labels are now displayed on all main food counters . The project aimed to raise awareness and nudge consumers into making more informed and environmentally conscious food choices .
Supporting the creation of national centers to study climate change
Inaugurated at KAUST in September 2022 , the center will be the central coordinating authority for climate change science in the Kingdom and MENA region by developing and conducting research on operational subseasonalto-seasonal forecasting , and climate modeling and projection capabilities . The center will evaluate the state of the regional climate and its teleconnections with the global climate phenomenon , build an operational drought system , support the Saudi Green Initiative , investigate the impact of climate change on the dynamics of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf , and study regional trends in the mean and extreme environmental conditions .
The Regional Sand and Dust Storms Early Warning and Advisory Center aims to be an international entity among GCC countries hosting a state-of-the-art dust storm predicting system for early warning of dust storms over the Arabian Peninsula . As a research partner , KAUST will conduct dust research , such as observation and modeling , to understand dust generation , transport , and composition in support of NCM activities .
13.3 ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH
Advocating for climate solutions at COP
In 2021 ,
KAUST participated in the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow . Across two weeks , KAUST representatives joined scientists , policymakers , activists and leaders from around the world in a series of panel events , informal discussions and presentations .
KAUST faculty participated in events run by the Saudi Ministry of Energy , the International Coral Reef Society , and Aeon Collective , a leading Saudi-based Waqf working on sustainable development . The events focused on a range of themes , including climate adaptation , protecting and restoring coral , mangrove and seagrass restoration transitioning to net-zero emissions , hydrogen energy , solar technology , the circular carbon economy ( CCE ) and clean combustion .
In 2022 , KAUST became an Education partner for Climate Action ’ s Sustainable Innovation Forum at COP27 . At the Innovation Zone , KAUST presented a booth showcasing its research solutions for climate action , and KAUST ’ s President Tony Chan participated in a panel discussion on the role of universities in accelerating climate action . Additionally , several faculty participated in events in the Green and Blue Zone , reaching governmental stakeholders and advocating for marine ecosystem restoration and enhancement , food security , and climate change adaptation and mitigation .
KAUST representatives participating at COP 26 ( first photo ) and COP 27 ( remaining photos )
Pushing for sustainability and climatefocused investments
KAUST has echoed its sustainability agenda at the Future Investment Initiative ( FII ) Summit , an event informally known as the “ Davos of the Desert ”. The yearly event brings together global investors , innovators , entrepreneurs , and heads of state into roundtables and panel discussions on the future of global investment to advance human prosperity . In the 2021 event , KAUST organized an impact session on “ Preparing Cities for a Warmer Climate ”. KAUST faculty also participated in discussions on the impacts of climate change on our oceans , and the importance of investing in preparedness and conservation . In the 2022 edition ,
KAUST continued to advocate for investment in climate action , with a KAUST faculty leading a discussion panel on the Hydrogen Economy , and with the showcase of a KAUST pavilion featuring some of the university ’ s sustainability-driven projects such as carbon capture and storage , clean fuels and renewable energy .
Connecting stakeholders for better combustion technologies
Delegates from academia , government laboratories and industry were invited to attend the 2021 hybrid conference on
‘ Near Zero-Carbon Combustion Technology ’, hosted and organized by the Clean Combustion Research Center ( CCRC ) at KAUST . Participants presented their work and discussed three main topics : efficient power generation with integrated carbon capture ; combustion of carbonfree fuels for power generation and transportation ; and low-carbon thermal energy for industrial applications . As the world races towards decarbonization , KAUST is building bridges between researchers , industry and governments to accelerate the deployment of innovative technologies .
Supporting the oil industry in green transitioning
Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“ Aramco ”) inaugurated the Aramco Research Center at KAUST ( ARC KAUST ) in 2022 , aiming to accelerate the development of low-carbon solutions for the energy industry . Researchers , engineers and scientists intend to develop new technologies in carbon capture , low-carbon hydrogen / ammonia , nonmetallics , e-fuels , and advanced transport technologies . The opening of the center represents an important step in Aramco ’ s strategy of contributing to a clean energy future . The center offers unique collaboration opportunities to leverage KAUST ’ s research capabilities and talent in the fields of clean combustion , data analytics and super computing .
31 | KAUST SDG HIGHLIGHT REPORT