This article introduces the traditional definition of climate diplomacy and its modern evolution, emphasizing the close connection between climate issues and development issues such as energy transition and low-carbon economy. It is particularly pointed out that Saudi Arabia, as a major producer and exporter of oil, relies heavily on oil revenue for its economy, and global climate action poses a threat to its economic model and geopolitical status. In history, Saudi Arabia has intervened in global climate governance through procedural and substantive obstacles, including opposing the majority voting rule, delaying the negotiation process, questioning scientific validity, and other means. However, since King Salman came to power in 2015, Saudi Arabia has begun to shift its climate diplomacy stance and adopt a more proactive attitude, including launching initiatives such as the Green Middle East and Carbon Circular Economy, and updating its Nationally Determined Contributions program. There are two different views in academia on Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy policy: one believes that Saudi Arabia is obstructing international climate negotiations to protect its oil economy, and the other believes that Saudi Arabia is increasing its participation in global climate governance. Existing research focuses on Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy strategy and position changes, but lacks a systematic review of Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy strategy after Salman's rule. This article aims to fill this gap by systematically examining Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy strategy since Salman took office, analyzing its motives, content, and impact.

1、 Reasons for the Implementation of Saudi Arabia's Climate Diplomacy Strategy since Salman's Reign

The reasons for Saudi Arabia to implement its climate diplomacy strategy include responding to global climate action pressure, climate security risks and challenges, safeguarding energy interests, promoting economic diversification transformation, and serving the overall diplomatic transformation of the country. The acceleration of global climate action and the internationalization of the carbon neutrality agenda have put external pressure on Saudi Arabia to adopt proactive climate policies. Climate change has a negative impact on the ecological environment of Saudi Arabia, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, land desertification and salinization, and rising sea levels. Saudi Arabia's oil resources face challenges in the global low-carbon transformation process, requiring climate diplomacy to safeguard energy interests, balance emission reduction commitments with fossil energy benefits, and leverage energy capital in global geopolitics. Saudi Arabia's' 2030 Vision 'aims to break free from dependence on oil and achieve economic diversification and sustainable development. Climate diplomacy can help introduce foreign investment in green industries, technology and raw material cooperation, and ensure the supply of key minerals. Climate diplomacy also serves Saudi Arabia's diplomatic transformation, expanding cooperation with developing countries and the United States, reducing dependence on Western allies, and enhancing strategic autonomy.

2、 The main contents of Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy strategy since Salman took office

Since Salman took office, Saudi Arabia has actively promoted a climate diplomacy strategy aimed at safeguarding the country's development interests based on energy capital, and seeking effective utilization of surplus energy and a first mover advantage in the field of clean energy in the global trend of energy decarbonization. Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy strategy is mainly reflected at three levels: global, regional, and bilateral.

3、 The impact and limitations of Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy strategy since Salman took office

Since Salman took office, Saudi Arabia has actively participated in global climate governance through climate diplomacy actions, which have had a positive impact on developing countries' joint efforts to address climate change, promote global economic green development and energy transformation, and improve its international image. As a core power in the fossil energy supply system, Saudi Arabia's shift in climate diplomacy demonstrates its willingness to participate in climate governance, which helps to form a collective effect and lead policy coordination among fossil energy suppliers. Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy actions can help safeguard the collective interests of developing countries in global climate action, promote climate cooperation in the Middle East through climate financing and other means, enhance the voice of Arab countries in international climate action, and alleviate the climate financing problems of developing countries. In addition, Saudi Arabia's shift towards climate diplomacy will help improve the country's reputation and image, create a responsible and modern national image, and divert international attention from Saudi Arabia's aggressive political behavior.

4、 Conclusion

After Salman took office, Saudi Arabia adopted a more proactive attitude towards global climate governance through climate diplomacy actions at the global, regional, and bilateral levels, despite challenges such as energy interests, domestic climate governance effectiveness, and geopolitical shifts in global climate action. The shift in Saudi Arabia's climate diplomacy has substantive significance for global climate action, especially after the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement. Saudi Arabia has not become a vassal of Europe and America, but has explored climate cooperation with emerging market countries such as China and India, and provided climate funding assistance to developing countries. As major greenhouse gas emitting countries and emerging economies, China and Saudi Arabia are seeking a balance between emission reduction commitments and economic development, facing the challenge of global low-carbon transformation, but also providing opportunities for the transformation and upgrading of domestic economic development models. The two countries have room for cooperation in clean energy development, carbon capture and storage industries, and should maintain a pragmatic and open attitude, explore more opportunities for cooperation, leverage the advantages of South South cooperation, and jointly promote global climate governance.