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Saudi Arabia’s carbon credit market leadership paving way for regional unity

The Kingdom aims to achieve a carbon capture capacity of 44 million tons annually by 2025, enhancing its ability to offset emissions and solidify its position as a high-quality carbon credit provider. (Supplied)
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Updated 26 January 2025
Miguel Hadchity
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Saudi Arabia’s carbon credit market leadership paving way for regional unity

  • Kingdom’s investments in renewable energy and advanced carbon capture technologies are growing
Updated 26 January 2025
Miguel Hadchity

RIYADH: A unified regional carbon market is increasingly likely as Saudi Arabia takes the lead in this growing area of sustainability, experts have told Arab News. 

Through Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s investments in renewable energy, advanced carbon capture technologies, and a regulated carbon credit market are growing, driving innovation in these areas.

At the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku on Nov. 12, Saudi Arabia launched its first carbon trading exchange — a platform that places the Kingdom at the forefront of the GCC in this field.

Managed by the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Co. — a joint initiative by the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Tadawul Group — the exchange underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainability and establishes a model of environmental responsibility for neighboring nations.

The inaugural auction on the exchange brought together 22 local and international companies offering 2.5 million high-quality carbon credits, certified by leading standards like Verra, Gold Standard, and Puro.earth. 

These credits largely originate from impactful projects across the Global South, including countries such as Bangladesh, Brazil, and Ethiopia.

The market, projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 32.2 percent and reach $3.27 billion by 2030, will also drive investment in carbon capture, storage, and emissions reduction. 

“Saudi Arabia is following a careful approach in setting up a carbon market and avoiding the mistakes made by the EU and other regions. Investing in voluntary carbon markets is a part of the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2060,” explained Arun Leslie John, chief market analyst at Century Financial. 




At the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, KSA launched its first carbon trading exchange. (Supplied)

He added: “By establishing a domestic exchange and regulated marketplace for carbon credits, Saudi Arabia is leading the way for local companies to mitigate reputational risk in an increasingly cleaner energy generating world along with generally boosting liquidity conditions.”

The RVCMC has auctioned high-quality credits supporting projects with measurable environmental impact, most notably through initiatives in Africa, where it sold over 1.4 million tons of carbon credits in its first carbon offset auction in 2022. 

Approximately 70 percent of these credits were allocated to climate projects across Africa, benefiting countries like Egypt, Mauritania, and South Africa.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to stringent standards and regulatory oversight in its carbon credit market is setting a benchmark for other GCC countries. Unlike other regional markets, the Kingdom prioritizes quality and transparency. 

“By developing standardized frameworks aligned with global benchmarks, the Kingdom can tackle the issue of lack of standardization, ensuring consistency and reliability across the market,” Louay Saleh, principal at Arthur D. Little, told Arab News.

Saleh added: “Saudi Arabia can ensure real impact and limit greenwashing by leveraging advanced technologies such as drones, satellite imaging, and AI. These tools can provide more accurate baselining and measurement throughout the project lifecycle, enhancing transparency and accountability”. 

This dedication to transparency strengthens Saudi Arabia’s carbon market and positions it as an attractive destination for international investors, encouraging other GCC nations to adopt similar standards.

Economic opportunities and new revenue streams

The carbon credit market offers substantial economic potential for Saudi Arabia. 

The energy sector, including companies like Aramco, is investing in carbon capture and storage technologies that allow them to generate tradable credits. 

Investing in voluntary carbon markets is a part of the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.

Arun Leslie John, chief market analyst at Century Financial

This potential extends beyond energy to other sectors, such as petrochemicals, aviation, and construction, which could reduce emissions through clean technologies and sell excess carbon credits. 

“Industries such as petrochemicals, aviation, construction, agriculture and tourism in Saudi Arabia are most likely to benefit from or contribute to the carbon credit market,” emphasized Saleh, highlighting the extensive opportunities for both new revenue and emission reductions across these sectors.

In parallel with the growth of its carbon credit market, Saudi Arabia has attracted substantial foreign investment through green finance incentives. Programs like the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, paired with green bond issuance, have provided essential funding for renewable energy and carbon capture projects. 

The Kingdom aims to achieve a carbon capture capacity of 44 million tons annually by 2025, enhancing its ability to offset emissions and solidify its position as a high-quality carbon credit provider.

A vision for regional cooperation and the unified GCC carbon market

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the carbon credit market is poised to significantly influence the GCC, as some regional countries are already reinforcing their market frameworks, suggesting the potential for a unified market. 

“The outlook for a unified GCC carbon credit market is promising, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman making significant steps forward in their respective carbon market infrastructures,” said Carlo Stella, managing partner and global head of sustainability practice at Arthur D. Little. 

“Regional cooperation is very likely to facilitate key aspects such as standardization of methodologies, cross-border trading mechanisms, and the development of a shared carbon registry system,” he added. 

By developing standardized frameworks, KSA can tackle the issue of lack of standardization, ensuring consistency across the market.

Louay Saleh, principal at Arthur D. Little

Through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s investments in renewable energy, advanced carbon capture technologies, and a regulated carbon credit market are positioning it as a leader in climate action within the GCC, demonstrating that economic growth and sustainability can go hand in hand. 

The Kingdom’s carbon credit initiatives are shaping not only its own future but also setting a model for the GCC to follow toward a more sustainable path. 

Poised to play a pivotal role in global sustainability, Saudi Arabia’s carbon credit market — driven by large-scale projects, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to transparency — is leading the GCC on a transformative journey toward climate-responsible economic development. 

Through these initiatives, the Kingdom is not only raising the bar for carbon markets but is also creating a blueprint for the region and beyond in green finance and environmental responsibility.

Topics: carbon credit Saudi Arabia

Pakistan may import crude oil from US to lower tariff burden — official

Updated 16 April 2025
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Pakistan may import crude oil from US to lower tariff burden — official

  • Countries are scrambling to find ways to lower US tariff burdens, which include buying more American oil
  • High-level Pakistani delegation is scheduled to travel to US to discuss American tariffs, trade imbalance
Updated 16 April 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Pakistan’s government is mulling “very good options” which range from importing crude oil from the United States (US) to abolishing tariffs on American imports, an official privy to the matter said on Wednesday, as Islamabad attempts to offset a trade imbalance that has triggered higher tariffs from Washington.
US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports to the US and higher duties on dozens of other countries. Pakistan faces a 29 percent tariff due to a trade surplus with the US of about $3.6 billion, although that is subject to the 90-day pause Trump announced last week.
The US is the largest buyer of Pakistan’s textile goods, importing goods worth $5.43 billion last year through June, according to State Bank of Pakistan. In return, cash-strapped Pakistan imported $1.88 billion worth of American goods, resulting in the trade imbalance.
Countries are scrambling to find ways to lower their US tariff burdens, and Pakistan is no different. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said last week Islamabad will send a high-level delegation to Washington to discuss the American tariffs.
“There have been talks of Pakistan potentially importing oil, soya been (oil) and cotton from the US. That’s already it,” an official who spoke to Arab News on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to media, said.
The finance ministry did not respond to Arab News’ request for a comment till the filing of this report.
The official said the Pakistani delegation will inquire about the expectations of the American government regarding trade, which could include abolishing duties or non-tariff barriers against US products.
“Or they may ask us to buy more cotton from them,” the official said. 
A senior official from Pakistan’s commerce ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity as well, said the discussions were at an “immature stage” and further meetings would be held to finalize them. 
“What decisions are taken, what we offer to them, all options are being examined,” he said. “Everything is on the cards but what is finalized, that cannot be said right now.”
Pakistan spends about $17 billion annually on oil imports, most of which come from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is also counted among the largest buyers of cotton, which it uses as raw material for its huge textile industry. Most of Pakistan’s cotton imports come from the US.
As per official data, Pakistan spent more than half a billion dollars ($578 million) last year on the import of 204,890 tons of raw cotton and 119,845 tons of soya bean oil after the local harvest was found to be in poor quality.
In 2023, Pakistan began buying discounted Russian crude oil banned from European markets due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Muhammad Waqas Ghani, head of research at the Karachi-based JS Global Capital Ltd., said Pakistan faces limitations in diversifying its product slate when it comes to Russian crude oil.
He said this was because Russian crude oil yields a higher output of furnace oil. a less desirable fuel in the country’s evolving energy mix. 
“Importing US crude could offer access to a wider range of crude grades, better aligned with Pakistan’s long-term goal of phasing out furnace oil,” Ghani explained. “This move would also open doors for improved trade terms and potentially pave the way for tariff relief which is our primary objective for now.”
‘OTHER VERY GOOD OPTIONS’
Pakistan’s cotton production has been hit hard by low quality of seeds and climate-induced calamities such as floods caused by excessive rains.
“Apart from that (US oil import) there are other very good options which are being discussed,” the official said. 
However, he confirmed that none of these options had been finalized yet as the delegation would want to meet the American officials and gauge Washington’s expectations.
“Let’s listen to them first,” he said. 
Pakistan’s financial experts and independent think tanks have advised Islamabad to establish trade agreements with emerging economies such as Africa or the Central Asian Republics (CARs) or reinforce existing partnerships with China or the Middle East. 
Financial experts have also called upon the country to use America’s imposition of tariffs as an opportunity and diversity its exports market to other regions to mitigate potential losses.

Topics: Pakistan US Ties Pakistan economy Pakistan oil refinery US tariffs Trump tariffs

Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges up 0.15% to close at 11,634

Updated 16 April 2025
Nadin Hassan
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges up 0.15% to close at 11,634

Updated 16 April 2025
Nadin Hassan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed Wednesday’s trading session in positive territory, rising 17.61 points to reach 11,634.42, an increase of 0.15 percent.

The total trading turnover on the main index stood at SR5.79 billion ($1.54 billion), with 109 stocks advancing while 131 declined.

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also posted gains, climbing 6.2 points, or 0.42 percent, to end the day at 1,479.9.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, recorded a slight dip, falling 57.73 points—or 0.2 percent—to close at 29,083.57. Thirty stocks advanced on the parallel market, while 42 closed lower.

Lazurde Company for Jewelry led the gains on the main index with a sharp rise of 10 percent, closing at SR14.08. Saudi Industrial Export Co. followed, increasing 9.69 percent to SR2.49. Shares of Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia advanced 5.65 percent to SR13.08.

Saudi Real Estate Co. also recorded a notable uptick, with its shares climbing 4.88 percent to SR23.20, while Takween Advanced Industries Co. rose 4.78 percent to close at SR9.20.

On the other end of the spectrum, Al Mawarid Manpower Co. was the day’s worst performer on TASI, with its shares dropping 4.93 percent to SR142.60. City Cement Co. fell 4.56 percent to SR20.10, and Umm Al-Qura Cement Co. declined 3.96 percent to SR17.94.

On the Nomu market, Watani Iron Steel Co. emerged as the top gainer, with its share price climbing 7.14 percent to SR2.40. Hedab Alkhaleej Trading Co. and Knowledge Tower Trading Co. also performed well, with their shares increasing by 5.61 percent and 4.62 percent to close at SR43.30 and SR13.60, respectively.

Other notable gainers included Nofoth Food Products Co. and Knowledge Net Co.

On the losing side, Jana Medical Co. posted the steepest decline on Nomu, with shares dropping 8.53 percent to SR19.30. Almuneef Co. for Trade, Industry, Agriculture and Contracting fell 8.02 percent to SR7.45, while Horizon Educational Co. slipped 7.67 percent to SR83.

Topics: TASI NOMU MSCI stocks shares

Saudi Arabia sees 333% surge in private hospitality licenses amid tourism boom

Updated 16 April 2025
Reem Walid  
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Saudi Arabia sees 333% surge in private hospitality licenses amid tourism boom

Updated 16 April 2025
Reem Walid  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia issued 8,357 licenses for private hospitality facilities in 2024, marking a 333 percent year-on-year surge as the Kingdom ramps up efforts to build a globally competitive tourism sector. 

The latest data, released by the Ministry of Tourism, reflects soaring investor interest in the hospitality segment and the government’s push to expand capacity across accommodation types, particularly individually owned, furnished units licensed to serve paying guests, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

This surge in permits aligns with a nearly fourfold increase in tourism license applications since Saudi Arabia secured the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to Vice Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al-Saud, who made the remarks during an event earlier this month. 

As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to draw 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade and is investing heavily in mega-tourism and hospitality projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea destination, and Diriyah Gate. 

Mohammed Al-Rasasmah, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism, said that “the increasing growth in the number of licenses issued for private tourism hospitality facilities confirms the ministry's keenness to enable individual investors in the hospitality sector to obtain the necessary ministry license to operate, within the framework of the ministry's keenness to ensure the improvement of services provided,” the SPA reported. 

“He pointed out that these efforts come within the framework of the "Our Guests Are a Priority" campaign; which aims to enhance hospitality facilities' commitment to licensing and classification standards, and ensure their compliance with the requirements and requirements set by the Tourism System and its regulations,” it added.  

Earlier this month, the ministry reported an 89 percent increase in licensed hospitality facilities across Saudi Arabia, reaching 4,425 units by the end 2024. The rise reflects mounting demand from domestic and international travelers as the Kingdom accelerates tourism development under Vision 2030. 

Makkah accounted for 1,030 of these licensed facilities — an 80 percent annual jump — making it the leading region for the number of certified accommodations and rooms. The ministry said the uptick supports its commitment to improving the visitor experience, especially for Umrah pilgrims. 

In a post on X at the time, Al-Rasasimah described the surge as “remarkable,” adding that it reflects efforts “to support the sector’s growth and enhance its investment attractiveness.” 

The ministry emphasized that the regulation of private hospitality providers is not only intended to enhance competitiveness but also to protect guest rights and uphold service standards, particularly in high-demand areas like Makkah and Madinah. 

Topics: saudi tourism Travel 2034 FIFA World Cup

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GCC banks poised to weather global trade turbulence: S&P report

Updated 16 April 2025
Miguel Hadchity
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GCC banks poised to weather global trade turbulence: S&P report

Updated 16 April 2025
Miguel Hadchity

RIYADH: Despite rising global trade tensions and heightened market volatility, banks across the Gulf Cooperation Council are expected to remain resilient, according to a recent report by S&P Global Ratings.

In its analysis titled “GCC banks can cope with the fallout from intensifying trade tensions,” the ratings agency pointed to the region’s strong financial fundamentals as a key buffer against economic uncertainty stemming from evolving US tariff policies and global investor jitters.

S&P highlighted investor risk aversion and market volatility as the most immediate threats, but noted that Gulf banks are well-positioned to absorb potential shocks. “GCC banks appear to be in a good position to withstand these threats,” the report stated, citing robust liquidity levels, solid profitability, and healthy capitalization as major strengths.

While the direct impact of trade tensions on GCC economies is expected to be limited—due in part to their relatively low export exposure to the US — the report warned of more significant indirect effects. In particular, a sustained decline in oil prices could weigh on fiscal spending and economic sentiment across the region. S&P has revised its assumed oil price forecast for 2025 to $65 per barrel.

“A prolonged period of lower oil prices could lead to reduced government spending, dampen business confidence, and potentially trigger an uptick in non-performing loans,” the report noted.

To gauge the sector’s resilience, S&P conducted stress tests modeling severe scenarios, including sharp capital outflows and a surge in NPLs. Even under a worst-case scenario—where NPLs increase by 50 percent—the top 45 banks in the GCC would face cumulative losses of $30.3 billion, significantly lower than their combined projected net income of $60 billion in 2024.

The findings reinforce the region’s financial stability amid global economic headwinds, underlining the strength of its banking sector even in the face of mounting external pressures.

“Even in our worst-case scenario, we still expect the shock to affect banks’ profitability rather than their solvency,” the report noted.  

Qatari banks were identified as more vulnerable due to their net external debt position, but strong government support mitigates risks. In contrast, UAE banks exhibit the highest resilience, thanks to their robust net external asset position.  

The report also pointed to regulators’ proactive measures as a critical factor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, forbearance policies helped banks navigate uncertainty, and similar actions are expected if trade tensions escalate further.   

While challenges loom, GCC banks enter this period of uncertainty from a position of strength. “Banks continue to display strong capitalization, with an average Tier 1 capital ratio of 17.2 percent at year-end 2024,” S&P noted.

The combination of solid fundamentals and potential regulatory backstops suggests the sector is prepared to weather the storm. 

Topics: banking GCC tariffs war

Riyadh, Jakarta hold talks to strengthen ties in mining sector

Updated 16 April 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
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Riyadh, Jakarta hold talks to strengthen ties in mining sector

Updated 16 April 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are set to deepen as the Kingdom’s top minister visits Jakarta to explore investment opportunities and enhance cooperation in the mining and industrial sectors. 

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef is leading a high-level delegation to Indonesia from April 15 to 17, aiming to strengthen bilateral business relations and forge strategic partnerships across mining, food, pharmaceuticals, and auto parts industries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

This comes as the Kingdom aims to position mining as a foundational pillar of its industrial economy, with its mineral wealth estimated at SR9.4 trillion ($2.4 trillion). 

In a post on his X account, Alkhorayef said: “At the start of my visit to Indonesia, I met with the Special Presidential Envoy for Energy and Environmental Affairs to discuss cooperation in mining and explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral partnerships.”  

His meeting with Special Envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo focused on enhancing collaboration in the mining sector. The Indonesian official highlighted promising prospects in the production of strategic minerals, including nickel and copper, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Industry. 

Alkhorayef emphasized the alignment of Saudi-Indonesian priorities, citing the mining sector’s key role in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification under Vision 2030. 

The Saudi minister also held a meeting with Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir.

“During the two meetings, we discussed ways to enhance industrial cooperation and expand partnerships between private sector entities in the two countries, in addition to reviewing investment opportunities and the Kingdom’s goals to become an industrial and logistics hub in the region.” Alkhorayef said.

As part of his trip, Alkhorayef also visited PT Vale Indonesia Tbk and Mining Industry Indonesia, or MIND ID, to learn about their pioneering efforts in mineral exploration and mining. 

During these visits, he held discussions with senior executives on ways to boost cooperation in strategic minerals — particularly nickel, cobalt, and copper — while promoting sustainable practices and outlining Saudi Arabia’s National Mining Strategy and investor-friendly ecosystem. 

The talks also focused on strengthening private sector collaboration, attracting investment, and sharing expertise in critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. 

Technology and innovation were highlighted as key drivers of growth in the mining sector, aligned with broader sustainable development goals. 

At MIND ID, both sides discussed best practices in mining operations and explored potential partnerships to develop strategic minerals sustainably. 

Conversations with PT Vale underscored the importance of innovation and technology in shaping the future of mining. 

Alkhorayef noted that Indonesia’s mining achievements align closely with Saudi Arabia’s mining strategy, which aims to unlock domestic mineral resources, localize value chains, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for mining investment and innovation. 

Indonesia ranks among the world’s top producers of strategic minerals, including nickel, cobalt, copper, tin, and gold. In 2023, the mining sector contributed 11.9 percent to the country’s gross domestic product, underscoring its critical role in the national economy. 

The country continues to attract international investment focused on developing downstream industries and reinforcing global mineral supply chains — goals that mirror Saudi Arabia’s own strategy to localize value chains and maximize its mineral wealth, the ministry’s statement added. 

Topics: Mining Industries

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