Like everyone, Saudi Arabia is confronted by the dual challenge of enhancing digital infrastructure and tackling environmental sustainability. The Kingdom’s strategic initiatives contribute to a greener digital landscape with lower carbon emissions, a more circular economy, by spearheading sustainable innovation.

Innovation is the key

Saudi Arabia foster technologies such as AI by Red Sea Global to discover wildlife and 3D printing for the world’s largest coral restoration project by KAUST and NEOM. (See these and other examples in CST’s “Digital and Space Sustainability in Saudi Arabia” report.)

CST developed the C.I.R.C.L.E.S Roadmap, aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative, focuses on renewable energy and the circular economy, green energy adoption and digital e-waste management – and underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in positioning the digital sector as a catalyst for change.

Sharing globally

As the the Kingdom progress nationally, CST shares its experience globally.  ITU has been pivotal in supporting the kingdom’s sustainability initiatives within the digital sector. CST leads the “Foster a circular ICT industry” track within the ITU Green Digital Action coalition – developing regulations and standards for e-waste management.

Nationally, Recycle Your Device initiative collected 100,000 devices worth $8M in one year. Globally, CST has collaborated with ITU to establish circular economy policies in Zambia, Rwanda, and Paraguay.

The Digital Sustainability Toolkit, developed with the Digital Cooperation Organization, share Saudi expertise worldwide, with strategies for regulators to reduce energy use, lower carbon footprints, and adopt sustainable practices. The toolkit has been adopted by Bahrain, Ghana, and Nigeria.