Saudi Arabia (المملكة العربية السعودية)

1. Introduction

Saudi Arabia is a developing oil-exporting country in the Middle East. Relatively a young nation endowed with wealth from energy export, which its completely reliant on for its growth and fiscal expenditure. Saudi Arabia is a country situated in the middle of the desert with a shortage of water resources and food and crops whereby the country’s survival is largely dependent on its energy industry revenues to afford water desalination and food import from overseas. thus, when it comes to climate change, the economy and the environment fragility underpins all efforts in tackling the crisis. And the question policymakers are faced with is how to achieve climate change goals while ensuring growth and development. 

Saudi Arabia has shown it’s a considerable effort to ensure its contribution to the protection of its environment and resources. Environmental protection is one of the major factors in the battle of tackling environmental challenges. Climate change, in particular, is an essential part of the environment. Thus, in Saudi Arabia’s environment protection goals, there are entries dedicated to reducing air pollution, index of air quality, reducing water pollution, etc. However, most of Saudi Arabia’s ecosystems are very sensitive, its renewable water sources are scarce, and it is highly dependent on fossil fuel exports. Hence, since Saudi Arabia is vulnerable to climate change, and according to its 2030 vision, Saudi Arabia is trying to tackle all these risks by identifying the main contributing factors to climate change and the measures that are being taken [1]. 

Saudi Arabia has only submitted one NDC back in 2015 and is deemed to submit the second NDC in preparation for Glasgow’s COP27.  Therefore, this analysis report has been prepared to shed light on the efforts being made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards the planning and implementation of its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) under the UNFCCC. And provide a recommendation for policymakers for the involvement of women, youth, and civil society in climate action opening doors to new views and avenues on how to achieve ambitious climate targets while creating resilient and inclusive economic growth. 

2. Emissions

On 3 November 2016, Saudi Arabia approved the Paris Agreement, and its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) became its NDC. According to Climate Change Tracker, Saudi Arabia’s NDC aims to annually increase to 130 MtCO2e (132 MtCO2e in AR4 GWPs) by the year 2030. Saudi Arabia is intending to accomplish that through contributions that will co-benefit in diversifying its economy and lessen greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. [2] 

As in all countries, the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic crisis had a profound impact on Saudi Arabia. However, due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is highly expected that Saudi Arabia’s GHG emissions in 2020 to be 3% to 6% lower than in 2019. [3] 

Saudi Arabia’s climate commitment including emissions estimates is perceived by many countries globally as unclear and that is due to the lack of available data. In addition, Saudi Arabia has not published any data about the baseline in correspond to the Paris Agreement target. However, Saudi Arabia has already started many initiatives and projects to achieve its target of reducing its emissions. There are many recent developments that took place in 2019 by the Saudi government. Saudi Arabia has raised its renewable energy target from 9.5 GW in 2023 to 58.7 GW by 2030. Although the progress that has been made is so slow, Saudi Arabia is moving forward with the second round of their National Renewable Energy Program to procure 1.47 GW of renewable capacity. In addition to that, in July 2020, Saudi Arabia has announced its plan to develop the largest green hydrogen plant in NEOM. This project which is a USD 5bn plant is a Saudi-US joint venture powered by 4 GW of wind and solar. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors said:

“I present to you THE LINE, a city of a million residents with a length of 170 km that preserves 95% of nature within NEOM, with zero cars, zero streets, and zero carbon emissions.” [4]

Moreover, Saudi Arabia has launched the national program of circular carbon economy (CCE) that should establish and accelerate the current momentum toward sustainability. Saudi Arabia is encouraging the CCE framework, as it will help in managing the carbon emissions in a comprehensive and cohesive manner which as a result will alleviate the impacts of climate challenges. In addition, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research center (KAPSARC), has started The Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Index project seeks to expand and add objectivity to the conceptual basis of the concept of CCE. According to (KAPSARC), the CCE index has two main functions; the first function is proposed to enable additional discussions around ways to identify, measure and compare the strengths and weaknesses of countries in terms of the CCE. Also, the index will help determine the areas where progress is already happening and if there is a need for any policy efforts. The second function of the index is to encourage the understanding of the CCE concept in managing emissions across energy systems and economies and to achieving carbon circularity. [5]  

Saudi Arabia is aware of the international community’s concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and the increased demand for energy.  As a result, Saudi Arabia is supportive of all international efforts in reducing global emissions through promoting technological solutions that support its development objectives. 

3. Gender

Saudi Arabia’s INDC published in 2015 does not explicitly mention gender-related considerations linked to climate change. The INDC refers to economic diversification and SDG implementation as the key enabling strategy to achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. The question then, is how Saudi Arabia's economic diversification policy and SDG strategies include gender-based participation in climate action? 

One year after Saudi Arabia issued their INDC, the country announced its economic diversification plan, Vision 2030, which includes climate change-related measures and outlines several initiatives and policies. In the 1st Voluntary National Review Kingdom of Saudi Arabia report in 2018 [6], a harmonized report on SDGs progress in light of Vision 2030, none of the policies reported under SDG 13 is directly targeting women or indirectly prioritizing gender equity.

This comes while the international community has highlighted women as both vulnerable to climate change and effective actors and agents of change in relation to mitigation and adaptation efforts. In the SDG goals indicators for SDG 13 [7], it explicitly mentions the inclusiveness and focuses on women in the mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management under an indicator (13.b) [8]. Nevertheless, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicators Report in 2020 by Saudi Arabia doesn't report on that specific indicator measurement (13.b).  studies have shown that the inclusion of girls’ rights in national climate strategies can have mutual benefits for both climate action and gender equality [11].

Saudi Arabia has yet to recognize the disproportionate vulnerability of women due to socio-cultural structures and the importance of empowering women to access resources and information and be part of decision-making processes.  Gender justice and equity should be prioritized more in the NDC reflecting initiatives to cultivate resilience in women and vulnerability-reduction, employment of women in mitigation and adaptation roles, and integrating gender analysis and gender equality indicators into programs and projects of economic diversification.

Women in Saudi Arabia account for 49.6% of the total Saudi population with a wide disparity in economic participation where women represent only 19% of the workforce. Moreover, Saudi Arabia shows very low rates of women’s participation in environment-related technology collaboration and cross-border research collaboration on green technology [9]. Given the focus in the country’s response measures on technology and research for economic growth, climate change action can utilize the untapped talents to work in the country’s targeted mitigation and adaptation sectors, energy efficiency, renewable energy source, carbon technologies, water and wastewater management, urban planning protection of marine ecosystems, coastal area integrated management plans, desertification control, and early warning systems. Saudi Arabia’s climate policy needs to address girls’ education and prioritizes their access to information and equal opportunities in the climate sphere. 

4. Youth

Saudi Arabia is passing through a unique demographic period. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has confirmed in its latest statistical report, which was released for the World Youth Day 2020 titled "Saudi Youth Report in Numbers”, that young Saudis of the age group (15-34 years) represent 36.7% of the total Saudi population; most young males in the age group (20-24 years) represent 27.6%. on the other hand, the percentage of young females in the age groups (20-24 years) and (25-29 years) is 26.2%. The percentage of children and youth in the Saudi population in 2020 represents 67% [10].

Based on the latest statics share, the future of national development in the Kingdom hinges on empowering its youthful majority. Youth in Saudi Arabia are yearning for an active role in national decision-making whilst challenging outdated norms and traditions. Young Saudis are aware that this generation is embracing the rapid pace of societal transformation as an opportunity to rise above past repression. The Kingdom has made tremendous efforts to empower youth through programs and projects of national transformation initiatives, increasing their participation in society and the labor market. However, Saudi Arabia is facing many challenges that it needs to tackle regarding youth empowerment and involvement in decision-making. Many young Saudis have shown an increasing interest in environmental sustainability, and many are championing this cause through creating businesses or promoting environmental awareness through community activities or campaigns. In a recent development, Saudi youth have been profoundly involved in the lead-up to Saudi G20 Summit. Hence, youth have been the major beneficiaries of the chance for open dialogue and inclusive policymaking. Yet, Saudi Arabia is still lacking the involvement of youth in the policymaking process on a national level and specifically on the climate change agenda. 

5. Climate Justice and Civil Society Inclusion

At the time of Saudi Arabia’s INDC preparation, it was hard to ascertain the role civil society played in the creation and implementation of the NDC. Additionally, no process can be located for the public, non-profit organizations, youth, and women’s groups to provide input on the INDC. Today, there are only 15 registered non-profit organizations relating to the environment in Saudi Arabia accounting for 1.7% of total registered non-profit organizations. Such a low rate of interest and civic engagement in the environment and climate is alarming. Civil society holds a significant responsibility in addressing cross-sectoral climate issues from a grassroots level and direct action that can push the needle on climate justice. 

The Paris Agreement recognizes climate justice and emphasizes the moral obligation of developed countries to lead the way in emissions reductions and the need for support to developing countries “the common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” for the countries. Saudi Arabia is still a developing country and requires support from developed countries to achieve ambitious targets. However, Saudi Arabia has a responsibility to internally recognize climate injustices through assessing the disproportionate distribution of resources and structural power imbalances. Moreover, the designed policies should move away from the technical / system-centered approach to a human-centered approach that revolved around equity and the service of humans and the planet.

6. Recommendations

• Saudi Arabia has shown its huge efforts to ensure its contribution to the protection of its environment and resources. However, it should adopt good practices to ensure clarity, transparency, and understanding of its NDC Update to comply with the Paris Agreement. Saudi Arabia must provide quantified information on how it will account for its NDC.

• Saudi Arabia’s climate commitment including emissions estimates is perceived by many countries globally as unclear and that is due to the lack of available data. Saudi Arabia has no published data about its targets, adaptation, and mitigation policies. Hence, it will need to scale up climate action to meet the more ambitious end of its national targets.

• Civil society, particularly women and youth advocates has an important role to play in holding Saudi Arabia accountable to its NDC commitments. Platforms are yet to be established to empower the community to take the lead in climate action and inclusion at every stage of the climate action process, including planning and implementation.

• Although the Paris Agreement highlights the significance of inclusiveness of gender equality, women empowerment, and intergenerational equity, Saudi Arabia has not translated into its NDC or country-level climate policies. Policies to empower women’s climate education and access to information are key to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity and ensuring full participation in climate action. 

7. References

• [1] https://www.my.gov.sa/wps/portal/snp/aboutksa/environmentalProtection#header2_0

• [2][3] https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/saudi-arabia/pledges-and-targets/

• [4] https://www.kapsarc.org/research/projects/the-circular-carbon-economy-index/

• [5] https://www.neom.com/en-us/whatistheline?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2195_AO_RPL_Search_Clicks_SA_cpc_Text_T1_EN_27Apr21_30Nov21_3242_T1&utm_content=brand&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YPvkSHx4iRulG08uLmgltVz_BJFbH1H13aH8bLmXOl270rgWolBhwxoCbzwQAvD_BwE

• [6] https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/20230SDGs_English_Report972018_FINAL.pdf

• [7] https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/indicators/Global%20Indicator%20Framework%20after%202021%20refinement_Eng.pdf

• [8] https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%20%28SDGs%29%20Indicators%20Report%20En.pdf 

• [9] https://www.oecd.org/environment/brochure-gender-and-environmental-statistics.pdf 

• [10] https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/saudi_youth_in_numbers_report_2020en.pdf

• [11] https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Girls-ed-in-climate-strategies-working-paper-FINAL.pdf