RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia remains committed to increase the percentage of renewable energy to 50 percent in electricity production, while the remaining 50 percent will come from enhanced gas by carbon capture and sequestration technologies by 2030, said Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Climate Affairs Envoy.
He also highlighted the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the hydrogen field and its goal to produce up to 2.9 million tons annually by 2030 and to increase it to 4 million tons annually by 2035 at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF). The event was called for and opened by the US President Joseph Biden.
During the video conference, the Minister began the Kingdom’s speech by expressing gratitude to Biden for hosting the crucial summit amid the global climate change challenges.
Al-Jubeir emphasized the Kingdom’s dedication to collaborating with international and regional partners to find solutions in the climate sector. This includes developing carbon management techniques, decarbonizing the energy sector, reducing emissions of other gases, and ending deforestation.
The Saudi minister reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives to foster joint action, including the Reforestation Initiative. The initiative aims to combat deforestation by planting billions of trees locally and tens of billions of trees throughout the Middle East and other regions.
The Saudi Climate Affairs Envoy also highlighted the Kingdom’s global leadership in managing methane gas in the energy sector, extending back to the 1970s.
He added that the Kingdom works with other countries to share experiences and expertise through the Global Methane Initiative (GMI). Al-Jubeir reaffirmed the Kingdom’s dedication to holistic solutions, including clean technologies for hydrocarbon materials that support the global carbon management challenge.