How Saudi Arabia’s Circular Carbon Economy Framework is setting a global benchmark for emissions reduction

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The Green Riyadh Program features several large city parks, including Al-Urubah Park, Al-Munsiyah Park, Al-Rimmal Park, and Al-Qadisiyah Park. (Royal Commission for Riyadh City photo)
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Updated 29 March 2025
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How Saudi Arabia’s Circular Carbon Economy Framework is setting a global benchmark for emissions reduction

  • The Kingdom aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 through its G20-backed strategy
  • NEOM is a living lab for CCE, integrating zero-carbon infrastructure and smart energy systems

RIYADH: Introduced during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, the Circular Carbon Economy Framework has gained significant traction, advancing emissions cuts, renewable energy investments, and carbon capture efforts.

In 2020, G20 leaders endorsed the framework to promote a sustainable, cost-effective approach to addressing climate change while ensuring clean energy access.

Building on this, the Kingdom launched its Circular Carbon Economy National Program in 2021 to reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions through strategies of reduction, recycling, reuse, and removal.

“With the creation of the Circular Carbon Economy National Program, Saudi Arabia has made several critical decisions that directly contribute to sustainability and climate change mitigation,” Jorge Gascon, a chemical engineering professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, told Arab News.

These decisions include “policy integration, renewable energy investment, and carbon capture initiatives.”

The program also recognizes the importance of natural carbon absorption and sets an ambitious goal to sustainably manage, restore, and preserve 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2040 using all available mitigation strategies.




Jorge Gascon

“Saudi Arabia has embedded the CCE framework into its national policies, notably through the Saudi Green Initiative,” said Gascon.

“The SGI aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 through implementing CCE principles and accelerating the transition to a green economy through emissions reduction, afforestation, and protection of land and sea.”

He noted that Saudi Arabia is shifting its energy mix toward sustainability, with a goal of 50 percent renewable energy.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Saudi Arabia has launched more than 30 Circular Carbon Economy initiatives across its energy system.

• In 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

• The circular economy reduces fossil fuel reliance, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and boosts energy security.

On carbon capture, Gascon said: “The Kingdom is engaged in international advocacy, notably during its G20 presidency and beyond, as well as various collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing initiatives through institutions such as KAPSARC and KAUST.”

KAUST is a partner in the development of the CCE Strategy, along with Aramco, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, AEON Strategy, and numerous other organizations.

The CCE’s development aligns with earlier efforts to promote sustainability. At the Future Investment Initiative forum in 2019, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman discussed the CCE.

The following year, at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Riyadh, King Salman introduced the National Program for the Circular Carbon Economy during the “Safeguarding the Planet” event, urging global cooperation to address climate change “by developing the economy and increasing human prosperity.”




"Family Photo" for annual G20 Summit World Leaders is projected onto Salwa Palace in At-Turaif. (AN file)

Before the national program, Saudi Arabia had many initiatives focusing on carbon capture and conversion into valuable raw materials.

“Numerous areas of research at KAUST intersect with CCE, including catalysis, clean combustion, advanced membranes, and porous materials,” Gascon said. “KAUST supported a parallel Circular Carbon Initiative to capture the contributing science and technology.”

He added: “CCE builds on the principles of the circular economy while recognizing that removal must play a key role in achieving this circularity.

“In this way, a 4R (reduce, reuse, recycle, remove) approach is proposed to manage carbon emissions effectively, resulting in a closed loop that minimizes waste and CO2 emissions.”




Illustration image courtesy of Aramco.com

Gascon highlighted that “the paradigm shift of the CCE occurs when we recognize carbon as a friend rather than an enemy.”

Through the Circular Carbon Economy Framework and various energy initiatives, Saudi Arabia is strategically establishing itself as a global leader in CCE.

This position is backed by the Kingdom’s abundant natural resources, significant technological investments and a strong commitment to sustainable development.

Majed Al-Qatari, a sustainability leader, ecological engineer, and UN youth ambassador, said that since the G20 launch of the CCE framework, “Saudi Arabia has introduced relevant and impactful initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the National Renewable Energy Program.”

He told Arab News that “these bold efforts demonstrate tangible progress in reducing emissions, investing in renewable energy and deploying carbon capture technologies.”

Al-Qatari cited NEOM, one of the Kingdom’s flagship projects, as a “real-world testing ground for these efforts, embedding zero-carbon infrastructure, smart energy systems, and net-zero mobility.”




Ecological engineer and UN youth ambassador Majed Al-Qatari. (AN file)

He added: “In 2025 and beyond, I expect further scaling of blue and green hydrogen projects, along with enhanced regional cooperation in carbon management.”

Al-Qatari also highlighted the four pillars of the CCE framework: reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove.

“The Kingdom applies this through initiatives like energy efficiency standards (reduce), CO2 utilization in industrial processes (reuse), circular water reuse in agriculture (recycle), and large-scale carbon capture and storage projects such as those by Aramco/SABIC (remove),” he said.

Asked what he believes was the motivating factor for Saudi Arabia’s adoption of the Circular Carbon Economy Framework during the G20, Al-Qatari said: “Saudi Arabia sought to play a leading role in advancing a global dialogue that aligns climate goals with economic mandates.

“The CCE framework was introduced in order to showcase an inclusive, technologically neutral mechanism that takes into account relevant pathways to mitigate carbon emissions without compromising energy security or economic development.”

Al-Qatari noted that the framework has become a global reference model, particularly for hydrocarbon-reliant economies.

“The framework offers a transition pathway that is practical and inclusive of conventional sources of energy like oil and gas while advancing climate goals,” he said. “Other jurisdictions are considering the Kingdom’s model in order to customize it for their local contexts.”




Saudi Green Initiative illustration 

Looking to the future, Al-Qatari highlighted Saudi Arabia’s target of net-zero emissions by 2060. “Such targets will be fostered by innovation, renewables, hydrogen, carbon management, and circular practices,” he said.

“Future goals would involve expanding circularity practices into other sectors and materials such as water, and waste sectors, while also crystallizing local environmental, social, and governance markets and strengthening regulatory frameworks for corporate sustainability and sustainable finance.”

When asked about the role of innovation and technology in advancing CCE, Gascon stressed KAUST’s importance in research and development.

“KAUST is pioneering breakthroughs in CO2 capture, including direct air capture, cryogenic CO2 capture, and other point-source technologies, as well as nature-based carbon sequestration strategies and geological storage solutions,” he said.




KAUST is pioneering breakthroughs in CO2 capture, including direct air capture, cryogenic CO2 capture, and other point-source technologies. (KAUST photos)

“It also drives advancements in synthetic fuels, such as clean ammonia and hydrogen carriers, alongside the integration of renewable energy and the optimization of industrial processes.

“KAUST collaborates with industry leaders, including Saudi Aramco and NEOM, to accelerate the deployment of carbon capture and sustainable fuel technologies.”

Gascon emphasized that KAUST’s research and public-private partnerships align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals.

“Implementing national policies, such as Vision 2030, ensures strategic alignment with circular economy principles, focusing on reducing pollution and improving resource utilization,” he said.
 

 


Governor of Qassim praises heritage center for preserving region’s culture and history

Updated 26 June 2025
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Governor of Qassim praises heritage center for preserving region’s culture and history

  • Prince Faisal bin Mishaal highlights the ways in which the Cultural Heritage Center helps boost national pride in the Kingdom’s historical and cultural identity
  • He tours exhibits that showcase the region’s various historical eras and feature a wide range of treasures, including prehistoric and pre-Islamic artifacts

RIYADH: The governor of Qassim, Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, praised a cultural center on Wednesday for the work it is doing to preserve and showcase the region’s rich history and heritage.

During a tour of the Cultural Heritage Center in Qassim he saw displays devoted to various historical eras and learned about the methods used to preserve the region’s historical and cultural assets, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The prince highlighted the important role the facility plays in shining a light on the region’s cultural heritage, and showcasing key historical artifacts dating back as far as ancient times from sites closely linked to the history and evolution of the Saudi state.

The center, which is part of the regional branch of the Saudi Heritage Commission, has displays that showcase the different historical eras of the region and feature a wide range of exhibits, including prehistoric artifacts and pre-Islamic treasures.

One exhibition is dedicated to Islamic-era Qassim, others to historic pilgrimage routes, architectural heritage sites, and the region’s intangible cultural heritage. There is also an interactive room for children, and a handicrafts section.

Prince Faisal praised the work of the Heritage Commission and highlighted the ways in which its efforts contribute to national pride in the Kingdom’s heritage and its historical identity.

He was accompanied during his visit by Ibrahim Al-Mushaikih, director of the commission’s regional branch, and other officials.

Al-Mushaikih said the governor’s visit represented a significant step in the development of the facility. He invited people from all parts of Saudi society to pay a visit and see for themselves the comprehensive information it offers about Qassim’s archaeological and heritage sites through enjoyable experiences and interactive displays.


Saudi UN envoy demands global action to protect kids in conflict zones, condemns Gaza violence

Updated 26 June 2025
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Saudi UN envoy demands global action to protect kids in conflict zones, condemns Gaza violence

  • Abdulaziz Alwasil denounces Israeli military operations in Gaza as ‘flagrant violation of international humanitarian law’
  • He emphasizes Kingdom’s commitment to application of international legal instruments, including Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols

NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, called on Wednesday for urgent international action to protect children in conflict zones, warning that failure to do so would undermine efforts to build more stable and prosperous societies.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting convened to discuss the effects of armed conflicts on youngsters, Alwasil emphasized the importance of protecting children, describing it as a legal obligation and moral responsibility, particularly in nations affected by prolonged violence.

During the session, UN officials detailed an unprecedented surge in the number of grave violations against children during armed conflicts worldwide.

The meeting followed the publication of a devastating annual report by the UN secretary-general’s special representative for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba. It documented 41,370 grave violations against children during 2024, a 25 percent increase compared with the previous year, and the highest number since the UN’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism was established in 2005.

The verified abuses of children spanned 25 countries and included killings, maiming, recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of access to humanitarian assistance.

“This year marked a devastating new record,” Gamba told council members. “Behind these numbers are the shattered stories, dreams and futures of over 22,000 children.”

She cited a sharp increase in “compounded violations,” in which children were abducted, recruited and sexually abused, often simultaneously, in the context of deteriorating humanitarian crises.

Israel was responsible for the highest number of violations by a single country against children in 2024, the report stated.

Alwasil said: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1612, which established mechanisms for monitoring violations against children in armed conflict, the international community must focus on two priorities: We must break the cycle of violence and create an environment that rejects extremism and fosters resilience.”

The envoy expressed appreciation for Gamba’s work, and emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to the application of international legal instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. He stressed the shared responsibility of all parties for the protection of children and for efforts to address the root causes of armed violence.

Turning to the crisis in Gaza in particular, Alwasil sharply rebuked Israeli authorities over their military operations in the territory.

“What is happening in Gaza now is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and humanitarian values,” he said.

“Civilians live under constant bombardment and a suffocating blockade, facing systematic aggression by Israeli armed forces. This has led to the deaths of 55,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.”

The war has deprived more than 1 million children in Gaza of basic necessities, including food and medicine, Alwasil said. He called for immediate international action to end the conflict, protect vulnerable populations and hold accountable those responsible for violations.

“The Kingdom affirms that the protection of children in areas of armed conflict is a legal duty that cannot be shirked, and a moral responsibility that cannot be ignored,” he concluded.

“Saudi Arabia supports all UN efforts aimed at protecting civilians, and enhancing international cooperation to respond to the suffering of children affected by war, wherever they may be.”


Replacement of the kiswa that covers Holy Kaaba at Grand Mosque in Makkah begins

The annual ceremony to replace the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba started on Wednesday. (SPA)
Updated 26 June 2025
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Replacement of the kiswa that covers Holy Kaaba at Grand Mosque in Makkah begins

  • A team of 154 skilled Saudi craftsmen will remove the old kiswa, detach its gilded elements, and install its replacement
  • The cover is made up of 47 black-silk panels embroidered with 68 Quranic verses using 24-karat gold-plated silver threads, and weighs 1,415 kg

RIYADH: The annual ceremony to replace the kiswa, the embroidered, black-and-gold silk cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, began on Wednesday evening. It is a tradition that dates back more than a century.

The carefully coordinated process began with the removal of a section of the cloth measuring 6.35 meters by 3.33 meters that covered the Kaaba door.

The new kiswa is on its way to the Grand Mosque, accompanied by a comprehensive system of logistical and operational support, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A team of 154 skilled Saudi craftsmen will remove the old kiswa, detach its gilded elements, and install its replacement.

The cover is made up of 47 black-silk panels, intricately embroidered with 68 Quranic verses using 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. It weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.

A total of 825 kilograms of silk, 410 kilograms of raw cotton, 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread and 60 kilograms of pure silver were used in the creation of the new kiswa. In addition, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa.


Franco-Saudi music week unites cultures in Jeddah

Updated 25 June 2025
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Franco-Saudi music week unites cultures in Jeddah

  • French musicians and artists descend on the Kingdom’s second city
  • Week-long festivities kicked off coinciding with World Music Day

JEDDAH: A week-long music festival is celebrating the rich artistic ties between France and Saudi Arabia through a series of talks, musical performances and jam sessions in Jeddah.

Having kicked off on World Music Day – June 21 – the Music Week in Jeddah: A Franco-Saudi Celebration runs until June 27 and is hosted by the French Embassy and consulate in Jeddah in partnership with the Alliance Francaise, Art Jameel, Call of Culture, Music Home, Sout Albalad and Siddharta Lounge.

One of the featured events was a DJ session by French artist SONGE at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar on Tuesday. She told Arab News that through her music she aims “to break boundaries and create inclusive spaces where diverse voices and energies can connect.”

GUITARRAMA, the Ninth Artistic Music and Music Education Forum, hosted at Music Home on Monday, brought together a number of artists and experts.

It was spearheaded by Anouar Kablaoui, instructor at Music Home Higher Institute and founder of the forum.

Kablaoui said: “This ninth edition explores how the guitar, a traditionally Western instrument, is being reimagined within Arabic musical aesthetics, jazz vocabularies and local creative industries.”

The forum also featured Saudi jazz guitarist Aqeel Hussein, who reflected on his personal journey with jazz, beginning at an American university and continuing with his efforts to bring the genre into the Saudi musical landscape since 2004.

“This forum was an opportunity to share my story and the passion that drives me to keep performing and educating through jazz. It’s about showing how music can evolve when it crosses borders, while staying true to its roots,” Hussein told Arab News.

A performance by the student band Zakharef, formed by students of the University of Business and Technology, captured the spirit of the night. The band’s musical debut was a tribute to the Hijazi heritage and the historical charm of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, forming an emotional and lasting moment for both the performers and the audience.

Hayy Jameel is set to host an open jam session with French-Moroccan artist Karimouche on Thursday in collaboration with Hayy Sounds.

The performance promises a dynamic fusion of Eastern melodies, hip-hop, spoken word and beatbox — blending tradition and modernity in a truly global dialogue of sound.

Karimouche, the stage name of French Moroccan artist Karima Amarouche, told Arab News: “It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here.”

She is known for fusing rap, spoken word, and North African rhythms in songs that explore themes of identity and resistance. She revealed that her Hayy Jameel performance will feature songs from both her latest album “Folies Berberes” and earlier works.

She also shared how her collaboration with Saudi artist Roaa Lam began: “I saw her on Instagram. I listened and thought, ‘Wow, I love this artist. She’s amazing’.”

Karimouche is deeply committed to working with women in music, both in France and abroad. “It’s important for me. There’s a sense of female solidarity. It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here, and to witness the growing freedom year after year. God willing, I hope to return every year.”

Reflecting on her time in Saudi Arabia so far, she said: “The music scene here is very rich. The collaboration with the all-female band Siham in Riyadh was magical. We created new pieces together and blended our styles. Now, the same is happening here with Roaa.”

Kosh spoke to Arab News about how he imitates instruments with his unique style of beatboxing.

He explained that his journey began in childhood: “When I was a kid, I played with toy cars and made sounds … that evolved into beatboxing.”

Over the years, his talents have taken him to major venues, including the Montreux Festival in France. He now mixes beatboxing with humor, spoken word and live music.

Roaa Lam, the Saudi oud player, told Arab News about how she perceives oud and music: “For me, it’s not composition — it’s emotional storytelling”

Representing Saudi Arabia in the international collaboration, Lam is a self-taught oud player, singer, and composer who brings authenticity and deep emotion to her music.

“I compose music and collaborate with other artists,” she said.

Lam spoke about one of her most meaningful projects: A piece called Kurd Al-Tha’alib (Kurd of the Foxes), which she composed using field recordings of women’s voices in a public garden in Jeddah, before their neighborhood was demolished.

“I used the musical mode ‘Kurd’ and named the piece after the neighborhood that was called Al-Tha’alib before it was torn down,” she said.

The piece was performed at the Feminist Festival in Berlin — a milestone in her growing international presence.

She also reflected on her musical journey: “I’ve been playing oud for about six years. I taught myself. I never studied in a music school — it’s all self-expression. That’s what music is to me.”

Music Week in Jeddah is a creative crossroads. Through the voices of artists, the festival highlights the richness of cultural exchange and the transformative power of music to build empathy, connection and beauty.

As Karimouche put it: “My heart is full. The people here are respectful, kind and creative. I’ve learned so much from the Saudi artists.”

The celebration will conclude on Friday with an energetic Open Mic Night at Hayy Jameel, hosted by Slow Moe and spotlighting the emerging Saudi rap scene. This finale aims to showcase the voices of local youth and their growing impact on the global hip-hop scene.

Reflecting on the celebrations, Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise de Djeddah, said: “Alliance Francaise de Djeddah is thrilled to celebrate La fete de la musique alongside its partners. It is an event that transcends borders and brings people together through the universal language of music.”

Mohammed Nehad, consul general of France in Jeddah, said the event is a “powerful symbol of the deepening friendship and cultural cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia,” adding that he hopes it will continue to “energize the local cultural scene in Jeddah.”


Saudi program expands support in rural communities 

Updated 25 June 2025
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Saudi program expands support in rural communities 

  • Program now has 87,235 beneficiaries across the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, has announced that it now has 87,235 beneficiaries across the Kingdom.

This is a part of efforts to promote economic and social stability in rural areas and support agricultural workers and families involved in cottage industries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Majed Al-Buraikan, Saudi Reef’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said the support from the nation’s leadership has helped to expand the number of beneficiaries and achieve tangible results.

He said this reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the agricultural sector and develop rural areas, the SPA added. 

Al-Buraikan said the program has several main pillars, including developing agricultural and livestock production, empowering rural women, and supporting small-scale fishermen.

The program also focuses on adding value to products which was key to sustainable rural development and boosting the income of families across the regions, he added.

Al-Buraikan said Saudi Reef continues to provide direct support, training, and certification programs aimed at improving quality of life in rural areas.

This was in addition to increasing the agricultural sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, he said.