It was clear during COP27 that only through strong leadership and new technologies can we combat climate change, house an additional population of 3.2bn people by 2100, all while preserving our natural capital. Natural capital is our greatest resource, a wealth that resides not just in the environment, but also in social and economic benefits. This is a realisation NEOM has had for years.
After all, climate change is a serious threat to the world and for NEOM an increased probability of droughts, dust storms, and higher temperatures. Under a high emission scenario, NEOM could experience an increase in air temperature of 2–4 °C by 2050–2070.
This will consequently impact the lives of all residents including the wildlife of NEOM.
Which is why NEOM, as part of Saudi Arabia’s leading role on climate change action, is designing the world’s most livable and sustainable society.
A thriving economy and home to millions, powered by transformative environmental technologies. A significant challenge but one that we are meeting head on and where we have already made inroads.
At NEOM, a climate-first approach to sustainable development is intrinsic to all our plans and we are working with researchers, educators, startups, and investors to make this a reality. We are also investing in and developing clean energy generation, zero waste desalination, advanced and clean manufacturing, technology, research, and innovation across a broad spectrum of industrial sectors.
After all, future solutions to the issues related to preventing and adapting to climate change discussed at COP27 will be engineered and hosted in living labs like NEOM. It was also reassuring to see the global focus on hydrogen as a clean energy source and the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund for developing and vulnerable countries.
Renewable energy will play a big factor in our long-term success. Once operational, NEOM will be powered by 100 percent renewables such as solar, wind and green hydrogen-based energy. We’re already making way on that front including building the world’s largest plant to produce green hydrogen at scale, through a joint venture with ACWA Power and Air Products.
Renewables drive decarbonisation through electrification, but green hydrogen can be core to sectors whose power needs exceed electrification capabilities. NEOM will also be a leader in the development of green hydrogen solutions and the regional hub for its technology and production.
Innovative clean energy storage initiatives are also being created such as a gravity energy storage system within THE LINE, a linear city of hyperconnected future communities, without cars and built around nature, stretching 170km long and 200m wide. The system will be operational by 2030 and will allow for a bulk energy supply to power THE LINE’s commercial and residential communities – optimizing for low costs, minimal emissions, and maximum reliability.
The NEOM region, leveraging the sale of the development, will also be delivering a leading framework for the Circular Carbon Economy, a way forward to managing and reducing any carbon emissions from renewable energy.
A Circular Economy at scale will be in operation, too. OXAGON, NEOM’s advanced manufacturing centre and innovation hub, will support its development with co-located industry designed to maximise synergies and help manufacturers close the loop on waste creating new industries in the process.
All while through environmental conservation, to combat desertification and other climate change problems, will see us prioritise regenerative development. NEOM will focus on repairing and rewilding the lands and sea, while protecting 95 percent of NEOM’s area for nature – a remarkable feat. Leveraging a successional approach, we will start the regreening with grasses and plants that stabilise the sand.
This will provide shelter for small animals and bring back native trees such as the acacia. Only through these studied measures we can bring back more species and habitats, such as the Oryx. Nature after all comes full circle, everything is connected and circular – and we must operate in the same way. Only through this philosophy can we expect transformational change on global warming.
COP27 acknowledged that the 1.5c target will only be achieved through the protection of natural capital and a transformational shift in our economy. Achieving such targets requires fresh ideas and firm action alongside organizations like NEOM ready to do their part prioritizing the delivery of a more sustainable future.
To the world, we are open for business and welcome the innovators of tomorrow who together want to design and live in a sustainable future.
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