Saudi Arabia, announced on Saturday it aims to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change.
The announcement, made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in brief scripted remarks at the start of the kingdom’s first-ever Saudi Green Initiative Forum, was timed to make an impact a little more than a week before the start of the global COP26 climate conference being held in Glasgow, Scotland. Although the kingdom will aim to reduce its own emissions, it will continue to export fossil fuels to Asia and other regions.
“The transition to net zero carbon emissions will be delivered in a manner that preserves the kingdom’s leading role in enhancing the security and stability of global energy markets, particularly considering the maturity and availability of technologies necessary to manage and reduce emissions,” said a statement by the Saudi Green Initiative forum.
The global summit COP26 starting from October 31 will draw heads of state from across the world to try and tackle global warming and its challenges. It is being described as “the world’s last best chance” to prevent global warming from reaching dangerous levels.
