Net-zero Strategies of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye: Analysis and Comparison

Abstract

As part of the global response to climate change, most countries are moving towards carbon neutrality beyond reducing carbon emissions. In this process, Middle Eastern countries seem to be passive. However, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are implementing carbon reduction policies actively and trying to link their effort with energy transition and national competitiveness. This study focuses on Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and explains where those two countries are situated regarding carbon emissions and how strongly the reduction targets have been set. Also, it shows the target years the two countries announced for achieving net zero and their specific efforts. The net-zero strategies of the two countries are meaningful in that they suggest a way to reduce carbon emissions, energy transitions, and net-zero for similar countries in the Middle East.