What is the issue and why does it matter ?
The G20 countries account for around 80% of global emissions. The United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C” highlighted that “Rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure including transport and buildings and industrial systems is needed to achieve climate goals” (IPCC 2018). To stabilize global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) above pre-industrial levels, global emissions would need to be carbon neutral by 2050. Saudi Arabia has historically had one of the fastest-growing rates of CO2 emissions among G20 countries. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is contributing to a ‘green transition’ through its policies on economic diversification, energy efficiency, domestic energy price reform and fuel mix changes, such as the increased use of natural gas. The country’s adoption of renewable and nuclear energy offers the potential for a further ‘greening’ of its economic growth.
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 CO2 Emissions Fall
Faster Than Expected, Nicholas Howarth, Alessandro Lanza and Thamir Al Shehri
