What is Saudi Arabia's pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C?
Transport
Transport energy demand in Saudi Arabia has increased almost threefold between 1990 and 2019. In 2017, the transport sector accounted for 19% of total emissions in Saudi Arabia. The transport sector is supplied 100% by oil, with no market for electric vehicles (EVs) or liquid biofuels as of current date.1,2
Saudi Arabia's energy mix in the transport sector
petajoule per year
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Graph description
Energy mix composition in the transport sector in consumption (EJ) and shares (%) for the years 2030, 2040 and 2050 based on selected IPCC SR1.5 global least costs pathways.
Methodology
Data References
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In 2018, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had invested USD 1 billion in a US-based EV manufacturer and signed an agreement to install EV charging stations in the country.3 While Saudi Arabia does not have an absolute emissions reduction target for the transport sector, it aims to implement various initiatives to improve energy efficiency across energy sectors including transport led by the Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre. The initiatives include improving fleet fuel economy, phasing out inefficient used light-duty vehicles, and implementing an aerodynamic regulation for heavy-duty vehicles.4 Currently, there are several metro projects underway in Saudi Arabia including the USD 27 billion Riyadh Metro Project, which would contribute to a modal shift towards public transport in the country.5
To be compatible with a 1.5°C pathway, direct CO₂ emissions of the transport sector in Saudi Arabia would need to decline from 136 MtCO₂/yr in 2019 to 57–70 MtCO₂/yr by 2030, and 8–29 MtCO₂/yr by 2050. The country should also reduce its reliance on oil products and increase the share of electricity in the transport sector to 2–11% by 2030 and 43–60% by 2050. Liquid biofuels and hydrogen are some of the levers to decarbonise heavy-duty vehicles such as freight transport and public vehicles. Under 1.5°C compatible pathways, the share of liquid biofuels and hydrogen reaches 11–29% and 27–57% by 2050, respectively.
Saudi Arabia's transport sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
Direct CO₂ emissions only are considered (see power sector for electricity related emissions, hydrogen and heat emissions are not considered here).
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Graph description
Direct CO₂ emissions of the transport sector in selected 1.5°C compatible pathways.
Methodology
Data References
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1.5°C compatible transport sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, biofuels and hydrogen in the transport final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Saudi Arabia
| Indicator |
2019
|
2030
|
2040
|
2050
|
Decarbonised transport sector by
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Direct CO₂ emissions
MtCO₂/yr
|
136
|
57 to
70
|
37 to
45
|
8 to
29
|
2055 to
2067
|
|
Relative to reference year in %
|
-58 to
-49%
|
-73 to
-67%
|
-94 to
-79%
|
| Indicator |
2019
|
2030
|
2040
|
2050
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Share of electricity
per cent
|
0
|
2 to
11
|
17 to
36
|
43 to
60
|
|
Share of biofuels
per cent
|
0
|
1 to
3
|
7 to
7
|
11 to
29
|
|
Share of hydrogen
per cent
|
0
|
0 to
16
|
4 to
47
|
27 to
57
|
All values are rounded. Only direct CO₂ emissions are considered (electricity, hydrogen and heat emissions are not considered here; see power sector for emissions from electricity generation). Year of full decarbonisation is based on carbon intenstiy threshold of 5gCO₂/MJ.
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Methodology
Data References
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