including heavy rainfall, rapid surface wind, destructive earthquakes and more.
National Plan for Chemical and Bacterial Incidents, which covers the measures and procedures required for the occurrence of chemical or microbial events to control and limit their spread.
The National Plan for Marine Disasters, the plan covers a range of measures and measures to address any potential disasters in the Kingdom's seas.
Regulations for Evictions and Shelters cover these procedures, measures and responsibilities for eviction and shelter before disasters to protect civilians from vulnerability.
IMAMU University constantly conducts research to improve and think about climate change, currently has established a unit to protect the environment which is responsible for raising awareness and carrying out strict measures to avoid a possible evil in the future, the Agricultural education maintains a strong collaboration on the part of the university and community events strive to carry out tasks that are focused on or related to caring for the environment.
To become the best and distinguished choice to provide awareness, guidance, training services, technical consultancy and scientific research in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution and to be a leader in possessing the necessary capabilities and expertise in accordance with international standards and quality standards. The Committee is also keen to provide distinguished services based on keeping abreast of the developments of scientific specialization, and is committed to the authentic scientific and educational heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
General Objectives
Training faculty members, their assistants, researchers and employees of the university and its branches in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution.
Training of public and private sector workers in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution.
Training of civil society organizations and members in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution.
Training students and graduates in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution.
Spreading awareness of the dangers of radiation and environmental pollution within the university and its branches, developing the awareness of the surrounding community; and advancing the mission of
Protection against radiation and environmental pollution.
Establishing an integrated system of trained human cadres and devices at the university in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution.
Mission:
Applying radiation and environmental pollution protection systems and procedures at the level of the university and its branches, training faculty members, researchers and technicians in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution, spreading awareness of radiation protection and environmental health, and cooperating with the competent authorities to serve our country.
Vision:
To become the best and distinguished choice to provide awareness, guidance, training services, technical consultations and scientific research in the field of radiation protection and environmental pollution and to be a leader in possessing the necessary capabilities and expertise in accordance with international standards and quality standards. The Committee is also keen to provide distinguished services based on keeping abreast of the developments of scientific specialization and is committed to the authentic scientific and educational heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Â
In conjunction with the climate goals announced by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Saudi Green Initiative to protect the environment and confront climate change, to reach zero neutrality by 2060, double efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and join the Kingdom in the global pledge on methane, for a safe, healthy and sustainable environment and to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the Deanship of Student Affairs at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University organized a visit to attend the Green Youth Summit event, nominating 214 students with the aim of Awareness of environmental issues.
The Green Youth Summit was launched to accelerate the pace towards achieving the climate goals, which corresponds to October 24, 2021, and is a platform to raise awareness of the importance of environmental issues and develop policies to address them, where participants seek to shape the future of climate efforts within the framework of interactive activities and intensive discussions, and the summit includes the establishment of workshops on the future of climate action, the formation of committees that include the most prominent youth activists, the implementation of cooperative activities on climate policies, and the summit is held to exchange ideas, stimulate and activate climate policy, and reduce carbon emissions even more. From 4% of global contributions, raising the quality of life.
The summit included dialogue sessions on energy sector youth and dedication of Saudi leaders to the voices of youth in the era of changes and transformations, a session to exchange roles and ask questions led by youth for climate action, a panel discussion on transformation change-maker to find special ways to lead and inspire positive environmental behaviors that are making a growing impact globally, a session to harness technology for a better future, three workshops entitled Increasing vegetation cover and rehabilitating degraded lands, a workshop entitled Protecting, Improving and Managing Marine Areas, and a workshop entitled Reducing Marine Areas. Carbon emissions and the circular carbon economy, and a plenary session on the development of education in order to train current and future environmental entrepreneurs and concluded with a panel discussion and live presentation on empowering the arts through renewable energy.
In conclusion, the student Samar Al-Zahrani expressed her great thanks to His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for this great initiative, which aims to promote the Kingdom and a better environment, God willing, and also thanked the Deanship of Student Affairs for their nomination and selection as representatives of the university, and the student Asma Al-Makinzi added that it was a day full of enriching information and thanked the Deanship of Student Affairs for providing this opportunity and for facilitating a means of transportation to attend the summit.
The Deanship of Student Affairs, represented by the Deanship of Student Affairs under the supervision of the Department of Student Programs and Activities, organized a campaign entitled "To Star Them Together" on Tuesday, 18/2/1439 AH in Building (324-325).
It aims to educate students and urge them to clean the facilities of the university so that they are prepared for a clean and healthy learning environment, and a sense of responsibility towards the community and the environment, and to promote a culture of commitment to the cleanliness of the place, and the campaign has included many activities and competitions, including (thank you cards for the students who left the place clean as it was by removing the rest of their breakfast after breakfast, and distributing waste bags in the places where students gather to maintain the cleanliness of the place, And symbolic gifts to them in a gesture of your keenness to clean your place and put waste in the designated place is proof of your awareness and your paper).
This campaign comes as a contribution to achieving the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030 in preserving the environment, achieving environmental sustainability and ensuring the cleanliness of the university and the surrounding environment.
On the morning of Sunday, October 16, 2016, based on the tolerant message of Islam, and in application of its great principles, and under the guidance of His Excellency the Director of the Institute, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Daham, the Community Service Center of the Institute participated in a group of students of the Activity Society at the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in Indonesia in the program of cleaning Jakarta, Mega Koningan area of South Jakarta, in coordination with some official bodies and government institutions in Indonesia, where the number of participants in the program reached 150 people, including 30 students from the Institute, the weight of the waste collected by the participants in the program reached 191 kg0 and this is considered one of the contributions and contributions of the Institute in the social services provided to the Indonesian community.
The student activity at the Baljurashi Institute organized a campaign of guidance and cleaning of the Institute's courtyards with the participation of students, teachers and student counseling.
The campaign comes within the activities of My Clean Environment that are held in scientific institutes as one of the awareness programs that urge students to pay attention to cleanliness and care for the environment.
The activity also held a workshop on pollution, its danger and methods of prevention, which was moderated by Mr. Ghurramallah Abdullah, teacher of Jafravia at the Institute.
Professor Ghurramallah talked about taking care of the environment and the need to protect it from the danger of pollution and also listened to some of the students' interventions about pollution and its danger.
A lecture entitled "Towards a Better Environment" was also held for Professor Ibrahim Al-Khathami, Science Teacher at the Institute.
The awareness lecture aimed to raise the level of awareness towards the environment, promote positive behaviors and correct wrong behaviors towards the environment.
The past decade has registered international interest in environmental affairs and protection, especially in recent years, where issues of environmental resource management, protection and development have been a priority in the policies and areas of cooperation of many States.
At present, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a cultural, political and environmental consciousness, which gives natural and environmental resources great importance in the protection and conservation, so that this trend has become a direct impact on the thinking and lifestyle among its citizens. It is a trend consistent with the cultural heritage and sought by the Kingdom's national development plans, as it pioneered the incorporation of the principles of environmental awareness.
In all its development plans, the Kingdom has been keen to emphasize its interest in the environment and development through the contribution of the Department of Meteorology and Environmental Protection to the economic activity of the Kingdom, by providing information and advice regarding the protection of the environment, as in the second development plan, by providing and developing integrated environmental services as in the third development plan, and by supporting the contributions of individuals and institutions to the preservation of the environment as in the fourth development plan. The seventh strategic basis of the fifth development plan, and the tenth strategic basis of the sixth development plan, included urging the continuation of programs to preserve, protect, develop and prevent pollution from the environment.
International developments in the field of environmental conservation during the past two decades have coincided with the adoption of the development planning approach in the Kingdom, and the Kingdom has kept pace with these developments.
Perhaps the most important achievements in this area are the following:
First: Introducing environmental considerations in the selection of the sites of the most important industrial projects in the Kingdom, and in the design and operation of these projects, as the industrial communities in Jubail and Yanbu are an example of the integration of environmental and development considerations.
Second: Establishing the organizational and executive structures of the environmental protection and conservation bodies, such as: the Meteorological and Environmental Protection Authority, the National Authority for the Protection and Development of Wildlife, and planning and coordination structures, such as the Ministerial Committee for the Environment and the Committee for the Coordination of Environmental Protection.
Third: Issuing national standards for the protection of the environment, and the commitment of most development projects to them.
Fourth: Issuing standard specifications to determine the emission of pollutants from cars and applying them to all cars imported into the Kingdom.
Fifth: Establishment of nature reserves for wildlife, national parks, and pasture fences to preserve biological and environmental diversity.
Sixth: The Kingdom's growing role at the regional level in the field of environment and marine environmental organizations of both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and in the cabinets responsible for environmental affairs in both the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League.
The economic expansion of the Kingdom and the achievement of rates of urban development have been accompanied by some unprecedented damage to natural resources and the environment, such as: pollution, health risks resulting from the inappropriate treatment of waste from industrial, agricultural and urban activities, air pollution in major cities and industrial zones, desertification, threats to wildlife as well as lack of groundwater reserves and low levels of quality.
As a result of these damages and their disadvantages to economic development, the State has established the Meteorological and Environmental Protection Authority, the National Authority for the Protection and Development of Wildlife, and the Supreme Authority for the Development of the City of Riyadh.
For example, the Higher Authority for the Development of the City of Riyadh, in its quest for integrated development balanced urbanly, economically and environmentally, is based on an integrated program for the management and protection of the environment in the city of Riyadh, and the Supreme Authority pays great attention to environmental considerations in the planning and design of the projects it undertakes, such as: the development of Wadi Hanifa, the reduction of the ground water level, the project of protecting wildlife, the completion of drainage networks, rationalization of irrigation water consumption, studying the causes of air pollution and water pollution in the city of Riyadh, and studying methods of solid waste disposal.
There is still an urgent need to develop solutions that help reduce obstacles and impediments related to the protection of the environment and to preserve it from degradation, depletion and pollution.
Prof. Dr. Zaid bin Mohammed Al-Ramani Economic Advisor
Member of the faculty of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
Dr. Al-Arini inaugurates the Environment Week event in the city of female students
The Vice President for Female Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan bint Abdulrahman Al-Arini, inaugurated this morning (Thursday) 21/7/1440 AH the Environment Week event under the slogan "We protect our environment for the well-being of our community" in the lobby of Building (324), accompanied by the Deputy Deanship of Student Affairs for Female Students' Affairs, Dr. Ohood Al-Manea, and Dr. Al-Arini toured between the interactive corners, and briefed Her Excellency on the accompanying activities, listening to a brief explanation of the exhibits and awareness tools that come out of the keenness of Imam University to participate in this environmental week and enhance its awareness role The importance of preserving the environment and contributing to the reduction of pollution.
The Deputy Dean of Student Affairs for Female Students, Dr. Ohood Al-Manea, said that one of the most important objectives of this event is to educate students about environmental pollution, its consequences, and the extent of its impact on our society and our daily lives, and this event also aims to educate students about the types of plants and how to grow them, and take care of them, to increase environmental awareness among students.
The Environment Week event organized by the Vice Deanship of Student Affairs for Female Students' Affairs, in cooperation with the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Riyadh region, included leaflets and awareness leaflets, paper educational leaflets, a board and environmental artworks, such as the impact of the environment on physical and psychological health, methods of consumption and the safe economy of the environment, which in turn contribute to raising the level of responsibility of students towards the environment, as well as a visual presentation entitled "We plant to live" that included the definition of plants and the causes of their death, agriculture and reproduction, seeds and fertilizers, as well as the method of irrigation Beneficial and harmful plants and insects.
The trainer, Ms. Asma Al-Sulaiman from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, participated in a workshop entitled: "Our land is green and our environment is clean" in which she addressed the foundations of the success of home farming, methods of caring for indoor plants, how to grow seeds, soil and fertilizers suitable for them, in addition to the problems faced by plants and their treatment methods. In terms of environmental practical application, the students participated in planting trees and caring for them, in addition to their participation in the cultural competition in the field of the environment, to which in-kind prizes were allocated.
Within the activities of the Environment Week and under the slogan "We protect our environment for the well-being of our society", the Scientific Institute in Jeddah Governorate participated in the afforestation campaign, which aims to maintain the ecological balance and combat sources of pollution, as well as to give an aesthetic character within the city as well as its contribution to improving the level of oxygen in the air, and a group of students of the Institute participated in this under the supervision and participation of Professor Talaa Al-Harthy.
In order to achieve the climate goals announced by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Saudi Green Initiative for a Safe, Healthy and Sustainable Environment and to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the Deanship of Student Affairs at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, in cooperation with the Department of Technical Affairs, organized a volunteer opportunity for two days on Wednesday, November 24 for university students with the participation of (13) students, and on Thursday, November 25 for university students with the participation of (12) female students, in activating the initiative Green Saudi Arabia to raise vegetation cover by protecting and preserving the environment, facing the challenges of climate change and reducing carbon emissions, and combating pollution and land degradation, through the planting of a number of "acacia" trees inside the campus (the new faculty housing area), to chart the Saudi Green Initiative guiding the Kingdom in protecting the land and nature.