RIYADH — Saudi Arabia jumped to the third position among the G20 countries in reducing carbon emissions from fuel consumption, according to an analysis issued by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). The analysis confirmed the Kingdom's success in bringing down carbon emissions by about 4.4 percent or 26 million tons in 2018, reaching 553 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2018, compared to 579 million tons in 2017. The analysis is based on the indexes supplied by Enerdata, an independent information and consulting firm specialized in the global energy and carbon markets. The previous estimates indicated a decline of only 2.4 percent, equivalent to 15 million tons. The analysis of KAPSARC was published on the sidelines of the Davos Forum to address climate change, with an exclusive session on how to preserve the planet. The latest analysis of the Center indicates that the Kingdom's position leapt from fourth to third as the fastest G20 country cutting emissions from fuel consumption, as it came after Brazil and France, ahead of Germany and Japan, which topped the list of five countries in reducing carbon emissions. KAPSARC's analysis indicated that the rate of improvement of energy intensity in the Kingdom's economy was 5.5 percent in 2018, while the global average was only 1.2 percent. According to Dr. Alessandro Lanza, a researcher at the Center, this decrease in energy density was responsible for 81 percent of emission reduction. For his part, Dr. Nicholas Howarth, another researcher at KAPSARC, said that this decline coincides with Saudi Arabia's hosting of the G20 Summit where climate change is taking precedence over the priorities of the group's agenda, which gives the Kingdom an opportunity to show its pioneering role in this issue. Thamer Al-Shehri, another researcher, indicated that there are three factors that have contributed to the state bringing down carbon emissions. These included reduction in diesel and fuel consumption by consumers as well as success in preventing illegal fuel smuggling. There has been a decrease in carbon emissions from the transport sector by more than 10 million tons, due to the decrease in emissions related to diesel consumption by 43 percent or the equivalent of 19 million tons of carbon dioxide, which reached 24.5 million tons in 2018 from 43.5 million tons in 2017. The Riyadh-based KAPSARC, which began its activities in 2010, is as an independent, non-profit think tank that focuses on research in energy economics, policy, technology, and the environment. Its research areas include global energy markets and economics, energy efficiency and productivity, energy and environmental technologies, and carbon management. The organization has a multi-national research team.
