• Primary Program Oil & Gas
  • Research Interests Oil & Gas ESG, Capital Costs, Sustainable Finance

Biography

Claudia Belahmidi is a Senior Fellow in the Oil and Gas program, with a focus on the impact of ESG topics and Climate Finance on the hydrocarbon industry. Claudia has more than 13 years of research and industry experience analyzing energy markets, policies, and companies. Before joining KAPSARC, Claudia worked at S&P Global as an Equity and Strategy Analyst in the Commodity Insights Team, providing flagship and bespoke insights and analysis on a number of integrated oil companies as well as European independent producers. Previously, Claudia spent three years as an energy research analyst (Northern Europe and North America) with IHS. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in International Affairs from the Fletcher School, Tufts University.

Publications

See all Claudia’s publications
  • Discussion paper
  • Instant Insight
  • Commentaries
Assessing ESG Impact in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Multi-Criteria Approach

Assessing ESG Impact in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Multi-Criteria Approach

The paper titled “Assessing ESG Impact in the Oil & Gas Industry: A Multi-Criteria Approach” discusses the critical role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in the oil and gas sector, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. The document emphasizes the industry’s longstanding governance and social focus, with environmental concerns gaining prominence due to climate change pressures. ESG compliance is now essential for securing financial backing, with third-party ESG ratings influencing corporate reputations and capital allocation. The paper reviews international ESG frameworks, used for ESG disclosures in the oil and gas sector, with a special focus on Saudi Arabia’s evolving role as a major oil producer transitioning toward economic diversification. The research uses a multi-criteria analysis to prioritize risks and offers insights for industry and policy stakeholders alike.

24th February 2025
Accelerating Climate Finance for Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero Ambitions: Green Financing Frameworks

Accelerating Climate Finance for Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero Ambitions: Green Financing Frameworks

As part of the global climate agenda, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2060 through the Circular Carbon Economy (CEE) approach. To achieve this goal, the Kingdom aims to involve private investors more and advance its financial sector, fostering economic diversification and growth in line with Vision 2030 (Saudi Vision 2030 2018). The Kingdom has already announced several giant projects involving various clean technologies, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, natural capital development, and carbon management technologies, which amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in investment.

27th June 2024
Navigating Global Sustainability Reporting and Taxonomies: Insights for Saudi Arabia

Navigating Global Sustainability Reporting and Taxonomies: Insights for Saudi Arabia

The paper explores the evolution of ESG reporting frameworks and taxonomies, focusing on their implications for Saudi Arabia. It discusses the challenges posed by global ESG practices, such as mandatory Scope 3 emissions reporting, materiality standards, and carbon management technologies. The paper highlights Saudi Arabia’s current reporting practices and guidelines, as well as the benefits of alignment with international standards, such as the ISSB and EU frameworks. It recommends developing a national support infrastructure, tailored to the Saudi context, to enhance global competitiveness and sustainability.

21st March 2025
NOCs and ESG: Room for Refinement?

NOCs and ESG: Room for Refinement?

The oil and gas industry has faced investment challenges since 2014. Oil and gas suppliers are still searching for a solution to attract investments from financial institutions and other cautious investors who are hesitant to inject more capital. Factors such as price volatility, uncertainty surrounding the outlook for oil demand, and growing environmental concerns deter potential investors from taking action.

25th June 2024

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