Hejazi, Mohamad

  • Primary Program Climate & Sustainability
  • Research Interests Climate change research, climate impacts and adaptation, climate mitigation, integrated assessment modeling, energy-water-land nexus

Biography

Mohamad Hejazi is the executive director for the Climate and Sustainability Program at KAPSARC. He also leads the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Partnership (CAMP) project, and his work focuses on climate change research, climate impacts and adaptation, climate mitigation, integrated assessment modeling, and energy-water-land nexus. Prior to joining KAPSARC, Mohamad worked as a senior research scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where he served as the principal investigator for the Global Change Intersectoral Modeling System project, a multi-million-dollar project that includes over 40 interdisciplinary researchers across many institutions. He has also led and contributed to projects with the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, US-AID, US-EPA, USGS, NASA, and NSF-INFEWS. Mohamad has authored over 100 journal publications, and he has also served as a contributing author to the Fourth U.S. National Climate Assessment, and the AR6 IPCC WG III report on the mitigation of climate change. Mohamad holds a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Publications

See all Mohamad’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Reports
  • KAPSARC journal articles
Limiting Carbon Dioxide Removal Could Exacerbate Global Economic Inequality

Limiting Carbon Dioxide Removal Could Exacerbate Global Economic Inequality

The Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (°C), and ideally 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels, places significant emphasis on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. However, the global landscape for CDR deployment remains uneven, with significant disparities in technological capacity, economic readiness, and regional ambition. This study investigates how limited access to CDR technologies could exacerbate global economic inequality under a 1.5°C pathway. Using the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM v6.0), six scenarios – ranging from unrestricted CDR availability to constrained deployment – are evaluated. Our findings reveal that constrained CDR availability significantly increases median global carbon prices, rising from US$588 per ton of carbon dioxide (tCO2) in the full CDR portfolio scenario to $937/tCO2 by 2055 in the most restrictive scenario. By 2100, some regions will face prices exceeding $3,000/tCO2, underscoring stark regional inequalities. These elevated carbon prices could deepen economic disparities, particularly in developing nations and fossil fuel-dependent economies. Furthermore, constrained CDR availability could also amplify inequalities in energy and food security, disproportionately affecting poorer regions. The study underscores the need for equitable CDR access to support a just global transition to a low-carbon future, offering valuable insights for policymakers designing more equitable climate strategies.

16th April 2025
Progress and Gaps in the Adoption of Clean Cooking Fuels in Africa – Policy Options for Ghana and Kenya

Progress and Gaps in the Adoption of Clean Cooking Fuels in Africa – Policy Options for Ghana and Kenya

Access to clean cooking fuels is vital for public health, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines the key barriers to adopting clean cooking fuels in Ghana and Kenya, asking. Despite progress in urban areas toward liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity, rural households remain reliant on biomass fuels like wood and charcoal, leading to indoor air pollution and environmental harm. This dependence imposes significant costs, estimated at $18 billion annually in Ghana and $39 billion in Kenya. To address these challenges, targeted policy interventions—such as expanding LPG infrastructure, providing financial subsidies, and implementing culturally sensitive awareness campaigns—are essential. This study enhances understanding of Africa’s energy transition by highlighting the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of clean cooking adoption, supporting efforts for equitable access to sustainable energy solutions.

13th March 2025
Decarbonizing Land-Based Passenger Transport in Saudi Arabia

Decarbonizing Land-Based Passenger Transport in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi government has outlined its decarbonization strategy through various statements and reports, identifying key initiatives, preferred technologies, and investment targets to drive this transformation. In this study, we employ Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) to evaluate the long-term impacts of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to NetZero GHG emissions by 2060, focusing on the road passenger transport sector. This paper explores decarbonization pathways for road passenger transport. It examines the potential transition to alternative vehicle technologies and public transport modes, such as buses and rail, to achieve the NetZero targets.

12th January 2025
Carbon Dioxide Utilization in the Desalination Sector in Saudi Arabia: An Opportunity for Achieving Negative Emissions

Carbon Dioxide Utilization in the Desalination Sector in Saudi Arabia: An Opportunity for Achieving Negative Emissions

The global pursuit of sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change has intensified, necessitating innovative approaches that transform traditional carbon-intensive industries into potential carbon sinks. Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a key tool for achieving net-zero targets by 2060 in Saudi Arabia. The country has set targets to achieve 9 megatons per year (Mt/y) of CCUS by 2027 and 44 Mt/y by 2035. Recent work has characterized the Kingdom’s geological carbon dioxide (CO2) potential as around 445 gigatons (Gt), but to date, there has been no detailed analysis of the CO2 utilization potential in the Kingdom. Current research at KAPSARC aims to review existing and emerging CO2 utilization routes relevant to Saudi Arabia. This paper focuses on evaluating the untapped potential for CO2 utilization in the Kingdom’s desalination sector and explores the potential of this sector to become a carbon sink, thus contributing to carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Results show that, by 2030, the desalination sector in Saudi Arabia could store up to 458 million tons of CO2 annually in the brine discharged from desalination plants, transforming brine into a useful product and reducing environmental impacts while also potentially creating negative emissions. The study recommends that policies are introduced to encourage a circular carbon economy (CCE) approach within industry. Policies and regulations supporting the installation of brine recovery equipment as well as CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) are considered a priority for the desalination sector. Encouraging CCU from atmospheric and biogenic origins is attractive as it provides the potential for carbon removals and offsetting in the desalination sector as Saudi Arabia transitions to a net-zero carbon economy.

18th December 2024
Key Drivers of Decarbonizing Hard- to-Abate Energy- System Sectors by Midcentury

Key Drivers of Decarbonizing Hard- to-Abate Energy- System Sectors by Midcentury

To limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C, achieving a net-zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission energy system by midcentury is essential. This ambitious target requires the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, particularly transportation and heavy industry. This study employs an integrated energy-economic-climate assessment model to explore decarbonization pathways aligned with these temperature goals.

2nd December 2024
Reaching Net-Zero GHG Emissions in Saudi Arabia by 2060: Transformation of the Industrial Sector

Reaching Net-Zero GHG Emissions in Saudi Arabia by 2060: Transformation of the Industrial Sector

The industrial sector plays a crucial role in the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Its energy consumption primarily relies on natural gas and oil due to the abundance of these resources and their relatively low administered prices. To reduce oil dependence and create a more sustainable and resilient economy, the KSA has adopted several important policies to improve energy efficiency, manage domestic energy consumption, and pursue ambitious climate targets.

1st July 2024
Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions of Saudi Arabia by 2060: The Transformation of the Building Sector

Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions of Saudi Arabia by 2060: The Transformation of the Building Sector

In this paper, an economy-wide, net-zero pathway that enables Saudi Arabia to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 is investigated, with a specific focus on the critical role played by the building sector. An exploration is undertaken of the significance of energy efficiency measures, the circular carbon economy framework and the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center’s instrumental contributions in reducing energy demand and GHG emissions within the building sector.

25th March 2024
Saudi Arabia Net-Zero GHG Emissions by 2060: Transformation of the Transport Sector

Saudi Arabia Net-Zero GHG Emissions by 2060: Transformation of the Transport Sector

Decarbonizing the transport sector will likely play a crucial role for Saudi Arabia in fulfilling its target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2060. While clear and immediate low-carbon or zero-carbon alternatives exist in some sectors, the transport sector faces challenges. For instance, there are promising solutions for passenger cars, but solutions for long-distance transport are still being developed or are in the early adoption phase. Understanding these challenges requires a comprehensive study of Saudi Arabia’s transport sector and the long-term impact of various policies on the industry.

22nd January 2024
Saudi Arabia Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2060: Transformation of the Electricity Sector

Saudi Arabia Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2060: Transformation of the Electricity Sector

Under its Vision 2030 targets, Saudi Arabia is working to steer the nation toward a sustainable future. The Kingdom has recently amplified its sustainability goals, announcing its intention to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2060. As part of this renewed commitment, Saudi Arabia aims to have 50% of its electricity capacity from renewable sources by 2030. This pledge reflects the country’s strategic move toward a greener and more sustainable energy landscape.

5th December 2023
Long-Term Decarbonization Pathway for Saudi Arabia To Reach Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2060

Long-Term Decarbonization Pathway for Saudi Arabia To Reach Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2060

Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the 2015 Paris Agreement. It has updated its nationally determined contributions commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 278 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) by 2030. In the lead-up to COP 26 and joining the global efforts, under the umbrella program of the Saudi Green Initiative, Saudi Arabia announced its pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.

29th November 2023
Implications of Climate Policy on Energy Poverty

Implications of Climate Policy on Energy Poverty

This article examines the complex issue of energy poverty and its various dimensions, including energy access and affordability. It explores the challenges of addressing energy poverty and the trade-offs that may exist between energy poverty and climate change policy.

13th November 2023
Closing the Investment Gap to Achieve Paris Agreement Goals

Closing the Investment Gap to Achieve Paris Agreement Goals

This study aims to assess the alignment of global sustainable financial flows with transition investment priorities. First, we identify investment gaps based on the difference between the required annual investment to meet global net-zero emissions (NZE) targets and current investment flows. Our assessment reveals that nearly all countries must significantly accelerate their efforts, as their current investment levels fall short of what is required. Second, and perhaps more importantly, investment gaps are particularly large for non-Annex I (developing) countries. Financing these large-scale investments continues to be a major global challenge. The size of global environmental, social and governance (ESG) finance remains low. Specifically, despite their large investment gaps, developing countries receive only a minor share of global ESG funds, where access to conventional finance is already limited. 

9th October 2023
Role Of LPG In Enabling A Just And Inclusive Energy Transition In Africa And The Arab Region

Role Of LPG In Enabling A Just And Inclusive Energy Transition In Africa And The Arab Region

Globally, 2.3 billion people still lack access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking (CFTs) today, with an overwhelming majority residing in rural areas. Without a dramatic increase in investment and action for scalable solutions, 1.9 billion people will remain without access to clean cooking in 2030. This stark reality highlights the urgency for action, underlined by the Clean Cooking Alliance’s (CCA) strategy, which emphasizes the need for annual investments of at least $10 billion to achieve universal clean cooking access by 2030, compared with the existing funding shortfall of less than 1.5% of that value $130 million each year).

14th December 2023
Climate Futures Report

Climate Futures Report

Saudi Arabia, a country characterized by its vast deserts, unique geographical features, and rich cultural heritage, stands at the precipice of a transformative challenge: adapting to the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. As global temperatures continue to rise due to the accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, Saudi Arabia is projected to experience more rapid changes in its climate patterns compared to other regions. This will not only intensify climate-related risks across the country, but also profoundly impact biodiversity, freshwater resources, agricultural productivity, industry and economy, and the health and well-being of its people.

1st November 2023
Chapter 7. Energy and Industry

Chapter 7. Energy and Industry

This chapter examines the potential impacts of climate change on Saudi Arabia’s energy sector under a 3-degree world, with a focus on domestic energy infrastructure and its related economic and productivity impacts. Given that studies assessing such aspects are lacking, potential impacts are explored using existing knowledge, focusing on the role of climate variability, expectations related to extreme weather events, and known vulnerabilities within the sector. The broader context of international policy, particularly those concerning energy exports and associated geopolitics, remains a complex backdrop. That dimension warrants its own comprehensive exploration to fully grasp the impacts of both climate change and international climate policy on the Kingdom’s economy and its role in the global energy ecosystem.

1st November 2023
3-Degrees Warmer World

3-Degrees Warmer World

This is the intro chapter in a report that KAPSARC are publishing in collaboration with KAUST and AEON Startegy. The chapter sets the stage for the report, which will present a broad perspective on the implications of a 3°C warmer world, highlighting how this scenario may challenge different aspects of the natural, social, and economic landscapes over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

1st November 2023

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