This Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to contributing to the objectives of the UNFCCC and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, while taking into account the challenges posed by its national circumstances as a developing country, including desertification, water scarcity, and sandstorms. In pursuing these objectives, the Kingdom seeks to maximize long-term national benefits, minimize potential adverse impacts, and ensure that climate action is aligned with its national priorities and sustainable development objectives, as reflected throughout this NDC. The ambitions outlined in this NDC are underpinned by sustained economic growth and diversification, including continued hydrocarbon export revenues, and build on the achievements of Vision 2030 and the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) approach. The Kingdom is implementing comprehensive measures to advance climate action and economic growth. The NDC establishes two dynamic baseline scenarios for 2030–2040. Scenario 1 assumes continued economic diversification, with hydrocarbon export revenues supporting growth in high-value sectors such as financial and medical services, tourism, education, renewable energy, and energy efficiency; the NDC’s ambitions are based on this scenario. Scenario 2 assumes accelerated domestic industrialization through greater use of hydrocarbons as feedstock and energy, supported by emissions-abatement technologies and growth in industries such as petrochemicals, cement, mining, and metals. The key distinction is whether hydrocarbons are exported or consumed domestically, as domestic use would increase national GHG emissions. Chapter 5 outlines a comprehensive package of measures structured around economic diversification with mitigation co-benefits and climate adaptation. Saudi Arabia plans to improve energy efficiency across industry, transport, buildings, utilities, power generation and desalination through regulatory frameworks, smart technologies, retrofitting programs and energy service companies. It aims to expand renewable energy generation through solar, wind, battery storage and other technologies while strengthening grid stability and localizing renewable energy industries. The chapter also promotes large-scale deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), including industrial carbon hubs, cleaner and more efficient thermal power generation based on natural gas, lower-carbon aviation fuel production, the development of clean hydrogen projects, and extensive methane management measures in the energy, waste, wastewater and agricultural sectors. Adaptation measures with mitigation co-benefits focus on sustainable water and wastewater management through renewable-powered desalination, water reuse, leak reduction, efficient irrigation and long-term water planning; marine protection through mangrove restoration, coral reef rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation; afforestation and land restoration to combat desertification, increase vegetation cover and enhance carbon sequestration; and urban planning initiatives that improve public transport, waste management, resource efficiency and sustainable municipal services. In addition, stand-alone adaptation measures include early warning systems for extreme weather events, integrated water management based on risk assessment, groundwater recharge, dam expansion and regulatory oversight, climate-resilient infrastructure and city design guided by green building standards, and marine conservation actions aimed at expanding protected coastal areas, restoring habitats and strengthening regional cooperation to protect marine ecosystems and reduce climate-related risks. The implementation of the NDC will be supported by investments, including international investment, in the solutions and technologies required to achieve the Kingdom’s national pathways. A technology-agnostic approach will enable the Kingdom to adopt and scale appropriate technological advancements, supported by continued investment, international cooperation, and technology transfer. International cooperation under Article 6.2 and Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement will also contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s climate objectives. Implementation will be further supported by a holistic approach to national capacity building, taking into account the country’s predominantly young population and its commitment to increasing women’s participation in the workforce. At the institutional level, the Designated National Authority (DNA) provides a robust framework for implementation by serving as the focal point for UNFCCC and Paris Agreement reporting requirements and by overseeing, coordinating, and tracking progress towards the Kingdom’s NDCs.
Arabia Saudita · 2025-01-01