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.



Saudi Energy Minister Inaugurates New Factories to Enhance Localization of Sector

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman during his tour to several factories specialized in producing components for the sector in the Riyadh Industrial City on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman during his tour to several factories specialized in producing components for the sector in the Riyadh Industrial City on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Energy Minister Inaugurates New Factories to Enhance Localization of Sector

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman during his tour to several factories specialized in producing components for the sector in the Riyadh Industrial City on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman during his tour to several factories specialized in producing components for the sector in the Riyadh Industrial City on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman inaugurated on Wednesday two new factories specialized in energy and toured several factories specialized in producing components for the sector in the Riyadh Industrial City.

He was accompanied by Minister of State Hamad Al-Sheikh and Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef.

The tour comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts to enhance localization in the energy sector, which aims to achieve a localization rate of 75% in the components of the sector by 2030.

The ministers and a number of senior officials were briefed on the progress of production of energy equipment and electrical panels for connection, control, automation and distribution, and factories for smart ring linking units for electrical stations.

The tour of Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman included the factories of Al-Gihaz Holding Company, such as the new factory specialized in energy equipment and electrical panels, with a production capacity of 25,000 units annually.

The minister was briefed on three of the main production lines located in one area, and watched a visual presentation of the rest of the lines and the high-quality production process of energy equipment and electrical panels for connection, control, automation and distribution.

The new factory is considered a cornerstone of the company's projects in the lines of engineering, design and automation of electricity network systems, in addition to manufacturing control panels and current and voltage conversion equipment.

A total of 500 engineers and employees, including 100 Saudi female employees are working in the factory.

It has plans to double the current production capacity in line with Saudi Vision 2030, and within the energy sector's targets to achieve a 75% localization rate in the components of the sector by 2030.

The Minister also visited Alfanar factories, where he was briefed on the production processes and advanced technologies used in them.

He also heard a detailed presentation on the company's work in the field of technology ownership and industry localization, and its effective role in increasing local content and strengthening the national economy.

During his visit to Alfanar, the Minister inaugurated the smart ring-connection units factory, free of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which is the first factory of its kind in the Middle East, where more than 700 Saudi female employees work. It represents a qualitative shift in the use of green technology and contributes to reducing the Kingdom's carbon footprint.

The research and development team at Alfanar gave a presentation on the stages of progress made in green technology for medium voltage, and the achievements that enhance the company's position as a pioneer in innovation and technological development.

Prince Abdulaziz was also briefed on the company's efforts in renewable energy projects (wind and solar), the sustainable aviation fuel facility, carbon capture and storage technologies and green hydrogen.

The company's advanced technological capabilities were also reviewed, which enable it to provide sustainable and advanced solutions for energy distribution.