Saudi Arabia faces a number of environmental challenges, the most significant of which are: contaminated well water, cement plant waste, increased sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emission, land degradation and desertification, and others that may result in increased pollution and environmental risks. These challenges are brought on by continuous population growth, rapid urbanization, increased demand for water and energy, as well as economic development requirements.
International efforts and initiatives to protect the environment
Saudi Arabia plays a leading role in reducing the effects of climate change and carbon emissions. Given its abundant resources and experience managing global energy stability, the Kingdom is well positioned to usher in a new era of climate action and significantly contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proud to sign several international initiatives demonstrating that climate action knows no borders, the most prominent of which are:
- PARTNERING WITH THE GLOBAL OCEAN ALLIANCE TO PROTECT OUR OCEANS: In October 2021 His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, announced that Saudi Arabia was joining the Global Ocean Alliance, an international organization dedicated to ocean conservation. A core goal of the Alliance is safeguarding at least 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 through marine protected areas. His Royal Highness also announced the establishment of the Ocean Exploration Foundation, which will be responsible for conducting research and exploration of the world's oceans. These initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s larger goal of being a leader in marine conservation.
- CUT METHANE EMISSIONS: Reducing methane emissions is critical to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Saudi Arabia is committed to contributing to cutting global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 as part of its ambition to deliver a cleaner, greener future. The Global Methane Pledge is an important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the Kingdom is proud to be a part of it.
- GUIDING AND SUPPORTING GLOBAL SPORTS ACTORS: To amplify climate-positive collaboration across the international sporting community, Saudi Arabia has joined the UN Sports for Climate Action Initiative. By contributing to this UNFCCC climate action initiative, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating how global climate goals can be achieved through whole-of-society action, a goal enshrined in the framework put in place as part of Saudi Green Initiative.
- SAUDI GREEN INITIATIVE: A whole-of-society initiative that empowers all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia to create and innovate to deliver a green future.
- ABOUT MIDDLE EAST GREEN INITIATIVE: An initiative working to scale up regional climate action through cooperation and investment, bringing the region together to collectively contribute towards achieving global climate goals.
Local campaigns and projects to preserve the environment
Green Riyadh Project: In line with the Saudi Green Initiative, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City launched the Green Riyadh Project, one of the most ambitious afforestation projects in the world. It includes the planting of more than 7.5 million trees throughout the city of Riyadh, which contributes to improving air quality, reducing temperatures in the city, and encouraging residents to practice a more active lifestyle in line with the goals and directions of Saudi Vision 2030.
Environment Week: A national environmental event approved by the Council of Ministers that aims to raise community environmental awareness, achieve environmental sustainability, preserve natural resources, and reduce pollution of all kinds. Many events, programs, and initiatives are held throughout the Kingdom with the participation of individuals and the governmental, private, and non-profit sectors.
Vegetation & Combating Desertification
The agricultural sector in the Kingdom is facing a number of challenges, either due to natural causes or human activities, resulting in low soil fertility and high desertification. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification was established in accordance with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to promote sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Its mission is to overcome environmental challenges affecting vegetation cover, restore biodiversity, and capitalize on available opportunities.
Because soil is so important to plant growth and the health of its consumers and the organisms that live in it, the Kingdom has helped to reduce its pollution by establishing the Soil Quality Department, which is affiliated to the National Center of Meteorology and is in charge of several tasks, including supervising and following up on soil quality monitoring and control programs, conducting environmental surveys of soil pollutants and preparing the necessary database, implementing the provisions and obligations contained in regional and international agreements on soil pollution and conservation, reviewing and auditing engineering designs for landfills, rehabilitation of techniques for waste treatment and disposal, issuance of periodic reports related to soil quality, and others.
Water is one of the most important pillars of economic and social development, as it is essential for meeting human needs, managing the environment and ensuring the sustainability of economic development. Despite the importance of water, Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges owing to the unsustainable use of water resources, as well as limited stocks of non-renewable groundwater, which are experiencing accelerated depletion. Under arid climatic conditions, renewable water is scarce, and high-water demand in the agricultural sector is exacerbating the problem of water scarcity in the Kingdom. Water and sanitation in the urban sector represent a high cost to the State, service levels require improved quality, and the sector requires improved institutional conditions and governance mechanisms. The work contains several elements, including involvement of stakeholders and assessment of the current state of the sector across a range of dimensions, such as demand for water, water resources, sector operations and enabling factors, and identifies the nature and magnitude of the gaps between supply and demand, as well as the economies of the sector under different scenarios.
Protecting the environment of the surrounding air is one of the main tasks and duties of the General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection which seeks to establish and follow up the application of standards related to air quality. This comes within the framework of the Basic Law of Governance and the ruling regime that emphasizes on the health of human beings and the protection of the environment. As everywhere else, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing difficult challenges in environmental action, which requires more effort and coordination regionally and internationally. Moreover, the environmental pollution resulting from industrial development is a primary source that adversely affects human health through poisoning due to air and water pollution, some foodstuffs, or directly affecting the body's vital functions. In some cases, the effect might reach the origin of hereditary disorders. Moreover, the main objective of Air Quality Management that is a part of The General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection is to study and evaluate the air quality in Saudi Arabia, study the status of the air environment in Saudi Arabia, and determine the most polluted areas and draw up the necessary plans and solutions to reduce this pollution and the various methods used to reduce pollution rates in the future.