RIYADH: The Middle East and North Africa region must diversify its energy mix to combat climate change in the long run, said a senior Saudi Energy Ministry official. Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the first day of the MENA Climate Week 2023, Najla Al-Sudairy, the policy and awareness head of the ministry’s Oil Sustainability Program, explained that the diversification is essential because a lot of the solutions viable in the region are not industry specific. Established under the Supreme Committee for Hydrocarbon Materials, OSP aims to support the global energy transition while ensuring a reliable, sustainable, affordable electricity mix. “I do believe that not only the region, but the world has specific and very different socioeconomic standings, and the purpose of these solutions is to be fit with regardless of where you stand, whether you are a developing or developed country,” Al-Sudairy said. She added: “That is why it’s very important that our energy mix is encompassing different solutions and not just one solution.” The executive highlighted that the region can implement different solutions depending on each country’s financial standing. “So, let’s say carbon capture, for example. These technologies are expensive ... but it could also be done in nature-based solutions by planting trees,” Al-Sudairy clarified. She emphasized that the viable solutions in the region should primarily address accessibility and ease of use. For example, OSP is leading the “clean fuel solutions for cooking” initiative. “This initiative basically is aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from replacing wood and coal with liquid petroleum, gas or solar,” Al-Sudairy emphasized. “The reason why our program is really leading this initiative is because the solution for rural areas is very different than urban areas, and the purpose of why we want to lead this initiative is to make sure that access is generated across different countries as well.” Held in collaboration with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the MENACW is a conference that brings together experts and policymakers and allows the Kingdom to highlight its energy transition efforts. Widely touted as one of the most significant events ahead of the UN climate conference in Dubai, or COP28, this November, the event will allow officials, activists and scientists to discuss ways to mitigate the effects of global warming.