The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a global agreement that aims to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It is a legally binding agreement signed by 196 countries, including Saudi Arabia. However, there have been concerns raised about Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the agreement.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest oil producers and relies heavily on the oil industry for its economy. This has led to criticism that the country may not be fully committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is a key objective of the Paris Agreement.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia was among a group of countries that blocked the inclusion of a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the UN’s annual climate talks. The report warned of the dangers of exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold and urged countries to take more ambitious action to reduce emissions.
Saudi Arabia’s stance on climate change has also been criticized by environmental organizations. For example, the Climate Action Tracker, which monitors countries’ progress on reducing emissions, currently rates Saudi Arabia’s climate policies as “critically insufficient” – the lowest rating possible.
Despite these concerns, Saudi Arabia has taken some steps towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, the country unveiled its Vision 2030 plan, which includes targets to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix and reduce its reliance on oil.
However, it remains to be seen whether these targets will be sufficient to meet the country’s obligations under the Paris Agreement. Saudi Arabia has yet to submit a new, more ambitious climate pledge to the UN, which is required under the agreement.
In summary, while Saudi Arabia has signaled its support of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions continues to be subject to scrutiny. As a major oil producer, the country faces a difficult balancing act between reducing emissions and maintaining its economy. Only time will tell whether Saudi Arabia will be able to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement and take the necessary steps to combat climate change.
