Despite Saudi Arabia’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change, its behavior during the on-going climate negotiations in Paris is not only lacking in leadership, but actively slowing the process to the detriment of vulnerable nations, according to an IndyACT advert that appeared in the Financial Times today.
“The climate summit in Paris presents our leaders with the opportunity to take critical action, such as creating detailed national energy plans that facilitate a fast transition to a full decarbonization of the energy system by 2050. However Saudi Arabia is doing its best to stop this from happening, and it is dragging the whole region behind it,” said Safa’ al Jayoussi, Head of climate campaign at IndyACT & CAN Arab World Coordinator.
Global civil society and countries vulnerable to climate change are demanding that the Paris agreement, expected at the end of this week, includes a long-term goal for greenhouse gas emissions phase out, such as full decarbonization by 2050. Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries opposing this idea.
“It is not only about climate change, but it is in the economic interest of Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy, and reduce its dependence on the fossil fuel trade,” added Safa’ al Jayoussi. “Any shock in the energy market, such as the current low oil prices, will heavily impact the Saudi’s economy. Saudi Arabia needs to use the opportunity of a climate agreement to transition with the rest of the world into an economy that does not depend on fossil fuels.”
The MENA region showed its political ambition in terms of climate leadership via the Islamic Climate Declaration from August this year which saw Islamic leaders from across 20 countries urging the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims to make climate change a priority issue, and calling for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels in favor of a 100 percent renewable future.
