Environment and Sustainable Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Current Status and Future Strategy

Abstract

Air quality deterioration in urban areas; high energy demand and consumption due to regional population growth and economic development; concerns about safe drinking water supplies due to a scarcity of fresh water; air quality deterioration, industrial pollution, waste management, and pollution in coastal areas; and subsequent stress on marine ecosystems are all major environmental challenges being faced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For effective protection of the environment, an interdisciplinary approach within a sustainable framework, which integrates human needs with economic development and environmental protection, is required. This paper presents an overview of Saudi Arabia's major environmental problems and challenges and offers opportunities to use economic growth, social equity, and protection of the environment as interrelated components. The role of active participation by governments, stakeholders, businesses, academic institutions, and individuals in the decision-making process and an inter-disciplinary research approach will be identified for each major environmental issue.

Sustainable Development and Governance in Saudi Cities

“…As regards the issue of coordination between multiple actors and sectors, most interviewees said environmental governance still lacks strategic structures for multi-level and multi-agency collaboration. Interviewees confirmed the result of previous research [37,45] conducted in the Saudi context. This research indicates that, although MOMRA and GAMEP agencies played major roles in developing mature spatial planning policies and environmental laws alongside legal regimes, the quality of their management systems and urban policies remains far below the prescribed goals of environmental sustainability.…”

“…These demands have pressurized environmental capacity by increasing pollutants. The agencies in charge of environmental protection and public health are themselves pressurized [37].…”

The burden of disease in Saudi Arabia 1990–2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

“… 46 Along with these issues, Saudi Arabia's electricity consumption is one of the highest in the world, and it uses almost double the water that other countries use on average. 48 Renewable energy sources have been proposed as one measure to address these challenges; 49 however, enhancement in specific environmental sustainability policies is needed. Based on our data analysis, air pollution, unsafe water, and other environmental factors remain in the top 17 health risks for Saudi Arabia in 2017.…”

Assessment of the Environmental Performance of Factories in the Treatment of Emissions and Residues of Production in Saudi Arabia

“…One of the management practices to improve the dedication of workers to green actions is to create a system of encouragement and reward [25]. New industrial set-ups with a probability of having a deterring impact on the environment should organize research on Environmental Impact Assessment along with Agenda 21 requirements [26]. These studies are required to be organized, filed (along with any necessary mitigation plans), and permitted to get environmental licenses to activate business in a particular area.…”