Starting January 1 2025, Saudi Arabia has decided to adopt USB Type-C as the exclusive charging port for mobile phones and other electronic gadgets.
The move comes as part of a broader initiative to enhance the user experience, ensure high-quality charging and data transfer technology and bolster environmental sustainability by curtailing electronic waste.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation, in collaboration with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, announced the mandatory stages of this significant transition. They emphasised that the directive aims not only to enhance users’ experience but also to avoid imposing additional costs on them.
This equates to a saving of more than SR170 million for Saudi consumers. Additionally, the measure is expected to contribute to the Kingdom’s environmental goals by reducing electronic waste by approximately 15 tons each year.
The enforcement of this mandate will be rolled out in two phases. The first, commencing on January 1, 2025, will encompass devices such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, e-readers, portable video game devices, headphones, earphones, amplifiers, keyboards, computer mice, portable navigation systems, portable speakers, and wireless routers. The second phase, set to begin on April 1, 2026, will include laptops.
Starting in 2025, companies and suppliers will be obliged to conform to the USB Type-C standard, adhering to the technical and administrative specifications outlined in the pertinent technical regulations and standards.
USB-C or USB Type-C is the universal standard for wired connection of smart devices. It is an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. It’s the successor to older standards, such as Micro-USB and USB-A, that are still common but fading quickly.
A big selling point of USB-C is its reversible pill-shaped design that lets you insert the plug into your device face up or face down. USB-C port is what makes fast charging and fast data transfer possible.
Source: Gulf News
In a bid to protect the environment, Saudi dairy giant National Agricultural Development Co. signed a deal with Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Co., also known as Yadoum, to set up a biowaste recycling plant that produces fertilizer.
The agricultural and food-processing company, which undertakes massive cow-raising activities for dairy production, generates an estimated 150,000 tons of biowaste every year.
As part of the agreement, Yadoum, which is wholly owned by the Saudi Investment Co. for Recycling, will build a plant for recycling and processing this biowaste to produce highly efficient organic fertilizers.
NADEC will provide the required land on lease for the project near its dairy farms in Haradh.
The 20-year agreement is an extension of a memorandum of understanding signed between the dairy giant and SIRC, wholly owned by Public Investment Fund, on Jan. 30, the company said in a bourse filing.
As part of the new deal, NADEC will commit to supplying Yadoum with 150,000 tons of biowaste annually at a specified price for the first five years of the agreement period.
In return, Yadoum will supply high-quality fertilizer to NADEC at a specific price per cubic meter, based on a predetermined discount agreed upon by both parties, the Tadawul release said.
Both parties have agreed to increase prices every five years.
The release added that both companies will review future quantity projections every two and a half years throughout the agreement’s validity period.
As part of the agreement, Yadoum will provide expertise and capabilities in research and development to support NADEC in finding permanent and sustainable solutions for managing biowaste.
In their earlier MOU signed in January, both companies said they aim to recycle around 400,000 tons of biological waste annually and process it into organic fertilizer.
By supporting diverse agricultural ventures, Saudi Arabia seeks to fortify food security, address potential supply shortages, and ensure the stability of food supply chains.
The country has also made progress on over half of its sustainable development targets, the Kingdom’s Economics and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim told the UN on Monday at a critical meeting evaluating the world’s environmental obligations.
He said: “The Sustainable Development Goals embody our collective commitment to progress. They serve as both a practical and moral guide to development, safeguarding our planet and leaving no one behind.”
Saudi Arabia is on a path of economic diversification and also focusing on sustainability programs, including the Saudi Green Initiative, as it aims to achieve its net-zero emissions target in 2060.
Source: Arab News
Global utility project developer Acwa Power has announced that work is currently underway on its ambitious green hydrogen facility at Oxagon within the Saudi futuristic city NEOM and is due for completion by the end of 2026.
The mega project, being developed by NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) – a joint venture between Acwa Power, US industrial gases leader Air Products and NEOM – at a total investment value of $8.4 billion, is set to become the largest green hydrogen production facility in the world.
TradeArabia had earlier reported Haldor Topsoe, a global leader in catalysis and chemical processing, would also be playing a major role in the project, providing the technology to produce the green ammonia, along with Baker Hughes the technology partner for hydrogen compression. Air Products will be deploying its own air separation technology.
NGHC has issued a full notice to proceed (NTP) to the EPC contractor Air Products, which has been approved, said Acwa in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul.
Following this development, Acwa Power’s SR1.125 billion ($300 million) contribution in the Limited Notice To Proceed (LNTP) will now be considered as part of its equity contribution in the project.
Concurrently, all project agreements have been executed whereby shareholders have agreed to manage certain execution risks related to the engineering, procurement, and construction of the project.
NGHC had announced the signing of financial deals with 23 local, regional, and international banks and investment firms in May this year.
According to NEOM, the NGHC plant will start producing green hydrogen from 100% renewable energy sources in 2026, with production of up to 1.2 million tonnes of green ammonia annually – a figure equivalent to 600 tonnes of green hydrogen per day.
This green ammonia will be exported to global markets, supporting the decarbonization of the heavy-duty transport sector aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
It is estimated that as a direct impact of the plant, up to 5 million tonnes of CO2 will be saved per year, it added.
Source: Julianne Tolentino, Construction Week Middle East
Saudi Arabia’s green hydrogen project being developed at NEOM received the Kingdom’s first sustainable guarantee from the British bank Standard Chartered, which agreed to extend funding support for its contractor Larsen & Toubro to build the necessary renewable energy infrastructure.
Located at Oxagon, the world’s largest green hydrogen plant is being built by NEOM Green Hydrogen Co., which is an equal joint venture between ACWA Power, Air Products and the $500-billion giga-project.
Sustainable guarantees are issued by lending agencies for green projects that make positive contributions to the environment.
The megaplant will produce green hydrogen at scale for global export in the form of green ammonia with a total investment of $8.4 billion. The project, which recently achieved full financial closure, is supported by 23 local, regional and international banking and financial institutions.
In addition to limiting carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development in the Kingdom, this step will add to the country’s diversification efforts.
“We are pleased to issue the first sustainable guarantee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which supports the growth and development of green hydrogen. At Standard Chartered, we know that technological and financial innovation is critical in supporting the global transition towards a low-carbon economy,” said Mohammad Salama, Standard Chartered’s regional head of corporate, commercial, and institutional banking in the Middle East and North Africa.
Standard Chartered said the sustainable guarantee will ensure that L&T receives the necessary financial support for the development of the wind and solar farms to support the green hydrogen generation in this project while meeting the bank’s environmental, social and governance standards.
This comes after L&T won a $2.78 billion contract to establish the renewable energy generation, storage and grid infrastructure, from Air Products, which is the system-integrating engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.
As part of the contract, L&T will engineer, procure and construct a 2.2 gigawatts alternating current photovoltaic solar plant, a 1.65 GW wind generation balance of plant and a 400 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system under the power elements package.
Its subsidiary L&T Saudi Arabia is responsible for the design, local supplies, construction and commissioning of the renewable and grid packages while the international supplies will be handled by its other subsidiary LTIFZE.
“Through such initiatives, we emphasize the power of partnerships in fostering sustainable development and practices. We remain focused on continuing to grow our green business in Saudi Arabia in partnership with and continued support from Standard Chartered as one of our key relationship banks,” said R. Shankar Raman, the chief financial officer at L&T Group.
Source: Arab News
The National Energy Services Company (Tarshid) has signed a contract with the Trade Center Company, a unit of Saudi-based Kingdom Holding, to start the detailed study required for retrofitting the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh and its associated facilities.
This aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption in the tower, which is one of Riyadh's prominent skyscrapers and a symbol of the capital's cultural identity.
The joint collaboration is intended to enhance energy conservation efforts and implement sustainable energy efficiency solutions in all buildings across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
Tarshid said it will conduct field surveys and technical studies for the targeted buildings and facilities.
Based on the findings of the study, Tarshid will advise on the best solutions to save energy and reduce consumption in the Kingdom Tower.
The energy efficiency retrofit project for the Kingdom Center will focus on five measures: lighting replacement, replacement of split-wall air conditioner units, retrofitting cooling systems (chillers), controlling of air conditioning units, installation of solar panels, and upgrading the building management systems (BMS).
These measures will result in increased energy efficiency and reduced consumption in the Kingdom Center project.
A major regional player, Tarshid is actively involved in retrofitting buildings in both the public and private sectors to increase energy efficiency.
The Kingdom Center project is one of Tarshid's significant partnerships with the private sector, and the company encourages other private-sector companies to adopt a similar approach to environmental sustainability, resource preservation, and finding the best energy efficiency solutions for all buildings and facilities.
Tarshid Chief Operating Officer Engineer Rashed Al Mehthel, announced that the company will conduct the necessary studies in cooperation with Kingdom Holding Company for the energy efficiency retrofit project in the Kingdom Center building.
"We all strive to align with Saudi Vision 2030 in its goals of increasing energy efficiency and environmental sustainability," he stated.
"Tarshid was established to promote energy sustainability and forming partnerships with private-sector companies. The Trade Center Company, owned by Kingdom Holding, is a crucial private sector player to achieve our goals and transform buildings in Saudi Arabia to become more energy efficient. Through this collaboration, we aim to become the private sector's strategic partner for all energy efficiency solutions," he added.
Trade Center Company Vice Chairman Nada Al Ateegi, said: "We are proud of our partnership with Tarshid to achieve the goals of reducing energy consumption, increasing operational efficiency, improving energy efficiency standards, and promoting environmental sustainability principles in the Kingdom Tower Center, one of Riyadh's important landmarks and a role model for similar places."
The Kingdom Center's commitment to this responsibility is a valuable contribution that aligns with Tarshid's strategic goals of expanding its reach to keep pace with Saudi Arabia's energy sustainability transition.
Source: Gulf Daily News
Saudi statesman, almost half a century ago, is reported to have said of the Kingdom, that it was his country’s "moment in the sun". And so, it must have seemed back then, in the 1970’s when high oil prices brought transformative wealth to his nation. But today, those of us who have had the privilege of being a regular visitor to Saudi Arabia are amazed by the jaw-dropping pace of social change, national ambition and pride. The transformations going on today seem far more significant than anything known hitherto. For young Saudis this really is their "moment in the sun". And the outside world is coming to visit and discovering both the beauty of the land and the warmth of its people. These are exciting times and there is much to celebrate.
However, for Saudi Arabia to take its place amongst the nations, in the struggle that links all of humanity – the fight for a sustainable environment – much more needs to be done, and much quicker than has been the case, thus far. Back in 2021 the leadership of the country inaugurated the bold ‘Saudi Green Initiative’. The vision outlined was crystal clear: reduce emissions, green the country, protect the land and the sea. But to make this happen it needs not just youth engagement but for businesses to step up and play their part. Right now, MM&Co.’s research suggests that corporate Saudi Arabia, with some notable exceptions (e.g. Olayan Saudi Holding Company, Olayan Financing Company) is the laggard versus the UAE, Europe and the United States.
Using a simple metric, of the percentage of Saudi companies having a proper Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), compared to a wider international peer group, the extent of the challenge today becomes very clear. Here is what Metin Mitchell & Company’s (MM&Co.) research shows:
Percentage of companies having a CSO[1]
| KSA listed | KSA family | UAE listed | UAE family | Europe listed (including UK) | USA listed |
| 33.33 % | 15.79 % | 44 % | 37.5 % | 92.5 % | 100 % |
[1] Proprietary data MM&Co.
It is, at this juncture, worth considering why it makes sense for a company to have a proper CSO to drive environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. The first thing to stress is that the CSO is not just this year’s corporate fashion. Nor is it just a way of assuaging our conscience for the sake of our children and grandchildren. It’s a bottom line imperative. CEOs who do not appoint a CSO with teeth should, in my opinion, be fired for failing their shareholders. Indeed in the US some shareholders have sued management for failing ESG. It is very clear that most companies that get sustainability right can expect a boost in profits. McKinsey & Co’s excellent report: Five ways that ESG creates value by Witold Henisz, Tim Koller, and Robin Nuttall (2019) shows that the right ESG strategy can enhance the bottom line in the following ways: top line growth through consumer and community preference vs competitors; cost reductions – less waste; government support; productivity uplift through more engaged employees – remembering that generation Z wants to be doing something meaningful; better investment returns.
Dr. Mitchell referred to a proper ‘CSO’. What he means by this is the executive who has the following attributes: empowerment, credibility, influence, coaching skills and critically – direct reporting line to the CEO or, more radically, to the Board, in the manner of a Chief Internal Auditor.
Empowerment & Reporting: a CSO without the authority to work across and down the organization, is pointless. The ability to make change will come, in part, from the hierarchical positioning of the CSO – either through direct reporting line to the CEO or to the Board. The legitimacy of seniority and access to the CEO and/or to shareholders should allow the CSO to work with function and division heads to drive, corporation wide, the organizations’ ESG strategy.
Credibility: the individual appointed does not necessarily have to be an ESG specialist – but they have to understand and care passionately about the subject and come from functions that understand business inside out. Thus finance, marketing and operational executives, with a successful track record behind them can make fine CSOs.
Influence & Coaching: ESG should not be a police function but an enabling function to help an organization and its executives reach its environmental goals. The skills of a real coach and influencer are required to nurture performance and encourage change of ethos and behaviour rather than ensuring stick beating compliance with dry rule book procedures that makes everyone’s eyes glaze over and ultimately prove counterproductive.
Here is what you can expect your CSO to do for you: design and implement sustainability initiatives; lead the sustainability team; manage the sustainability budget; stay updated on the government’s ESG initiatives, plans and regulations; coach and teach colleagues on achieving positive outcomes for the environment and for the organization; track environmental impact and increase profitability through ESG initiatives.
However, the CSO cannot do it alone, the whole organization needs to be involved and play its part and every employee needs to contribute to the discipline of sustainability. As they say, ‘there is no planet B’.
The Kingdom has the leadership, the resources and the ambition to be a regional role model in the existential struggle for sustainability – but the business community needs to move much faster. Appointing a strong CSO is the first step in this mission critical journey.
Source: Metin Mitchel & Co
As part of Lulu’s ESG & Sustainability programs, a solar project is being installed at LuLu Warehouse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in accordance with a contract with Kanoo Renewable Energy and CleanMax. As a result of the project, the first year is expected to generate 0.87 Mn kWh of electricity.
With such a large solar project, LuLu has taken an important step towards sustainability and demonstrates their commitment to ESG and eco-friendliness. The solar installation will reduce LuLu Warehouse's carbon footprint and result in significant energy cost savings, which will contribute to a more sustainable future. Further, if LuLu's production exceeds its needs, LuLu plans to contribute the same to the Kingdom’s wellbeing, demonstrating their commitment to supporting sustainable development.
"As part of this important step towards a more sustainable future, we are thrilled to be partnering with Kanoo and CleanMax on this exciting solar project." "The solar installation will not only reduce LuLu Warehouse's carbon footprint, but also result in significant energy cost savings," said Shehim Mohammed, Director, LuLu Saudi Hypermarket.
Lulu Warehouse expects to complete the solar project by the end of the year and will be able to reduce its carbon footprint and save on energy costs.
Source: Saudi Gazette
Hilton, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia, Winnow and Goumbook, has announced the launch of Green Ramadan, an initiative which will see food waste reduction efforts implemented at hotels across several key markets in the Middle East, including Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha in Qatar, Conrad Dubai in the UAE, and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences in Saudi Arabia.
With reports from UNEP West Asia showing that food waste increases by 25% - 50% in the region during religious and social festivities, Hilton is introducing measures to minimise waste during the holy month of Ramadan and drive awareness around local sourcing and food waste. The initiative is in line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals to reduce food waste sent to landfill by 50%.
The partnership will combine Hilton’s drive towards a net zero future, UNEP’s ‘Recipe of Change’ food waste reduction campaign, Goumbook’s local sustainability expertise, and Winnow’s AI technology – allowing for digitally-led tracking of food waste throughout Ramadan. In doing so, Hilton will gather data to predict future procurement and production needs while also minimising its long-term environmental impact.
As part of the initiative, participating Hilton hotels across Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia will compost excess food waste, prioritise local food sourcing within a 50-mile radius, promote plant-based dishes, restrict plastic use across operations, and partner with food banks.
In Qatar, Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha will offer guests a tasteful dining experience at Bywater Restaurant with breathtaking views of the stunning Arabian Gulf. The restaurant takes pride in serving locally sourced produce from the Al Wabra Farm, showcasing a meticulously crafted menu that plays an active role in reducing food-related emissions. The hotel has also partnered with the Hifz Alnaema Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving during the holy month.
In the UAE, Al-Wāha by Conrad Dubai will feature local produce from Fresh on Table, and an innovative plant-based section with a thoughtfully curated menu that helps to significantly cut food-related emissions. The hotel is also partnering with the UAE Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving by donating 100 meals per day throughout Ramadan. Conrad Dubai will also compost food waste from Al-Wāha through The Waste Lab.
Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences will take guests on a gastronomic journey at Amara, its Ramadan tent, which will feature local produce from Nadec and Pure Harvest Smart Farms as part of a thoughtfully curated menu that helps to significantly cut food-related emissions. The hotel is also partnering with the Ita’am Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving and will donate 100 meals per day throughout Ramadan. Additionally, the hotel will collaborate with Black Cow to collect and compost Iftar buffet leftovers to be used as organic fertilisers locally.
Emma Banks, vice president, F&B strategy & development, EMEA, Hilton, said, “As a global hospitality brand, Hilton has a responsibility to lead the industry in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. We are delighted to embrace the holy month of Ramadan with the introduction of the Green Ramadan initiative. Our partner, Winnow, will play a crucial role in this digital-first approach by collecting food waste data and using it to inform our local procurement requirements while working closely with our partner Goumbook to ensure an educated approach towards the implemented sustainable practices. We’re also aligning closely with UNEP West Asia’s ongoing ‘Recipe of Change’ campaign aimed at reducing food waste across the value chain”.
“We hope that Hilton’s Green Ramadan initiative will set the standard for years to come by encouraging local food sourcing and reducing food waste,” said Banks.
Mr. Sami Dimassi, UNEP representative and regional director, West Asia, said, “We are very pleased to collaborate with Hilton to activate this campaign across its key markets in the Middle East. Reducing food waste is not only about saving food, but also about saving resources. The only way forward is to work hand-in-hand by engaging the local community, private sector, and influencers. Today, every plate counts and so does every wasted plate. Let us all fight food waste and work towards a more sustainable future”.
Marc Zornes, CEO and co-founder, Winnow, said, “Winnow is delighted to partner with Hilton, Goumbook and UNEP West Asia on this initiative during Ramadan. Food waste is an important area of interest for the region from a social and environmental perspective. Our intention is for this collaboration to be underpinned by real-world data and behavioural science, offering a playbook for the industry to tackle food waste”.
Tatiana Antonelli, founder and managing director, Goumbook, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Hilton on their Green Ramadan initiative alongside UNEP West Asia and Winnow. With food waste almost doubling in the holy month of Ramadan, there is a great opportunity to raise awareness and spotlight the benefits of local sourcing and food waste management. As we look forward to COP28 happening in the Middle East later in 2023, this is our chance to address the need to instill change and drive action”.
Source: Hilton
RedSea, the Saudi AgTech business whose one-of-a-kind technology enables commercial farming in hot environments globally, has agreed a deal with PIF-owned Saudi Downtown Company (SDC).
The new partnership allows the two parties to discuss designing, building and operation of RedSea greenhouses at SDC locations across the Kingdom, allowing the deployment of sustainable agriculture technologies everyone can benefit from.
Each downtown project is a mixed-use development that will provide a platform to enhance the quality of life and promote economic growth across 12 Saudi cities, delivering magnet attractions for each individual location.
Saudi to build sustainable farms
The partnership will enhance the urban living experience through the integration of innovative, sustainable greenhouses into modern city landscapes with original concepts also designed to highlight the rich culture and tradition of each area.
The greenhouses are not only sustainable and include the most advanced technologies, the facilities will themselves become attractive destinations for visitors in their own right through their creative experience and culinary-driven offerings.
New job and training opportunities for locals can be expected in the horticultural management, juice bars and cafés that will form the ensemble.
This collaboration is aligned with the Kingdom’s vision and the quality of life objectives by enhancing green spaces and providing fresh, high-quality produce to local communities.
RedSea provides world-class expertise from a Saudi Made company that ensures a robust and science-based design of innovative sustainable agriculture technologies for very hot climates.
RedSea’s technologies span from the roots of the fruits and vegetables to the roof of the greenhouse and have been proven in its 6-ha facility near Riyadh and its research and development facility in KAUST.
Ryan Lefers, CEO and co-founder of RedSea, said: “We are excited to announce our collaboration with SDC. The greenhouses are not only sustainable and inclusive of the most advanced technologies – the facilities themselves are designed as experience centres for community visitors while also providing agriculture education as well as economic advantages.
“We are delighted to be working with key Saudi partners such as SDC to further our mission to feed the world sustainability while significantly scaling our business.”
RedSea has a full platform of proprietary technologies including transparent nanomaterial which allows visible light through, while absorbing the heat – and a smart enterprise remote monitoring and control system enabling higher yields and sustainability for agriculture producers in hot climates globally.
RedSea’s goal is to become a world-leader in providing sustainable technologies for hot environments, pioneering sustainable solutions to tackle food insecurity.
RedSea now has its technology deployed in seven countries and is currently delivering produce to over 100 retail locations across Saudi Arabia, under the Red Sea Farms produce brand.
This partnership is part of the portfolio of high-profile sustainable farm facilities RedSea is building, including RedSea Global and Silal.
Source: Arabian Business
Estedama, a fully integrated environmental solutions service company based in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, continues to strengthen its waste recycling capabilities as it announces plans to invest in a contaminated soil wash plant designed and engineered by CDE.
The wash plant will be commissioned at Estedama’s Al Damman facility where it will process a range of oil-contaminated waste materials from around Saudi Arabia. transported by the company’s own fleet of tanker trucks, trailers, vacuum suction trucks and support vehicles.
The news comes as the two companies finalise the milestone agreement at the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum in Abu Dhabi, marking the first project between the materials wet processing experts and environmental specialists.
BENEFITS OF CONTAMINATED SOIL WASHING
Soil washing involves the recovery of a range of materials from soils, often extracted from oilfield and drilling sites containing pollutants, organics and other contaminants from oil spillages. Traditionally categorised as a waste product and destined for landfill, these contaminated soils typically contain valuable sand, and aggregate and oil resources that can be recovered. in a range of specifications, cleaned and reused by the construction industry for a variety of applications.
Mr Faleh Aldossary, General Manager, Estedama, says: “It is our vision to be the leading fully integrated industrial waste management entity in Saudi Arabiathe Middle East, contributing to the circular economy initiatives set by 2030 vision and we are always exploring the potential for new strategic partnerships with forward-thinking and innovative technology providers who we believe can help us to make that vision a reality.
“The adoption of new and improved technology is fundamental to achieving this and we see CDE as an important partner whose expertise and reputation in the field of soil remediation will support our company to transform how contaminated soils are managed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
CDE Regional Manager for Middle East & Africa Mr Ruchin Garg, says: “Investing in CDE washing technology is committing to a better way of working. Estedama is a company already fully focused on tackling the waste burden through technological means and so there is unmistakable synergy between our two companies. Our solutions have been developed over 30 years of engineering excellence and we’re confident our technical response will equip Mr Aldossary and the Estedama team with the technology to strengthen its market position and deliver a long-term sustainable means for the management of oil-contaminated waste streams.”
