Can Vision 2030 make Saudi Arabia the climate leader of the MENA region?

The ambitious Vision 2020 project, launched in 2016, capitalises on the Kingdom’s unique strengths – its key role in the Arab and Islamic worlds, its strong investment capabilities and its strategic geographical position – to help create a vibrant sustainable environment for both local and international investors and establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader.

The Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), an ambitious national initiative focused on combating climate change, improving quality of life, and protecting the environment for future generations, is also uniting all sustainability efforts in the country to rapidly scale up the Kingdom’s climate action. Since SGI’s inauguration in 2021, 77 initiatives corresponding to its three targets – emissions reduction, afforestation and land and sea protection – have been activated, representing an investment of more than $186bn and helping to drive sustainable growth. By bringing together the government and private sector, and fostering collaboration and innovation, the Kingdom’s commitments have been turned into tangible action, whilst supporting global goals.

The SGI’s objectives of reducing carbon emissions by 278 mtpa by 2030, planting 10 billion trees over the coming decades equivalent to rehabilitating 40 million hectares of land and protecting 30% of Saudi Arabia’s land and sea by 2030 are ambitious targets but a good start has already been made. More than 700MW of solar/wind energy was connected to the grid in 2022 providing capacity to power more than 100,000 homes. 17 renewable energy projects are under development with a total capacity of 13.7GW.

In 2022 alone, more than 18 million trees were planted and 60,000 hectares of land were rehabilitated and there has been a four-fold increase in the size of areas under environmental protection in Saudi Arabia as a result of coordinated national measures. In addition, 600 tons of clean energy a day will be produced by the world’s largest clean hydrogen plant in NEOM by 2026 and 30% of Saudi Arabia’s land and sea will be under protection by 2030, equal to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf combined.

The Vision 2030 project is designed to unfold in stages, each lasting five years and building on the last. The first phase set the foundation, implementing structural and comprehensive reforms in the public sector, the economy and society. The second phase of Vision 2030 has accelerated efforts, providing an enhanced focus on strategies, as well as further investments in key sectors and ambitious projects. This has yielded tangible results across the country. The third phase will focus on sustaining the transformation's impact and leveraging new growth opportunities. Sustainability and a core commitment to improving the environment form a central part of Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 is creating big opportunities for businesses thanks to significant public and private sector investments into clean energy, hydrogen and carbon capture. As part of the Vision’s transition to a sustainable and diversified energy mix, it is encouraging public and private investments into these sectors by a number of government-led infrastructure and investment Initiatives. These include NEOM, $500bn+ smart city being built with sustainability at its core being powered entirely by renewable energy, including green hydrogen.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is also channelling massive funds into renewable and clean tech ventures and acting as a catalyst for private sector participation by de-risking large-scale projects. PIF investments include wind and solar projects, green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) tech.

Policy and regulatory frameworks like the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) are also facilitating private investment in utility-scale solar and wind projects by using competitive bidding to ensure transparency and cost-efficiency, drawing in international firms. The Carbon Circular Economy (CCE) Framework, endorsed by the G20 during Saudi Arabia’s presidency, is encouraging carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and helping to position the Kingdom as a leader in the global carbon management market, inviting partnerships and tech investments.

Incentives and public-private partnerships are opening up the energy sector to private capital. The creation of research, innovation and tech transfer hubs like the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) are encouraging collaboration between universities, startups and global clean tech firms. A climate is being created where international collaboration and innovation can flourish at pace and at scale.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is actively driving investment in clean energy by funding flagship renewable and hydrogen projects, creating a robust policy environment, lowering investment risk for private sector players, promoting international partnerships and building domestic capacity in R&D and clean tech.

Alongside this, the Vision is encouraging and nurturing the key role of innovation, young people and education in building a sustainable future to create a virtuous circle enabling the nation and its people to thrive. With over 60% of the population under 30, youth are seen as the key driving force behind Vision 2030. The plan empowers young people through leadership development programmes and youth councils, fosters employment by encouraging private sector growth and entrepreneurship to reduce reliance on public sector jobs and supports youth engagement through young people’s involvement in education, culture, and technology.

Like the Vision 2030 project itself, Innovation Zero MENA Congress will take a wide-ranging and connected approach which breaks down industry and sector silos, by offering a dynamic platform for leaders and changemakers across diverse industries to unite. The world-class conference will feature an extensive content programme across a number of key themes that are central to the energy transition including environment, energy and industry, circular carbon economy, finance, advanced technologies and cities and infrastructure.

Innovation Zero MENA Congress takes place on 14-15 October 2025 in Misk City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Find out more at www.innovationzero.com