Two KAUST professors, Sami Al-Ghamdi and Hussein Hoteit, have been selected as lead authors for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). Al-Ghamdi will contribute to the Asia chapter, while Hoteit will focus on carbon dioxide removal technologies. The AR7 report is expected to be completed in 2029 and will inform international climate policy. Why it matters: This appointment places KAUST at the forefront of global climate research and strengthens the university's influence on international climate policy.
A study co-authored by KAUST researchers and published in Science analyzes the intertwined climate and biodiversity crises, noting that human activities have altered roughly 75% of land and 66% of marine waters. Greenhouse-gas emissions amount to over 55 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, with global mean temperature increased by over 1.1 degrees Celsius since the preindustrial era. The study proposes an ambitious approach including emissions reduction, restoration, and cross-institutional alliances. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's contribution to global research on pressing environmental challenges and informs strategies for regional sustainable development initiatives.