Saudi Arabia’s KAUST report showcases local, global action on sustainability

THUWAL: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, also known as KAUST, has implemented ambitious alliances toward achieving global sustainability goals in the Kingdom and abroad.

The university, which was founded in 2009, recently released a report on progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The document, which covers the period from 2021 to 2022, features major projects, programs and initiatives advanced by KAUST across three broad categories: education and research, operations, and engagement and outreach.

Tony Chan, KAUST president, said that the report “will inspire us to continue our sustainability journey, and also inspire local, national and international audiences across all sectors of society to engage with us in the search for the solutions we need to collectively thrive.”

Dr. Ana Margarida Costa, head of the university’s Office of Sustainability, said: “KAUST’s work on sustainability is making a difference in the Kingdom and the world. We look forward to keeping up the momentum to further advance our sustainability agenda.”

The report also stresses KAUST’s involvement in several international sustainability networks; research on climate solutions and the water-energy-food nexus; participation in or hosting of key events such as Conference of the Parties — the UN Climate Change Conference; the UN Ocean Conference; the intergovernmental Group of 20; the Future Investment Initiative; the World Sustainability Forum; and The World Academy of Sciences general conference.

The report additionally profiles the university’s engagement with strategic national projects, institutions and companies such as Red Sea Global, NEOM, ARAMCO, the Saudi Green Initiative, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Public Investment Fund, and Aeon Collective.