At COP29, Saudi Arabia is facing sharp criticism for its resistance to key climate agreements, including its opposition to transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Observers and negotiators have recorded multiple instances where Saudi delegates have blocked progress on various issues, from carbon emission reductions to establishing a registry for national climate pledges.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin, a trusted source with access to the talks, highlighted at least five such cases of obstruction.
Climate policy expert Alden Meyer from think tank E3G described Saudi Arabia’s behavior as a “wrecking ball.”
Some speculate that the country’s actions are influenced by recent political developments, such as Donald Trump’s return to prominence, and point to symbolic moments like Saudi Aramco chair Yasir Al-Rumayyan sitting beside Trump at a public event.
Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves make it particularly resistant to efforts aimed at phasing out fossil fuels, a cornerstone of global climate action.
Despite vulnerabilities, Saudi Arabia resists climate action, hindering consensus on urgent global goals.The kingdom’s energy minister had previously dismissed the transition as merely one option among many, framing it as part of an “à la carte” approach to addressing climate change.
This resistance has drawn ire from diplomats and experts alike.
Dr. Joanna Depledge of the University of Cambridge called the Saudi stance “blatant and brazen,” accusing negotiators of using procedural delays without substantial justification.
Ironically, Saudi Arabia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A 2023 report by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center warned of an impending climate crisis that could threaten the kingdom’s livability.
The urgency of this issue was starkly underscored when extreme heat during the June hajj pilgrimage, exacerbated by human-caused global warming, claimed at least 1,300 lives.
As decisions at UN climate summits require consensus, Saudi Arabia’s actions could derail meaningful progress.
Many observers fear that its strategy aims to weaken global commitments by avoiding any repeated references to transitioning away from fossil fuels in future agreements.
With the stakes higher than ever, the country’s resistance raises questions about balancing national interests with global climate imperatives.