10 December 2014
GCC COP 20 Discussion Highlights Energy Efficiency Progress in the Gulf
story highlights

Participants addressed energy efficiency projects and programmes in Saudi Arabia and Qatar at 'Energy Efficiency in Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC),' an event convened by the Government of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the Lima Climate Change Conference.

The event highlighted economic diversification efforts in the GCC, as well as the importance of shifting to more energy efficient standards in the region to promote diversification.

limacop208 December 2014: Participants addressed energy efficiency projects and programmes in Saudi Arabia and Qatar at ‘Energy Efficiency in Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC),’ an event convened by the Government of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the Lima Climate Change Conference. The event highlighted economic diversification efforts in the GCC, as well as the importance of shifting to more energy efficient standards in the region to promote diversification.

Abdullah Al Sarhan, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, highlighted government awareness programmes and projects in response to an increase in energy consumption. He said the government is also involved in promoting energy efficiency in private projects. He drew attention to the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, which is responsible for the demand-side management of energy projects, and the Saudi Energy Efficiency Programme for transportation, buildings and industry. Al Sarhan noted the guiding principles of the programme include: a focus on demand side management; a programme design which does not include price reform; a design based on end-user impact; and initiatives based on consensus with the government.

Baker Fallatah, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), presented the company’s sustainability efforts, saying it is one of the world’s most diversified companies with over 10,000 patent filings. He highlighted the creation of sustainability teams, standardization of reporting methodologies, incentives for sustainability performance, awareness-raising efforts and continuous experience-sharing with external partners. According to Fallatah, the sustainability programme aims to create economic value, protect natural capital, invest in people and engage the community. The efforts have resulted in a 2% decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a 5% increase in energy efficiency.

Abdallah Al Khulaifi, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), noted the utility’s efforts to promote energy efficiency, including labeling for air conditioners, a lamp phase-out programme, power-sector lighting programmes and a light-emitting diode (LED) street lighting project. Al Khulaifi stressed the importance of law enforcement and community awareness programmes in addressing energy and water efficiency, as well as internal company conservation regulations for lighting control systems and high efficiency motors.

In the discussion, participants considered: the benefits of energy efficiency programmes; building codes and other legislation in Qatar to promote energy efficiency; the need for sustainability reports to comply with international standards; and energy efficiency targets for Saudi Arabia. [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference] [GCC Event Announcement]


related events