Climeworks and KAPSARC Join Forces to Exlpore Direct Air Capture in Saudi Arabia

The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) has partnered with Climeworks, a global leader in carbon dioxide removal, to explore Direct Air Capture (DAC) solutions in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration, formalized during the 4th Saudi Green Initiative Forum, reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Alsaud, Minister of Energy and Chairman of KAPSARC’s Board of Trustees.

“This collaboration marks a significant step in exploring innovative carbon removal solutions tailored to Saudi Arabia’s unique context and large geological CO₂ storage capacity,” said Axel Pierru, KAPSARC’s Vice President of Knowledge & Analysis. “Our research shows the key role that the development of DAC in the Kingdom will potentially play in achieving a net-zero energy system, both domestically and globally.”

The partnership will leverage Saudi Arabia’s large geological CO₂ storage capacity, abundant low-carbon energy resources, and forward-thinking policies. These attributes make the Kingdom uniquely positioned to deploy scalable DAC systems, contributing to its Vision 2030 and Circular Carbon Economy framework.

“Saudi Arabia is an ideal location for Direct Air Capture technology, thanks to its abundant low-carbon energy resources, underground CO₂ storage potential, and forward-thinking policies that support innovative climate solutions,” said Christoph Gebald, Co-CEO of Climeworks.

The initiative aims to pioneer scalable carbon removal technologies while supporting workforce development and policy innovation. Findings from the collaboration will inform the development of DAC systems to meet global and domestic decarbonization goals.

As Saudi Arabia strengthens its role in the global sustainability landscape, the partnership between Climeworks and KAPSARC underscores its leadership in addressing climate challenges and advancing innovative carbon solutions.