Saudi Arabia and Russia Go on the Offense at Climate Talks

  • World’s largest oil producers have pledged net-zero emissions
  • New tactics reflect desire to secure long-term future for oil
Bill Winters, Lorenzo Simonelli, Jennifer Holmgren, Matthew Harris, Henrik Andersen, Abdulaziz bin Salman, and Yousef Gamal El-Din, during a panel session at FII on Oct. 27.Photographer: Tasneem Alsultan/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

After Saudi Arabia announced it planned to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, the instant reaction for many was incredulity and bemusement.

On social media commentators competed to find the best analogies: it’s like an abattoir saying its canteen will only serve vegetarian food, said one. Another quipped it sounded like a tobacco company announcing it’s quitting smoking.