KAUST is uniquely positioned to help catalyze action against climate change through innovative and rigorous research on climate and livability, food and water security, and several other climate adaptation areas of key importance for the region and the world.
As part of its Climate Action roadmap, KAUST has conducted a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission inventory in 2019, followed by subsequent inventories through 2023, in accordance with the internationally recognized GHG Protocol. These inventories outline KAUST’s emissions across three defined scopes and serve as a foundation for an enhanced carbon management process aimed at reducing carbon emissions across campus. This aligns with our commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions before or by Saudi Arabia’s 2060 net zero ambition, as outlined in our Sustainability Policy. This effort supports the university’s leadership in working towards a tangible, evidence-based climate commitment.
CLIMATE ACTION THROUGH RESEARCH
KAUST actively fosters research and innovation on cleaner energy sources that will lead to a reduction of carbon reliance and lower emissions. Through a combination of research in hydrogen fuels, synthetic fuels and renewable energy sources carried on by the KAUST Solar Center (KSC) and Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC), the university also explores how some of its own discoveries can be applied to its carbon management.
In order to contribute towards the CCE Platform and align its plan of carbon management and emission reduction with global players, KAUST launched the KAUST Circular Carbon Initiative (CCI). The aim of CCI is to connect more deeply the different strands of KAUST’s CCE research to support the creation of a National Platform for the promotion, adoption, and rapid deployment of CCE technological solutions.
