Saudi oil minister Ali I. Al-Naimi gave a jaw dropping speech in London, absolutely rejecting absurd claims by U.S. Republicans that pumping oil creates jobs and that government investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, education and healthcare takes jobs away.
His statement that pumping oil creates few jobs
We know that our ultimate resource is the young people of Saudi Arabia. In this we are no different from any other country, including the UK. We know that pumping oil out of the ground does not create many jobs. It does not foster an entrepreneurial spirit, nor does it sharpen critical faculties.
So our investment is focused on creating jobs and employment opportunities. For many years we have invested billions of dollars educating our young people, investing in vocational training, and building educational establishments within the Kingdom. We are also investing in research and development. I should add that we are also continuing to make further investments in other critical areas, particularly healthcare and physical infrastructure.
If anyone knows the economics of oil, it's the Saudi oil minister. What's shocking is that he told the truth about jobs, government investment, economics and climate change. Of course, the Saudi oil minister is committed to continued oil production, but he recognizes limits to economic growth and natural resources, unlike Republicans.
His statement on climate change.
Greenhouse gas emissions and global warming are among humanity’s most pressing concerns. Societal expectations on climate change are real, and our industry is expected to take a leadership role. We are doing this in Saudi Arabia.
His statement on energy efficiency
Ladies and gentlemen, collaboration, discussion and partnership are vital in these dynamic times, and that is certainly true in terms of my second point here today, energy efficiency. The efficient use of energy is as much an issue for Saudi Arabia, with its huge natural resources, as it is for all countries. Increased efficiency makes sense environmentally, but also economically.
And it is only by working together that countries can find solutions to these global problems.
It is clear that the Kingdom’s rapid economic growth is creating additional demands on existing energy systems. As such, we have embarked on a number of ambitious programmes to enhance energy efficiency in the industrial, Government, commercial, and residential sectors.
We are striving, also, to raise awareness among the public, and specifically addressing children and schools about the tangible benefits of energy efficiency. And we are investing manpower, and brainpower, in efforts to develop new thinking when it comes to energy efficiency.
His statement on solar and renewable power
I see renewable energy sources as supplementing existing sources, helping to prolong our continued export of crude oil. And this is why we are investing in solar energy, which we also have in abundance. The Kingdom experiences roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, emitting about 7,000 watts of energy per square metre. Saudi Arabia also features empty stretches of desert that can host solar arrays and it is blessed with deposits of quartz that can be used in the manufacture of silicon photovoltaic cells.
I know that many European countries are investing in solar technology, but that the economics of it are increasingly difficult to justify in these straightened times. It is an area where I see huge potential for collaboration and partnership between Saudi and European companies – and real potential for job creation.
Saudi Arabia is a conservative country with a conservative government. The speech given by the Saudi oil minister is consistent with maintaining the conservative Saudi monarchy. Yet, compared to speeches given by U.S. Republicans, it appears to be honest and progressive. That's a symptom of the reality that the Republican party is now run by far-right extremists and funded by modern day John Birchers, e.g. the Koch Brothers. Surprisingly, the statements and proposed policies of the Saudi oil minister are compatible with the statements and proposed policies of the U.S. Democratic party.