Abdulaziz bin Salman: Saudi Arabia Has Adopted Circular Carbon Economy Since 2019

The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Abdulaziz bin Salman: Saudi Arabia Has Adopted Circular Carbon Economy Since 2019

The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that the Kingdom was focusing on transforming energy management methods into economically valuable and environmentally beneficial systems, in line with climate change initiatives.

He added that Saudi Arabia has adopted the circular carbon economy model since 2019, a concept further endorsed during its G20 presidency in 2020.

Speaking during a session entitled, “Advancing Carbon Capture and Utilization Innovations through Global Partnerships”, on the sidelines of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, the Saudi minister noted that electricity production in the Kingdom is provided at the lowest cost and at competitive prices.

He stressed that the government has a number of programs and projects that are aimed at reducing costs and maintaining competitiveness in electricity production.

This not only attracts investment but also emphasizes the Kingdom’s commitment to energy security and sustainability, he remarked.

According to Prince Abdulaziz, the Saudi government is committed to achieving energy security and sustainability. He pointed to the Energy Efficiency Program launched in 2011, highlighting its unique position in realizing the state’s targets and advancing the circular carbon economy.

The minister discussed the potential benefits of carbon dioxide sinking, which could produce more carbonates and foster recycling applications, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative and aiding climate change mitigation efforts.

He added that maintaining competitive prices will attract more investments into electricity and energy production in the Kingdom, noting that Saudi Arabia aims to determine the pace of the energy industry’s transition based on a future system supported by renewable energy sources.



Gold Hits Four-week Peak on Safe-haven Demand

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
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Gold Hits Four-week Peak on Safe-haven Demand

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk

Gold prices rose to a near four-week high on Thursday, supported by safe-haven demand, while investors weighed how US President-elect Donald Trump's policies would impact the economy and inflation.

Spot gold inched up 0.4% to $2,672.18 per ounce, as of 0918 a.m. ET (1418 GMT). US gold futures rose 0.7% to $2,691.80.

"Safe-haven demand is modestly supporting gold, offsetting downside pressure coming from a stronger dollar and higher rates," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

The dollar index hovered near a one-week high, making gold less appealing for holders of other currencies, while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield stayed near eight-month peaks, Reuters reported.

"Market uncertainty is likely to persist with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the next US president," Staunovo said.

Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump will take office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs could potentially ignite trade wars and inflation. In such a scenario, gold, considered a hedge against inflation, is likely to perform well.

Investors' focus now shifts to Friday's US nonfarm payrolls due at 08:30 a.m. ET for further clarity on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path.

Non-farm payrolls likely rose by 160,000 jobs in December after surging by 227,000 in November, a Reuters survey showed.

Gold hit a near four-week high on Wednesday after a weaker-than-expected US private employment report hinted that the Fed may be less cautious about easing rates this year.

However, minutes of the Fed's December policy meeting showed officials' concern that Trump's proposed tariffs and immigration policies may prolong the fight against rising prices.

High rates reduce the non-yielding asset's appeal.

The World Gold Council on Wednesday said physically-backed gold exchange-traded funds registered their first inflow in four years.

Spot silver rose 0.7% to $30.32 per ounce, platinum fell 0.8% to $948.55 and palladium shed 1.4% to $915.75.