Saudi Arabia Launches Greenhouse Gas Crediting and Offsetting Mechanism to Advance Global Climate Goals 

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during the opening Ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 8, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during the opening Ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 8, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Greenhouse Gas Crediting and Offsetting Mechanism to Advance Global Climate Goals 

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during the opening Ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 8, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during the opening Ceremony of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 8, 2023. (Reuters)

The Clean Development Mechanism Designated National Authority (CDMDNA) announced on Monday the launch of Saudi Arabia's domestic market mechanism, Greenhouse Gas Crediting and Offsetting Mechanism (GCOM), at MENA Climate Week 2023 that is underway in Riyadh.

The step reflects the Kingdom’s leading role in the region in addressing climate challenges and enabling institutions to tackle their emissions.

It is also part of the Kingdom’s efforts to reduce the impact of climate change, under the directions of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, realizing the environmental sustainability objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The announcement on GCOM is an implementation of the domestic market mechanism announced by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at the Saudi Green Initiative held during COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022.

GCOM will be accessible to all entities within the Kingdom, offering an incentive for developing activities in emissions reduction and removal to reach the Kingdom’s ambitious Net-Zero target by 2060.

Abdullah AlSarhan, Secretary General of the Designated National General, said: “We are proud to advance the Kingdom’s climate ambitions through the launch of the Greenhouse Gas Crediting and Offsetting Mechanism.”

“GCOM will enable entities across the Kingdom to meet their goals to reduce and remove emissions, ensuring collective action in our journey towards a sustainable and low-emission future,” he added.

GCOM's approach is both comprehensive and inclusive, allowing entities within the Kingdom to benefit from its domestic market mechanism for emissions management.

In alignment with the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCOM will support achieving the Saudi Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), unlocking a myriad of financial opportunities among national entities striving to meet their climate objectives.



IMF Grants Egypt Initial Approval of $1.2 Bln Fourth Review

Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
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IMF Grants Egypt Initial Approval of $1.2 Bln Fourth Review

Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)
Santa Claus toys are displayed in a shop with Christmas decorations in Cairo, Egypt, December 23, 2024. (Reuters)

The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday it reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt on the fourth review under its Extended Fund Facility arrangement, potentially unlocking a $1.2 billion disbursement under the program.

Egypt, grappling with high inflation and shortages of foreign currency, agreed to the $8 billion, 46-month facility in March. A sharp decline in Suez Canal revenue caused by regional tensions over the last year compounded its economic woes.

The IMF said Egypt's government had agreed to increase its tax-to-revenue ratio by 2% of gross domestic product over the next two years, with a focus on eliminating exemptions rather than increasing taxes.

This would give it space to increase social spending to help vulnerable groups, the IMF said in a statement.

"While the authorities' plans to streamline and simplify the tax system are commendable, further reforms will be needed to enhance domestic revenue mobilization efforts," the statement said.

Egypt had agreed to make more decisive efforts to ensure the private sector became the main engine of growth and to sustain its commitment to a flexible exchange rate, the IMF statement added.

The staff-level agreement of the fourth review must still be approved by the IMF's executive board.