This archive report was first published on 23 October 2021.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's announcement comes ahead of the COP26 global climate summit, which is set to take place in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, 2021.
The kingdom aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030, more than doubling the target announced earlier.
Saudi Arabia will also join a global effort to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, as part of its commitment to deliver a cleaner, greener future.
Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the 2060 target would enable the kingdom to have a smooth and viable transition, without risking economic or social impacts.
COP26 President Alok Sharma welcomed the announcement, saying he hoped it would galvanise ambition from others ahead of the summit.
Energy giant Saudi Aramco, the kingdom's cash cow, has also committed to being a net zero enterprise by 2050.
The company's chief executive, Amin Nasser, said the transition would be complex, but they were confident they could meet the challenges and accelerate their efforts to a low emission future.
Saudi Arabia is estimated to emit about 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, more than France and slightly less than Germany.
The kingdom has also unveiled a campaign to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions, including a plan to plant billions of trees in the coming decades.
Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, said the land conservation move was critical, as the kingdom aims to diversify its economy and preserve its environment.
