• Primary Program Climate and Environment
  • Research Interests Climate change policy and governance, low-carbon policy, and international relations

Biography

Elizabeth was a senior research associate at KAPSARC focused on climate change policy and governance in a post-Paris world, with a particular emphasis on the UNFCCC process and low-carbon policy. Prior to joining KAPSARC she worked as a researcher and public affairs professional for international organizations, think tanks and governments, and has consulted for Electricite de France. Elizabeth was New Zealand’s energy advisor at the IEA and spent several years in Paris with a French think tank as an energy, climate and environment analyst.

Publications

See all Elizabeth’s publications
  • Discussion paper
  • Instant Insight
  • Commentary
Policy Pathways to Meet Saudi Arabia’s Contribution to the Paris Agreement

Policy Pathways to Meet Saudi Arabia’s Contribution to the Paris Agreement

The 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change fundamentally altered the nature of global climate governance by introducing a new framework based on a bottom-up system of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). As a signatory Party to the Agreement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia communicated its intended nationally determined contribution (which became its first NDC) in November 2015. This included a goal of avoiding up to 130 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions per annum by 2030. This paper evaluates several supply-side policy approaches to mitigate CO2 emissions from the Saudi Arabian power and water sectors, which together account for more than 40% of the Kingdom’s greenhouse gas emissions. The paper aims to help inform the policymaking process in the Kingdom ahead of the communication of its second NDC in 2020. In addition to a business as usual scenario, suggested policy approaches include: A Portfolio Standard that requires up to 50 gigawatts of solar, wind and nuclear technology deployment A Clean Energy Standard that simulates a set of notional policies that reduce the carbon intensity of electricity and water production A Partial Fuel Price Reform, where fuel prices are gradually raised to about half of international price levels by 2030 A Full Fuel Price Reform where fuel prices are raised to international levels. The paper evaluates these alternative scenarios in terms of their practical implications on Saudi Arabia’s CO2 emissions, electricity production, fuel consumption, investments and cost-effectiveness, as well as on the Kingdom’s oil exports and revenues.

27th February 2019
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

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