RIYADH — The International Energy Forum (IEF) Secretary General Joseph McMonigle commended the Kingdom of Bahrain on its pledge to reach net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2060.

The Bahraini Cabinet made the announcement days after Saudi Arabia and the UAE unveiled their net zero targets, in a flurry of climate diplomacy in the Gulf days before the start of the COP26 climate change conference due to be held in the UK on Oct. 31 – Nov. 12.

"The IEF commends the leadership of the kingdom of Bahrain for this important commitment, which places Bahrain at the forefront of climate ambition in the Gulf Cooperation Council," said McMonigle.

Bahrain's Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and Chief Executive of the Supreme Council for Environment, Dr. Mohamed Bin Mubarak Bin Daina, said: "Climate change is a global challenge that requires cooperation and joint responsibility.

“We encourage other countries to join the global community in achieving sustainable development by unlocking the potential of a greener economy and working together to keep 1.5 degrees alive."

The kingdom will adopt a circular carbon economy approach, whereby carbon dioxide is recycled, reused and removed from the atmosphere, using a range of technologies including carbon capture and afforestation, according to a statement on the official Bahrain News Agency.

The net-zero announcement brings the kingdom into line with other countries that have pledged to become climate neutral by 2060, including China and Saudi Arabia. Several other countries have pledged to achieve net-zero by 2050. — SG