RIYADH, Oct 23, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia will aim
to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, its de facto ruler said
Saturday, days before the COP26 global climate summit.
The kingdom, one of the world's biggest polluters, said it would also join
a global effort to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
"I announce today Saudi Arabia's target to reach net zero emissions by
2060 through its circular carbon economy approach," said Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman in a recorded statement at the "Saudi Green Initiative"
forum.
"I am pleased to launch initiatives in the energy sector that will reduce
carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030, thus voluntarily
more than doubling the target announced, estimated at 130 million tonnes
annually," said Prince Mohammed.
"We also announce the kingdom's accession to the Global Methane Pledge,"
he added.
A statement said Saudi Arabia would "contribute to cutting global methane
emissions by 30 percent by 2030, as part of its commitment to deliver a
cleaner, greener future".
The announcements come a day after UN chief Antonio Guterres said the
current climate situation was "a one-way ticket for disaster", stressing the
need to "avoid a failure" at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
Held between October 31 and November 12, the gathering in the Scottish
city is seen as a crucial step in setting worldwide emission targets to slow
global warming.
In March, Saudi Arabia unveiled a sweeping campaign to tackle climate
change and reduce carbon emissions, including a plan to plant billions of
trees in the coming decades.
The OPEC kingpin aims to reduce emissions by generating half of its energy
from renewables by 2030, Prince Mohammed said at the time.
Saudi Arabia currently draws on oil and natural gas to both meet its own
fast-growing power demand and desalinate its water -- which consumes huge
quantities of oil daily.
The initiatives come as energy giant Saudi Aramco, the kingdom's cash cow,
faces scrutiny from investors over its emissions.