Mapping the Net-Zero Pathways for Sustainable Transport Systems in Saudi Arabia: The Role of Life Cycle Assessment
Net-zero pathways have become a key climate goal that can help promote a carbon-neutral future by balancing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with emissions removed from the atmosphere. These pathways provide strategic frameworks and roadmaps for countries to reduce GHG emissions significantly. For instance, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) transport sector is responsible for more than one-fifth of KSA GHG emissions. Net-zero pathways are highly relevant for frameworks designed to reduce the sector’s GHG emissions, as they help set long-term climate goals such as emission reduction strategies, technology selection and innovation and inform policies and regulations. However, a holistic approach is needed to design net-zero pathways that are effective in practice. The circular carbon economy (CCE) framework adopted by KSA supports this holistic approach. Nonetheless, implementing the CCE framework in the transport sector requires identifying GHG emission sources and driving systemic changes via a life cycle assessment (LCA). This manuscript introduces the LCA approach and its interplay with the CCE framework. This study provides a background for further research in the KSA transport sector to map out plausible net-zero pathways for sustainable transport systems in Saudi Arabia.
18th March 2024