On October 30, the Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, announced at the Future Investment Initiative that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers the concept of a circular carbon economy … Such a closed-loop system, much like what happens in nature, will help restore the balance of the carbon cycle.” With this bold new vision for addressing climate change, Saudi Arabia has an opportunity to shift the climate debate, both as part of its presidency of the G20 in 2020 and in the wider international community, toward an approach that explicitly includes and encourages all possible climate mitigation options.
Eric Williams
Former Research Fellow Eric has over 20 years of experience as an energy and environmental economist focusing on energy and climate change policy,… Eric has over 20 years of experience as an energy and environmental economist focusing on energy and climate change policy, energy systems analysis, and climate change mitigation and adaptation options. Eric was managing the writing and publication of a series of reports on Circular Carbon Economy to be delivered to the G20 this year. The reports are written by International Organizations, including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), and the Global CCS Institute (GCCSI). Eric was previously acting Program Director for the Climate Change and Environment program at KAPSARC. Before joining KAPSARC, Eric worked as an economist with the North Carolina Utilities Commission and was a consultant at the OECD. Eric has previously worked in the United Nations, academic research institutes, think tanks, and government.