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Saudi Arabia Accelerates Shift to Modern Transport for Carbon Emission Reduction

Saudi Arabia is driving a major shift in the transportation sector to address the rising challenges of climate change. (AFP)
Saudi Arabia is driving a major shift in the transportation sector to address the rising challenges of climate change. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Accelerates Shift to Modern Transport for Carbon Emission Reduction

Saudi Arabia is driving a major shift in the transportation sector to address the rising challenges of climate change. (AFP)
Saudi Arabia is driving a major shift in the transportation sector to address the rising challenges of climate change. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia is driving a major shift in the transportation sector to address the rising challenges of climate change.

The Kingdom’s plans in this area are crucial to the global effort to reduce carbon emissions by 4%, focusing on exploring modern transportation alternatives.

Experts in energy and logistics applaud Saudi Arabia for proactively aligning with global climate change trends.

The country has been a pioneer in reducing the environmental impact of traditional fuel-based transportation, leading international efforts in developing the hydrogen industry and the launch of the Green Saudi and Green Middle East eco-friendly initiatives.

Efforts to cut fuel consumption in transportation face significant challenges, and Saudi Arabia is emphasizing diverse solutions that benefit the global economy without harming fuel-producing nations.

According to research from the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, sustained policies to improve efficiency could reduce the Kingdom’s annual transportation emissions growth from 7% to 3% by 2030.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Dr. Mohammed Suroor Al-Sabban, former Chief Advisor of the Saudi Ministry of Energy, stressed that while the shift to alternatives like electric vehicles is positive, it cannot completely replace traditional fuel or oil in transportation, especially in aviation and maritime sectors.

He highlighted the need for varied efforts that benefit both the global economy and the climate and avoiding a narrow position that damages fossil fuel and oil-producing economies.

Al-Sabban underlined Saudi Arabia’s leadership in climate change initiatives, actively participating in the development of renewable energy sources and carbon removal from oil.

The country continues to lead international efforts in hydrogen industry development and environmental projects, contributing to global climate change solutions.

He also noted that some Western concerns about climate change are exaggerated, aiming to minimize global oil consumption.

However, Al-Sabban emphasized that the consumption will persist for many decades, as fossil fuels still make up 80% of the world’s total energy use.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.