Al-Baha goes dark: Saudi cities observe ‘green hours’ to reduce carbon emissions World News

Baja turned off non-essential lights for one hour as part of a local effort to promote awareness of energy use and environmental protection.In Saudi Arabia, the Baha Municipality turned off the lights in parts of the city on Friday to launch the “Baha Green Hour” initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The move is linked to wider Saudi green initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions and encouraging people to use energy more responsibly.

Within an hour, non-essential lights were turned off in 28 buildings and several neighborhoods, while basic lighting required for security remained operational, the Saudi Press Agency reported.The idea behind the initiative is to raise awareness about energy conservation and environmental protection. By involving communities and public buildings, the authority aims to encourage people to take part in sustainability efforts and adopt more responsible energy use.Officials said the event also supports broader environmental goals by improving quality of life and promoting green cityscapes. It reflects the municipality’s commitment to contributing to a sustainable future for the Kingdom.The initiative was launched around Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27 every year, which encourages activities such as tree planting in parks, gardens and public spaces to increase environmental awareness.