Analysis of factors mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Saudi Arabia

Purpose This paper focuses on the commitment of a leading Middle Eastern country – Saudi Arabia – to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG13, climate preservation. This paper aims to investigate the determinants of greenhouse gas emissions by examining their correlation with economic growth, population growth, renewable energies, forest area, digitalization and monetary policy. Design/methodology/approach This research observes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the potential influencing factors during 1990–2023. It employs the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) after testing the stationarity of the variables. Findings The findings show that population growth, gross domestic product (GDP) growth, percentage of individuals using the internet and forest rents are significant determinants of carbon oxide (CO2) emissions. Further, methane (CH4) emissions are significantly associated with population growth, GDP growth, percentage of individuals using the internet and renewable internal freshwater resources. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions depend significantly on the percentage of individuals using the internet and renewable internal freshwater resources. Practical implications This research helps policymakers in Saudi Arabia and worldwide identify the factors moderating GHG emissions, and accordingly design targeted interventions. These initiatives would substantially reduce GHG and further global climate goals. Additionally, focusing on Saudi Arabia, a significant emerging country in the Middle East, has broader implications. The findings offer insights that extend beyond its borders, providing valuable lessons for governments in the Middle East and worldwide to assess and improve their initiatives toward SDG13. Therefore, monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in this key country boosts global progress toward the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, this paper aligns with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) by leveraging academic and managerial strategies toward sustainability and climate action initiatives. Originality/value This study adds to the limited literature on the determinants of GHG emissions in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in Saudi Arabia. In addition to CO2, it also focuses on CH4 and N2O emissions. It shows the beneficial effect of renewable internal freshwater resources. It uses the ARDL model to distinguish between the short- and long-run associations.