Saudi Arabia pledges 130Mt cut in CO2 emissions by 2030
While thin on detail, the Saudi pledge to cut emissions is significant, as the country has hitherto refused to join the fight against global warming. Saudi authorities have said that the country will cut CO2 output by 130Mt by 2030, but fails to declare the current level of output. In 2012 the country ranked fourteenth in greenhouse gas emissions at 527Mt. Saudi Arabia is the last of the G20 nations to submit its targets ahead of the COP21 summit.

Saudi Arabia has become the last G20 member to submit a national climate plan ahead of the COP21 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December.

Saudi Arabia has become the last G20 member to submit a national climate plan ahead of the COP21 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December.

The UN has requested all member states to submit Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) before the negotiations as part of a proposed global climate deal.

Saudi Arabia’s INDC announces the country’s intentions to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 130 million tonnes by 2030, was released on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia is the world’ largest exporter of crude oil, and receives 90 per cent of its revenues from these exports.

The new climate plan does not have a high level of detail, and does not include Saudi Arabia’s current GHG emission levels.

In 2012, the gulf state was the world’s 14th largest emitter of GHG emissions with 527Mt.

Saudi Arabia has announced intentions to diversify its economy, increase investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, promote the use of carbon capture and storage, shift domestic energy supplies to gas, and minimise fugitive methane emissions and flaring in oil production.

The Saudi government also stressed that the INDC is dependent on "robust" oil export revenues over the coming decades and that it "reserves the right" to update its plan.

“It is also premised on the fact that the economic and social consequences of international climate change policies and measures do not pose disproportionate or abnormal burden on the kingdom's economy," the document stated.

The INDC also does not include any target in terms of installed renewable energy capacity.

Nearly 160 countries have now submitted their INDCs.

The latest INDCs came as ministers from a number of key participants in the negotiations gather in Paris for a final round of talks ahead of the Paris Summit.

French ministers have now confirmed over 110 world leaders are now expected to participate at the COP21 negotiations.