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13- Climate Action
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Goal 13: Climate Action
Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As the global community confronts the escalating challenges of climate change, many nations are working to mitigate its effects. This article focuses on Saudi Arabia's efforts in addressing climate change, with a particular emphasis on the role of Qassim University in promoting climate action.
Climate action in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, known for its rich oil reserves, has acknowledged the critical importance of addressing climate change. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 program reflects its commitment to diversifying its economy, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. The Saudi government has taken several steps to combat climate change:
- الاستثمار في الطاقة المتجددة: استثمرت المملكة العربية السعودية بشكل كبير في مصادر الطاقة المتجددة مثل الطاقة الشمسية وطاقة الرياح. وتهدف البلاد إلى توليد 50% من كهربائها من مصادر الطاقة المتجددة بحلول عام 2030، وهي خطوة مهمة نحو تقليل بصمتها الكربونية.
- Carbon pricing: The Kingdom has introduced a carbon pricing mechanism to encourage industries to reduce emissions and adopt cleaner technologies.
- Reforestation efforts: Major reforestation projects have been launched to increase the country's vegetation cover and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Energy Efficiency: The government is implementing energy efficiency programs across various sectors to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions.
Climate Action Initiatives at Qassim University
Qassim University, a prominent educational institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recognizes its responsibility to contribute to climate action. The university has taken several proactive measures to address climate change and promote sustainability:
- Research and Innovation: Qassim University has established research centers and initiatives focusing on environmental sustainability and climate change. These centers conduct advanced research on renewable energy, carbon capture, sustainable agriculture, and other related fields.
- Curriculum Integration: The university integrated climate-related topics into its academic curricula across disciplines, ensuring students are educated on climate change science, its impacts, and potential solutions.
- Awareness Campaigns: Qassim University conducts awareness campaigns and workshops to educate its students, faculty, and the local community about the importance of climate action. These campaigns promote sustainable practices and encourage behavioral change.
- Renewable Energy Reliance: The university has invested in on-campus renewable energy projects, such as solar panels and wind turbines, to reduce its carbon footprint and serve as a model for sustainable energy practices.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Qassim University collaborates with government entities, non-governmental organizations, and industrial partners to collectively address climate change challenges. This collaboration enhances the impact of climate action initiatives.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Although Saudi Arabia and Qassim University have made commendable efforts in climate action, challenges remain. These include transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency, ensuring policy implementation, and fostering a culture of sustainability. However, with strong commitment and ongoing initiatives, both the Kingdom and the university are poised to make significant progress in climate action.
Climate change is a global crisis that requires immediate and coordinated efforts. Saudi Arabia's commitment to Goal 13 and Qassim University's proactive approach to promoting climate action exemplify the role that nations and educational institutions can play in mitigating climate change. By collectively addressing climate challenges, communities can work towards a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.
Research for Health Innovation
The university's commitment to Goal 3 extends to its research efforts focused on health innovation and improvement. Research projects at Qassim University address critical health issues, such as infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and healthcare delivery. By producing knowledge and innovative solutions, the university contributes to the advancement of medical practices and patient care.
The university receives a delegation from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture
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On Wednesday, 06/07/1442 AH, the university, represented by the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, received a delegation from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The two parties held their second meeting to activate the memorandum of understanding between them, discussing cooperation in environmental conservation. Afterward, the delegation toured several colleges at the university city campus, including the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Economics and Administration.
This meeting is being held to activate the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the university and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to cooperate in environmental fields, seeking to benefit from the capabilities and expertise of each party. The meeting discussed the tasks of the team members, the efforts made by each party in raising awareness of the necessity of preserving the environment and increasing green spaces, and ways to achieve integration between them for the benefit of the entire community.
The needs of both sides were discussed, as well as how to exchange expertise between them in the field of academic and training programs, whether at the level of intermediate and higher diplomas, or bachelor's and postgraduate programs. The university team participating in the meeting presented an overview of the scientific and research capabilities and expertise that the university and its colleges possess in several areas needed by the environmental sector.
For its part, the ministry's delegation presented short presentations to introduce the environment sector and the work of the ministry's Environmental Agency. These included the National Environmental Strategy, the ministry's efforts in developing vegetation cover and combating desertification, as well as the ministry's efforts in protecting and managing national parks, in addition to its efforts in environmental awareness and the needs of national environmental centers for academic programs.
Network Water Quality Conference in Buraydah Continues Its Activities
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The Networks Water Quality Conference continued its activities today at the King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah, where three panel sessions were held, including 8 working papers.
The first session, chaired by the Vice President of Qassim University for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Ahmed Al-Turki, discussed three working papers. The first paper, titled “Groundwater Quality,” was presented by Dr. Hussein Al-Ajmi. He explained that groundwater constitutes approximately 98% of fresh water and accounts for approximately 60% of drinking water supply projects in the Kingdom.
The second paper was titled “Plastic Pipes Used for Drinking Water in Networks and Homes.” Engineer Turki Al-Shahrani discussed the advantages of plastic pipes and their environmental friendliness.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Arifi presented the third paper, titled “The Desalination Industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” in which he addressed the water challenges facing the Kingdom, the history of the desalination industry, and some local and global statistics.
The second session, chaired by the Director General of the Water Regulation Department at the Ministry, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Shuaibi, discussed three working papers. The first addressed “Promising Desalination Methods,” presented by Dr. Ibrahim Al-Meaataz, who explained that some technologies are still in the experimental stage, such as desalination by hydration and dehydration, and desalination by freezing, among others.
As for the second paper, it discussed “Optimal Design of Water Purification Plants to Reduce Wastewater Loss,” presented by Dr. Mohamed Heikal. He explained that water purification plants produce daily quantities of...
The third paper, titled “Specifications of Conveyed Water and Their Impact on the Lifespan of Conveyance Systems and Their Reflection on the Quality of Water Reaching the Consumer,” was presented by Dr. Saud bin Murshid. He highlighted the operational technical specifications applied to desalinated water conveyance systems in the Kingdom.
The third session, chaired by Dr. Badr Al-Buraidi, former director of the Studies and Designs Department at the General Directorate of Water in Al-Qassim, discussed two papers. The first paper addressed “Protection of Buried Carbon Steel Pipes Used in Water Transportation from Corrosion.” Engineer Hamad Ababatah spoke about the importance of protecting pipes, as they represent the backbone of the project for the longest possible service continuity.
The second and final paper was titled “Monitoring of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants in Water Produced from Saline Water Conversion Corporation Plants,” presented by Dr. Ali Al-Hamza. He noted that the World Health Organization's (WHO) standard specifications for drinking water showed that organic and inorganic pollutants in the water produced from desalination plants are within globally permissible limits.
Search for sustainable solutions for Saudi Arabia
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Researchers at Qassim University are using the latest technologies to find sustainable energy sources and environmentally friendly technologies for water management.
From converting date palm waste into renewable energy to utilizing solar power, Qassim University seeks sustainable energy solutions.
Investigating sustainable developments in energy, water, and environmental engineering is one of the university's ten priorities identified in its research strategy for 2020-2024.
Sustainable technologies are essential in Saudi Arabia, where wastewater, municipal and construction waste, and air pollution pose environmental threats. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 has set a goal to generate half of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2030.
The Qassim University is working on many solutions, from sludge management and waste recycling to desalination of seawater and groundwater.
One of the prominent projects, led by Professor Suleiman Al-Yahya, investigates how to convert date palm waste into renewable energy.
The central Qassim region has more than 8 million date palm trees. The trees produce large quantities of agricultural waste, including dry leaves, stems, and seeds. Al-Yahya says: “A quarter of a date palm constitutes waste, and many farmers burn this waste, which results in CO2 emissions and harms the environment. We are actually focusing on how to convert this waste into energy.”
An international group of researchers, including scientists from Iowa State University, is studying how to convert waste materials into forms of renewable energy such as biomass, biodiesel, and biogas.
Researchers are using a new autogenous pyrolysis technique, developed by Iowa State University's Bioeconomy Institute. The process is simpler and cheaper than traditional pyrolysis and does not require an external energy source.
Al-Yahya says: “If we achieve this goal by converting date palm waste into energy, CO2 emissions in the Kingdom will decrease by approximately 8,000 tons. We will stop burning agricultural waste and at the same time produce higher-value products.”
University solar energy research also focuses on converting light into energy. Dr. Muhannad Al-Arraj, an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department, studies the economic efficiency of solar panels in the Qassim region and researches the impact of sandstorms and clouds on energy production.
Dr. Salim Al-Saleem from the College of Engineering addresses water and wastewater treatment using solar energy, gray water treatment, and finding solutions for solid waste and noise management. He is a member of the university's Center for Sustainable Development, which oversees awareness and sustainability projects.
Future research will also be bolstered by a new AI Research Chair, which will fund studies in the fields of energy and agriculture.
Laying the foundation stone for the first phase of the Buraydah Green Oasis project
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His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Al-Qassim region, inaugurated the Green Oasis project in the city of Buraidah. The cornerstone for the first phase of the project was laid, with a total cost exceeding 77 million riyals, spanning a total area of 28 million square meters, and planting 200,000 trees. The project is being implemented by the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in cooperation with the region's municipality.
The Buraydah Oasis project and similar giant environmental projects are being undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to develop and advance the environmental sanitation system, and to work on all that enhances the elevation of the nation and its citizens. This is supported by His Highness the Emir of Al-Qassim and endorsed by His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
Seminar titled (Sustainable Agriculture: Safe Produce and Clean Environment)
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The Plant Production and Protection Department is holding a seminar on sustainable agriculture on February 27, 2019, titled:
Sustainable Agriculture: Safe Product and Clean Environment
A number of students visited the controlled environment agriculture course, the hydroponic project in Unaizah
On Monday, 02/03/1439 AH, a number of students from the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine – Plant Production and Protection Department, as part of their Protected Agriculture course, made a scientific visit to the headquarters of the hydroponics project affiliated with the Directorate of Agriculture in the Governorate of Unaizah. The delegation was received by Engineer Abdulmohsen Al-Harbi, the project supervisor, who accompanied them on a tour of the project. He provided a comprehensive explanation of hydroponics and its importance for the conditions in the Kingdom, and answered all the students' questions and inquiries.
After that, Engineer Abdul Rahman Al-Mayman accompanied them. He manufactures, builds, and installs hydroponic farming materials and devices, which left a great impression on the students with what they saw, and increased their understanding of the subject and their love for this type of agriculture. Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Mashili supervised this scientific trip.
Saudi Green Initiative
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As part of the initiative #Saudi Green And in pursuit of the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030,
contributes #جامعة_القصيم in increasing the green area within the university campus, and utilizing approximately 524 thousand cubic meters From treated water to reduce the effects of desertification.
"Our environment is our life. Let's not destroy it with our own hands. Be responsible and protect the environment."
Key Initiatives:
- Increasing student participation in activities related to sustainability and climate change.
Key Performance Indicators
- Number of student organizations related to sustainability (including climate change)
- Number of cultural activities on campus (e.g., cultural festivals), including virtual activities, that address sustainability concepts (including climate change).
- The number of organized community services to address concepts of sustainability and climate change.
"Our environment is our life. Let's not destroy it with our own hands. Be responsible and protect the environment."
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References
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[5] [Online]. Available: .Click this link
[6] [Online]. Available: .Click this link
[7] [Online]. Available: .Click this link