| King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center | |
| Native Name: | مركز الملك عبدالله للدراسات والبحوث البترولية |
| Abbreviation: | KAPSARC |
| Formation: | 2007 |
| Status: | Active |
| Purpose: | Advisory think tank |
| Coords: | 24.8792°N 46.7221°W |
| Leader Title: | Chair of the Board of Trustees |
| Leader Name: | HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al-Saud |
| Leader Title2: | President |
| Leader Name2: | Fahad Alajlan |
| Leader Title3: | Acting VP of Knowledge and Analysis |
| Leader Name3: | Axel Pierru |
| Leader Title4: | VP of Finance and Operations |
| Leader Name4: | Saad Al Qarni |
The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) is an advisory organization specializing in energy economics, climate, and sustainability that seeks to advance Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and inform global policies through evidence-based advice and applied research.[1] It is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[2]
In 2020 KAPSARC was ranked by the University of Pennsylvania Think Tank and Civil Societies Program as 13th place out of 60th in its list of global top Energy and Resource Policy think tanks. It was ranked 15th out of 103 in the MENA Think Tank Index 2019.[3]
In 2023, the center announced its recent accreditation of observer status by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), actively participating in global dialogues about energy, climate, and the environment.[4] in addition to its role as an observer to the climate negotiation in the UN Climate Change Conference. [5] [6]
KAPSARC was inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in 2016,[7] KAPSARC's activities are funded in perpetuity by an endowment provided by the Government of Saudi Arabia.[8]
KAPSARC's Board of Trustees has controlling authority over the center's affairs, policies and governance. Chaired by the Minister of Energy (HRH Prince Abdilaziz Bin Salman Al-Saud), it comprises the president, three international members and three Saudi members.[9] The center is supported by the International Advisory Council (IAC), a group of energy thought leaders who advise the center on its ongoing projects.[10]
The IAC meets once a year and consists of members of national, regional and international stature, such as Majid Al-Moneef, Turki Al-Saud, Jin-Yong Cai, Daniel Yergin, Sunita Narain, Richard Newell, Adnan Shihab-Eldin and others.[11]
The KAPSARC campus in Riyadh contains both a Residential Campus (called the REC, located on the west side) and a Research and Office Complex (called the ROC, on the east side).[12] The 70,000 square meters[13] Research and Office Complex was designed by Zaha Hadid, and supported by Event Communications.[14] [15] Hadid received the commission after a 2009 design competition. It opened in October 2017[16] and received a LEED Platinum certification. The complex consists of five interlocking buildings, a research center, a computer center, a conference center, a library and the Musalla, a place for prayer.[17]
In 2019, KAPSARC created four energy-economics products. The products will provide insights and recommendations for energy security, diversify economic resources, and curb climate change.[18] One of its models is called the KAPSARC Energy Model (KEM).[19]
In 2019 the center's publications in 10 initiatives – including energy, economy, oil, electricity, transportation, and climate change – rose by 32.5% compared with 2018, from 86 to 114 studies.[20]
The center introduced more than 1250 open-access models and research tools to advance the understanding of energy economics and environment policy pathways.[21]
In 2022, KAPSARC launched the second edition of the Circular Carbon Economy Index, a tool to compare how 64 countries are deploying various methods and technologies to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Launched during the UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, the CCE Index covers 90% of the global economy and carbon emissions. The number of countries included in the Index has increased from 30 to 64, compared with the first index that was launched during COP26 in Glasgow.
The launched CCE is based on four Rs, namely, reducing, recycling, reusing, and removing..[22] [23]
KAPSARC worked alongside the Saudi G20 secretariat on programs that are associated with the G20 Summit hosted in Riyadh in 2020.
KAPSARC and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) held the Think20 (T20) Inception Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 19–20, 2020[24]
KAPSARC represented Saudi Arabia at the T20 summit in Buenos Aires in September 2018 and participated in the T20 inception meeting for 2019 that was held in Tokyo in December 2018.[25]
The T20 is an engagement group that contributes to the G20 by providing research-based policy recommendations to the G20. The T20 presented vital policy recommendations developed by T20 Saudi Arabia task forces for consideration by the Leaders of G20 member countries during their summit in Riyadh in November 2020.[26]
The Inception Conference convened more than 150 institutions and think tanks, and over 550 attendees from 65 countries,[27] to discuss issues covering climate and energy, women and youth, innovation and technology, multilateralism, economic development and finance, food security and access to water.
IAEE
In 2023, KAPSARC in collaboration with the Saudi Association for Energy Economics (SAEE) organized the 44th International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) annual conference at KAPSARC, Riyadh from February 4-8, 2023. It was the first time the IAEE conference held in the Middle East region.
The conference was held under the theme “Pathways to a Clean, Stable and Sustainable Energy Future.” It aims to provide a platform for experts and specialists to share their knowledge in the field of conventional and renewable energy, environmental challenges and the stability of energy markets.https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/621307/BUSINESS/44th-IAEE-Conference-to-address-7-critical-topics
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KAPSARC, inaugurated the 44th International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) Conference, in Riyadh.
KAPSARC has the strength of its international ties with more than 24 research institutes, public policy organizations and government institutions worldwide. They include:
The center has also signed an MOU with SEC,[28] GCCIA[29] and ECRA[30] to develop the future of electricity in Saudi Arabia and optimize electricity trade between GCC and MENA countries.