The Kingdom is on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, according to Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), who spoke to media outlet Mubasher.
During the Gateway Gulf 2024 event in Manama, Alkhulaif said in an interview that the Bahraini government is collaborating with the private sector.
The government communicates with the companies that record carbon emissions, the minister said in response to a question about carbon emissions, adding, “The number of companies which generated emissions is less than 10 businesses. Every day, these businesses collaborate and communicate in order to achieve the Zero Neutrality plan.”
The pledges to achieve climate neutrality, she continued, align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which calls on nations to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming in the face of a warning that the state of the climate portends calamity.
“Bahrain will start its biggest renewable energy project,” Alkhulaif stated, adding that all the specifics will be revealed soon.
“We are never behind. We double our efforts in the renewable energy industry like with installing solar panels on the rooftops of government buildings in addition to dealing with the challenges of limited surfaces dedicated to large-scale solar farms,” the Minister said.
Alkhulaif responded to a query regarding Bahrain EDB by stating that the board consistently makes investments in the energy sector, adding, “Bahrain EDB recently attracted USD 16.65 million in expected investments to set up and expand three leading Indian companies focused on industry, renewable energy, and information and communications technology (ICT).”
Regarding Gateway Gulf 2024, which came to an end on November 4th with agreements and deals worth over USD 12 billion, the Minister reaffirmed the relationship between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, saying, “There are ongoing cooperation and partnerships in all fields, namely finance, economy, and investment.”