Al Shehri, Thamir

  • Primary Program Climate and Sustainability
  • Research Interests Circular Carbon Economy, Climate Change Policy, Energy Transitions, Clean Energy Policy, Carbon Monitoring, Energy Efficiency, Demand Side Management, Cooling, Smart Grid, Smart Meter, Behavioral Economics, Nudge Theory, Digital Transformation,

Biography

Thamir is a research fellow in the Climate & Sustainability program. He is currently focused on creating data-driven tools to identify and evaluate different energy market scenarios and developing the KAPSARC Circular Carbon Economy Index.

Thamir also acts as an advisor to the broader energy ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of clean energy transitions, sustainability, and carbon emissions management. He is also a member of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

He previously worked as a lecturer in Australia and has entrepreneurial and industrial experience working on award-winning projects such as the Burj Khalifah Building Management System.

Publications

See all Thamir’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Methodology papers
  • Reports
  • Data Insight
  • Instant Insights
  • Commentaries
  • KAPSARC journal articles
  • Think20 (T20)
The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2023: Results

The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2023: Results

The Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Index provides a comparative overview of where countries stand on the road to net-zero and how well equipped they are to get there. The CCE Index compiles quantitative data points from 38 robust sources into a composite indicator covering countries representing approximately 90% of the global economy and CO2 emissions. On each of the indicators, each country receives a score of 0-100, which are combined to form various aggregate scores: for the total CCE Index, CCE Performance, CCE Enablers, and various enabling areas. In addition to these, five more indicators are applied to major oil and gas producing countries for an add-on score called the Oil Producers Lens. This paper presents and analyses the results of the 2023 CCE Index.

31st March 2024
The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2022 – Results

The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2022 – Results

The circular carbon economy (CCE) concept provides a holistic, flexible and pragmatic framework for countries to plan their energy and economic transitions to lower carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission levels and, ultimately, net-zero emissions. The CCE Index measures countries’ progress in and potential for reaching CCEs. It is a composite indicator comprising 43 individual, quantitative variables or indicators. The datasets underlying each indicator are harmonized across countries and derived from robust and reputable sources.

5th March 2023
The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2022 – Results

The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2022 – Results

The circular carbon economy (CCE) concept provides a holistic, flexible and pragmatic framework for countries to plan their energy and economic transitions to lower carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission levels and, ultimately, net-zero emissions. The CCE Index measures countries’ progress in and potential for reaching CCEs. It is a composite indicator comprising 43 individual, quantitative variables or indicators. The datasets underlying each indicator are harmonized across countries and derived from robust and reputable sources.

10th November 2022
The Gulf Cooperation Council and the Circular Carbon Economy: Progress and Potential

The Gulf Cooperation Council and the Circular Carbon Economy: Progress and Potential

Over the past year, all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have updated their medium-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets by submitting revised nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Aramco have also announced net-zero emission targets. Work is now beginning to develop more detailed roadmaps and implementation plans, some elements of which are already laid out in the updated NDCs.

14th June 2022
The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2021 – Results

The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2021 – Results

There is an urgent need to align global carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions with climate-safe trajectories. A broad range of technologies and approaches are needed to achieve this cost-effectively and equitably. The circular carbon economy (CCE) concept provides a holistic, flexible and pragmatic framework for countries to plan their respective contributions toward the commonly agreed climate goals.

29th December 2021
The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2021 – Methodology

The Circular Carbon Economy Index 2021 – Methodology

The Circular Carbon Economy Index (CCE Index) aims to measure countries’ progress in and potential for achieving circular carbon economies (CCEs). The CCE Index is based on two sub-indices: one for measuring countries’ current performance in the various dimensions of the CCE and the other for gauging how countries are positioned to make progress toward the CCE, based on key enabling factors. The CCE Index also allows for additional comparisons among top oil-producing countries through a separate set of add-on indicators that estimate how these countries’ industrial performance and business environments are aligning with the CCE.

2nd November 2021
The Circular Carbon Economy Index – Methodological Approach and Conceptual Framework

The Circular Carbon Economy Index – Methodological Approach and Conceptual Framework

The circular carbon economy (CCE) approach, developed during Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency and endorsed by G20 leaders and energy ministers, can be used as a framework for holistic assessments of all available energy and emission management technologies within the confines of a global carbon budget. KAPSARC’s Circular Carbon Economy Index project, launched in 2021, will develop a composite indicator (index) that measures and tracks country performance and potential on various dimensions of the CCE to support related policy discussions and planning.    

28th June 2021
Behavioral Aspects of Energy Transition: A KAPSARC-Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) Joint Methodological Report

Behavioral Aspects of Energy Transition: A KAPSARC-Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) Joint Methodological Report

KAPSARC’s work on innovation in electricity transitions has focused on unbundling services in the electricity sector (KAPSARC 2016) and developing the microeconomic foundation for a reliability service. Our research has investigated the experiences of industries resembling the electric power sector and those involved in the sharing economy that have recently faced technological disruptions. In Fuentes (2016), we argued that reallocating risk across the electricity market, and the apparent paradox between (spare) capacity and price signals (scarcity) could open up a new role for incumbent electricity firms. 

11th March 2020
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, Volume 4: Decision XXXI/7 – Continued Provision of Information on Energy-Efficient and Low Global Warming Potential Technologies

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, Volume 4: Decision XXXI/7 – Continued Provision of Information on Energy-Efficient and Low Global Warming Potential Technologies

In the context of accelerating climate change, cooling demand is also increasing rapidly. If unmanaged, this will result in a vicious circle, with increasing global warming through greater energy consumption combined with the use of higher GWP refrigerants. Addressing access to cooling and its adverse impacts has been a low priority historically, although this is rapidly changing. Cooling is included in all five themes at UNFCCC COP-26. The importance of a combined strategy to improve energy efficiency of cooling equipment while phasing down HFC refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is increasingly being recognized as one of the biggest climate mitigation opportunities available today. At the 31st Meeting of the Parties in Rome on November 2019, Parties adopted Decision XXXI/7: Continued provision of information on energy-efficient and low global-warming- potential technologies  To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) to prepare a report for consideration by the Thirty-Second Meeting of the Parties addressing any new developments with respect to best practices, availability, accessibility and cost of energy-efficient technologies in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors as regards the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. This report builds on the 2018 report in response to Decision XXIX/10 and subsequent EETF reports in response to Decision XXX/5 and Decision XXXI/7. The TEAP EETF has compiled information on relevant funding agencies, technology options, costs, availability, accessibility, and best practices for maintaining and/or enhancing energy efficiency in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sectors while phasing down HFCs under the Kigali Amendment.   Please visit: Original report by TEAP 43rd meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol  Find information about the Energy Efficiency task force (EETF):    

1st July 2021
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Report of the TEAP, Volume 2 Decision XXXI/7 – Continued Provision of Information on Energy-Efficient and Low Global Warming Potential Technologies

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Report of the TEAP, Volume 2 Decision XXXI/7 – Continued Provision of Information on Energy-Efficient and Low Global Warming Potential Technologies

In the context of accelerating climate change, cooling demand is also increasing rapidly. If unmanaged, this will result in a vicious circle, with increasing global warming through greater energy consumption combined with the use of higher GWP refrigerants. Addressing access to cooling and its adverse impacts has been a low priority historically, although this is rapidly changing. Cooling is included in all five themes at UNFCCC COP-26. The importance of a combined strategy to improve energy efficiency of cooling equipment while phasing down HFC refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is increasingly being recognized as one of the biggest climate mitigation opportunities available today. At the 31st Meeting of the Parties in Rome in November 2019, Parties adopted Decision XXXI/7: Continued provision of information on energy-efficient and low global-warming – potential technologies To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) to prepare a report addressing any new developments with respect to best practices, availability, accessibility and cost of energy-efficient technologies in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors as regards the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. TEAP Reports

1st September 2020
Crude Oil Use in the Saudi Electricity Sector

Crude Oil Use in the Saudi Electricity Sector

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to promote sustainability in its electricity sector. In 2016 and 2018, the government of Saudi Arabia introduced a range of reforms as part of Saudi Vision 2030 to modernize the economy and make it less reliant on oil revenues. They included raising domestic energy prices, prioritizing energy efficiency, and diversifying the country’s fuel mix.

29th September 2019
What Drove Saudi Arabia’s 2020 Fall in CO2 Emissions?

What Drove Saudi Arabia’s 2020 Fall in CO2 Emissions?

In June 2021, the energy data provider Enerdata released its initial estimates for Saudi Arabia’s 2020 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The data indicate that the Kingdom’s CO2 emissions from fuel combustion decreased by 3.3%, from 508.3 million tonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) in 2019 to 491.8 megatonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) in 2020.  

29th December 2021
Beyond Smart Meters

Beyond Smart Meters

Over the last two decades, many countries have installed millions of smart meters to improve the efficiency, reliability, and quality of service in the electric power sector. Compared with traditional meters, smart meters measure consumers’ electricity usage at 5- or 15-minute intervals and communicate that usage and other data automatically to the utility. Both electricity consumers and their utility can benefit from smart meters. They provide more information to manage electricity consumption, improve power outage detection and restoration, enhance opportunities for additional value-added services such as billing options and time of use rates, lower the utility’s costs, and enable distributed energy resources like solar and storage.

11th July 2021
Saudi Arabia’s CO2 Emissions Steady in 2019 Ahead of Expected 2020 Fall Due to COVID-19

Saudi Arabia’s CO2 Emissions Steady in 2019 Ahead of Expected 2020 Fall Due to COVID-19

The 2019 data on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have just been released ahead of an expected large fall in CO2 emissions in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. On June 3, Enerdata released its data for Saudi Arabia’s 2019 emissions from fuel consumption, estimating them to remain stable at 526.84 million tonnes of CO2 (MtCO2), slightly down (-0.04%) from 527.05 MtCO2 in 2018.

12th July 2020
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 CO2 Emissions Fall Faster Than Expected

Saudi Arabia’s 2018 CO2 Emissions Fall Faster Than Expected

The Instant Insight published on December 03, 2019 (KS–2019-II16) was based on data downloaded from the following sources: Enerdata Global Energy & CO2 Database (www.enerdata.net), 9 September, 2019 Enerdata EnerDemand Database (www.enerdata.net), 9 September, 2019 Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI), 9 September 2019 The data used in the previous analysis has been updated by Enerdata, with material revisions to the estimates for 2018 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Due to media interest in this topic, we have updated our analysis to reflect the most recent information (downloaded January 9, 2020). 

21st January 2020
What is Behind the Recent Fall in Saudi Arabia’s CO2 Emissions?

What is Behind the Recent Fall in Saudi Arabia’s CO2 Emissions?

The International Energy Agency has recently released data showing that in 2018 Saudi Arabia’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 15 million tonnes of CO2 (MtCO2), or 2.7%, from 577 MtCO2 to 562 MtCO2. This is significant as it is Saudi Arabia’s first large policy-induced reduction in CO2 emissions. It also highlights how Saudi Vision 2030’s economic transformation plans are helping to decouple its economic growth from its CO2 emissions. The Kingdom is now the fourth-fastest reducer of greenhouse gasses among the G20 group of countries.

4th December 2019
How the Circular Carbon Economy Index Can Serve Policymaking: Case Study of Saudi Arabia

How the Circular Carbon Economy Index Can Serve Policymaking: Case Study of Saudi Arabia

The Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Index is a tool developed by KAPSARC for energy and climate policymakers and stakeholders to quantify and compare country performance and potential on the CCE. The CCE is a relatively new concept. It aims to draw attention to the need to address carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions holistically by using all available mitigation options cost effectively, through reducing, recycling, reusing and removing carbon or carbon dioxide emissions.

2nd November 2021
Building Back Better in Saudi Arabia With Energy Efficiency

Building Back Better in Saudi Arabia With Energy Efficiency

The first priority for governments in managing the COVID-19 crisis is the health of their citizens. However, the implementation of restrictions on activity necessary for limiting the spread of the disease has caused the greatest global recession since the Great Depression. Many governments are considering how to support citizens’ livelihoods and stimulate economies hit hard by the disease.

5th October 2021
Measuring to Manage: The Case for Improving CO2 Monitoring and Reporting in Saudi Arabia

Measuring to Manage: The Case for Improving CO2 Monitoring and Reporting in Saudi Arabia

To support the transition to a circular carbon economy, there is an urgent need to develop robust domestic systems of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) monitoring and reporting in the Kingdom. Such systems provide the essential evidence base for domestic climate policymaking. Developing them will also be crucial in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its reporting commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change from 2024 onward and gain international recognition for its CO2 mitigation efforts.

13th July 2021

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