Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Industrial Processes and Product Use Sector of Saudi Arabia—An Emerging Challenge

Muhammad Muhitur Rahman, Mohammad Shahedur Rahman, Saidur R. Chowdhury, Alaeldeen Elhaj, Shaikh Abdur Razzak, Syed Abu Shoaib, Md Kamrul Islam, Mohammed Monirul Islam, Sayeed Rushd and Syed Masiur Rahman
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Muhammad Muhitur Rahman: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Shahedur Rahman: Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 13318, Saudi Arabia
Saidur R. Chowdhury: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, P.O. Box 1664, Al Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia
Alaeldeen Elhaj: Applied Research Center for Environment & Marine Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31260, Saudi Arabia
Shaikh Abdur Razzak: Department of Chemical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Syed Abu Shoaib: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Md Kamrul Islam: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Monirul Islam: Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Sayeed Rushd: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Syed Masiur Rahman: Applied Research Center for Environment & Marine Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31260, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-18

Abstract: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been experiencing consistent growth in industrial processes and product use (IPPU). The IPPU’s emission has been following an increasing trend. This study investigated time-series and cross-sectional analyses of the IPPU sector. Petrochemical, iron and steel, and cement production are the leading source categories in the Kingdom. In recent years, aluminum, zinc, and titanium dioxide production industries were established. During the last ten years, a significant growth was observed in steel, ethylene, direct reduce iron (DRI), and cement production. The growth of this sector depends on many factors, including domestic and international demand, socioeconomic conditions, and the availability of feedstock. The emissions from IPPU without considering energy use was 78 million tons of CO 2 equivalent (CO 2 eq) in 2020, and the cement industry was the highest emitter (35.5%), followed by petrochemical (32.3%) and iron and steel industries (16.8%). A scenario-based projection analysis was performed to estimate the range of emissions for the years up to 2050. The results show that the total emissions could reach between 199 and 426 million tons of CO 2 eq in 2050. The Kingdom has started initiatives that mainly focus on climate change adaptation and economic divergence with mitigation co-benefits. In general, the focus of such initiatives is the energy sector. However, the timely accomplishment of the Saudi Vision 2030 and Saudi Green Initiative will affect mitigation scenarios significantly, including in the IPPU sector. The mitigation opportunities for this sector include (i) energy efficiency, (ii) emissions efficiency, (iii) material efficiency, (iv) the re-use of materials and recycling of products, (v) intensive and longer use of products, and (vi) demand management. The results of this study will support the Kingdom in developing an appropriate climate change mitigation roadmap.

Keywords: petrochemicals; cement; industrial material; climate change; greenhouse gas; Saudi Vision 2030 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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