Saudi Arabia sets zero carbon emission goals for 2060

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia will announce that it will reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Saturday, prior to COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference.

Saudi Arabia seeks to reach its goal "through its circular carbon economy approach, in line with the kingdom's development plans," bin Salman said at the Saudi Green Initiative forum.

Also, Saudi-run Aramco, the world's largest oil company, plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Aramco President and CEO Armin Nasser said at the forum.

Additionally, bin Salman said, to meet its afforestation goals, Saudi Arabia will plant more than 450 million trees and upgrade degraded lands to increase protected areas in the kingdom to more than 20 percent, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The crown prince also announced that Saudi Arabia will develop Riyadh into "one of the world's most sustainable cities."

The Saudi Green Initiative forum was held in Riyadh prior to the October 31-November 12 COP26 talks, in a bid to bring together companies, international NGOs, and ministers of environment and climate.

During the Saudi forum, Britain's Prince Charles delivered the keynote speech, warning in a virtual address that there is a "dangerously narrow window" to accelerate the global "green recovery."

"I can only say that it is enormously encouraging to see the commitment to diversifying its energy mix, recognizing the cascading economic, social, and environmental benefits that renewable energy provides," Prince Charles added.