In advance of the November 30 – December 11, 2015 World Climate Summit in Paris, France, Saudi Arabia has submitted a plan to reduce it’s expected output of carbon emissions by 130 million tons by 2030.
Reuters and Al-Arabiya reported that Saudi Arabia was the last of the Group of 20 major economies to submit a plan. About 160 countries have provided national plans, “meant to combat heatwaves, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.” Saudi Arabia’s submission is regarded as a positive sign for the World Climate Summit’s prospects.
Saudi Arabia’s “intended nationally determined contributions” were based on continued diversification of the economy leading to expansion of lower emission sectors such as, “financial services, medical services, tourism, education, renewable energy and energy efficiency technology.”
Saudi Arabia is also preparing to invest heavily in renewable resources including solar, wind and geothermal as well as developing plans for a number of nuclear power plants.
While Saudi Arabia said it has the right to update its plan, the Kingdom’s long-term economic priorities – diversification, expansion of its non-oil sector, increased renewables, growth of service and knowledge sectors – are all consistent with a smaller carbon footprint.
