Saudi Arabia
Battle lines drawn in talks on new plastics treaty
US and Saudi Arabia want a bottom-up deal focused on recycling, while a “high ambition coalition” wants top-down curbs on plastic production
Saudi Arabia’s senior negotiator Ayman Shasly steps back from climate talks
Chair of the Arab group for a decade, Shasly is absent from interim climate talks in Bonn and is being replaced by Albara Tawfiq
Saudi Arabia dilutes fossil fuel phase out language with techno fixes in IPCC report
The Kingdom pushed for a stronger emphasis on carbon capture and storage as a climate solution that keeps the oil industry alive longer
Saudi energy minister touts pink hydrogen made by “emancipated young ladies”
Saudi Arabia wants to become a leading exporter of hydrogen from both clean and dirty sources as part of an economic diversification plan
Saudi Arabia pledges net zero by 2060, but no oil exit plan
Riyadh will invest $187 billion in climate action by 2030 but keep pumping oil and gas for decades, under a plan submitted to the UN
Saudi Arabia aims for 50% renewable energy by 2030, backs huge tree planting initiative
The target will require huge investments in solar technologies, experts warn, as less than 1% of the oil producing nation’s energy comes from renewables
Saudi-led G20 energy statement backs fossil fuel bailouts
Neglecting to mention climate change or commitments to end fossil fuel subsidies, G20 energy ministers focused on stabilising the oil market
Covid-hit hajj guts Saudi plans to reduce reliance on oil revenues
Only a few thousand Muslims are attending this year’s pilgrimage, not the millions Riyadh needs for its ‘Vision 2030’ economic diversification plan
Saudi Arabia censors fossil fuel subsidy discussion as G20 host
Riyadh is scrubbing the word “subsidy” from expert briefings, despite a commitment from G20 countries to phase out “inefficient” support to coal, oil and gas
Saudi Aramco says climate lawsuits ‘could result in substantial costs’
The world’s largest oil producer made more money than Apple and Alphabet combined last year, but the company sees litigation and clean tech as threats
UK is in no position to lecture Saudis on oil dependence
PM Theresa May has offered to help wean Saudi Arabia off oil, but her government’s subsidies to North Sea producers are a poor model for the Middle East petrostate
Maldives president defends Saudi atoll deal, but reveals no detail
Maldives “should be afforded the ability to expand our economy” says president in response to criticism of a US$10bn development deal with Saudi Arabia
Saudis make Maldives land grab to secure oil routes to China
Proposed multi-billion dollar deal sparks protests in the tiny atoll nation, which has found itself at the centre of a great game over oil, power and religion
Saudi oil chief hails Trump’s ‘realistic’ energy plans
Khalid Al-Falih welcomes new president’s pro-fossil fuel approach, rejects suggestion US will quit Paris climate agreement
Saudi Aramco planning $5 billion clean energy binge
As low oil prices eat into country’s $600 billion sovereign wealth fund, state energy giant starts work on radical transition towards renewables
Saudi $50 billion clean power plan close to launch
Minister says private sector will be encouraged to bid for major clean energy investment programmes as country moves to diversify economy
Can Saudi Arabia’s regime survive in a greener world?
The race is on for Saudi Arabia to find new sources of income before the oil age peters out
Saudi Arabia working on plan to boost climate target
World’s top petroleum exporter not deterred by incoming Trump presidency; says it will explore new ways to cut carbon emissions
Paris climate deal will not kill fossil fuels, says ex-Saudi oil chief
Influential former oil and climate envoy says solar is the future but predicts strong growth prospects for oil and gas sector, despite climate policies
Saudi Arabia to ratify Paris climate deal before Marrakech talks
Petropower will join historic pact ahead of further climate negotiations next week, says minister Khalid Al-Falih