Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, announced the impending operation of the region’s first hydrogen-fueled train.
Speaking at the COP28 conference in Dubai, he highlighted the rapidly decreasing costs of transportation using alternative energy sources.
Al-Jasser emphasized the transportation sector’s significant contribution to climate change and carbon emissions, noting it as the second-largest source of emissions in Saudi Arabia, after the energy sector. He acknowledged that the growth in population and the resultant rise in transportation usage sometimes adversely affect the environment.
The minister underlined the Saudi Green Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as a critical step towards prioritizing sustainability in environmental efforts. The initiative aims to cut carbon emissions by approximately 267 million tons by 2030, with the National Transport Strategy targeting an 18 percent emissions reduction by the same year.
He pointed out that the Kingdom is nearing the achievement of its sustainable transportation goals, integral to Vision 2030.
However, he identified four major challenges: increasing transportation needs due to population growth, the high infrastructure costs associated with transitioning to low-emission technologies, the necessity of ramping up non-fossil-based electric power production, and the reliance on comprehensive data for implementing effective carbon reduction strategies.
Al-Jasser also noted the decreasing cost of electric vehicles compared to traditional fuel-powered cars, which encourages consumer adoption of eco-friendly vehicles. He mentioned that Saudi Arabia is fostering this shift through legislative support and aims for 50 percent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2030.
He highlighted initiatives like remote working in government departments to minimize transportation needs and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the Kingdom is bolstering public transport systems, including metro and bus projects in Riyadh, and developing an integrated public transport network.
In the aviation sector, Saudi Arabia is adopting eco-friendly policies, including efforts to fuel aircraft with low-emission, environmentally friendly fuel.
Al-Jasser concluded by mentioning the successful test run of a hydrogen-powered train last month, a move towards zero-emission and environmentally friendly railway transportation. This development marks a significant step in the pursuit of sustainable and innovative transport solutions in Saudi Arabia.
