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Saudi Arabia’s Journey toward Net-Zero Emissions: Progress and Challenges

Author

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  • Mazen A. Al-Sinan

    (Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulaziz A. Bubshait

    (Department of Construction Engineering & Management, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fatimah Alamri

    (Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become an obligation for countries that ratified the Paris Agreement. Saudi Arabia, as a member of the Paris Agreement, pledged to achieve net zero emissions (NZE) by 2060. This endeavor is challenging for all countries. This paper provides an analysis and assessment of the Saudi measures to achieve NZE by 2060. The analysis reveals that Saudi Arabia will reduce the total net emissions to 49.67 Mt of CO 2 eq, whereas under a business-as-usual scenario, the emissions would reach 1.724 million tons (Mt) of CO 2 equivalent (CO 2 eq). The study reveals that sectors conducting environmental, social, and governance ratings (ESG) and those where the government is a stakeholder are on the right track and will facilitate the government’s efforts in reaching NZE. The gap in reaching NZE will be mainly due to the Saudi steel and cement industries.

Suggested Citation

  • Mazen A. Al-Sinan & Abdulaziz A. Bubshait & Fatimah Alamri, 2023. "Saudi Arabia’s Journey toward Net-Zero Emissions: Progress and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:2:p:978-:d:1036736
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jawaher Binsuwadan & Lamya Alotaibi & Hawazen Almugren, 2025. "The Role of Agriculture in Shaping CO 2 in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Economic and Environmental Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Drago, Carlo & Arnone, Massimo & Leogrande, Angelo, 2025. "Exploring N₂O Emissions at World Level: Advanced Econometric and Machine Learning Approaches in the ESG Context," MPRA Paper 124006, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Amjad Ali, 2023. "Transforming Saudi Arabia’s Energy Landscape towards a Sustainable Future: Progress of Solar Photovoltaic Energy Deployment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-21, May.

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