SCE President affirms significance of National Environment Day in achieving sustainable development goals

Manama, Feb. 3 (BNA): Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressed that the Council is keen to implement the directives of M the King by focusing on achieving sustainable development goals and dealing with environmental and climate challenges to protect humans and the environment. HH Shaikh Abdullah said that celebrating National Environment Day on February 4 under the theme "We preserve the climate to preserve the future generations" aims to highlight the issue of climate change, which has become a global environmental concern that requires deep cooperation to confront its effects. He stressed that climate change has become the most prominent issue internationally and the world has become more interested in searching for serious solutions to reduce its effects. He highlighted that Bahrain is among the first countries to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Kingdom is also one of the first countries that believed in the need to preserve the environment and to reduce the effects of climate change on the planet. These changes became tangible to everyone after the rise in temperatures in various parts of the world and the increase in natural disasters across the globe. HH Shaikh Abdullah said that the Council is working hard to achieve the goals announced by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister during his participation in (COP26) in Glasgow. HRH had affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to reach zero neutrality by 2060 and to reduce emissions by 30% by 2035 through decarbonization and energy efficiency initiatives, to double renewable energy sources, to quadruple mangrove trees, to double the number of trees in Bahrain, and to direct investment in carbon sequestration technologies. The SCE president called on government institutions, private sectors, civil society institutions, citizens and residents to enhance the efforts of the Kingdom towards protecting the environment from the effects of climate change through cooperation, solidarity, and investment in sustainable development. He also encouraged demonstrating the principles of social responsibility towards environmental issues. HH Shaikh Abdullah pointed to SCE’s pride in supporting environmental initiatives and sustainable development programs, and its readiness to strengthen cooperation between various sectors in order to unify and boost national environmental efforts.