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Raed Albasseet

June 06, 2025 22:40

Environmental challenges know no borders. From rising temperatures to biodiversity loss, these issues demand collective action. In ��������, we are responding to this global call through a model grounded in partnership, collaborating with international organizations, scientific institutions and private innovators to deliver lasting environmental protection.

Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has embarked on a transformative journey to decarbonize its economy and restore its ecosystems. But what is especially powerful is how this journey is being shaped not only by local resolve but by global cooperation. Across ministries, research centers and giga-projects, �������� is partnering with the world to deliver outcomes that serve both people and planet.

At the heart of ��������’s environmental agenda is the Saudi Green Initiative — a program aiming to plant 10 billion trees, rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 278 million tonnes per year. SGI has aligned with global partners such as the UN Environment Programme, UNFCCC and the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org platform, helping to situate the Kingdom’s afforestation and restoration efforts within a broader planetary framework.

Agricultural resilience is also receiving international support. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture works closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN on sustainable aquaculture and dryland farming. Through its participation in the Global Soil Partnership, �������� is contributing to global knowledge on soil health in arid regions — a vital issue for food security in a warming world.

Progress would be impossible without science. The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has emerged as a world-class partner in marine science, working with multiple entities to inform data-driven conservation. Their work with the Kingdom’s smart city, NEOM, for example, includes coral reef restoration and coastal habitat mapping powered by advanced robotics and AI.

On the wildlife front, the National Center for Wildlife is collaborating with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and CITES to safeguard native species. From Arabian oryx reintroductions to hawksbill turtle protection, these programs are helping to rebuild the Kingdom’s ecological heritage.

Similarly, the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification has been instrumental in driving desert restoration. Through its leadership role in the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and as the host of COP16, �������� is demonstrating how arid nations can lead in the global fight against land degradation. Its mangrove and seagrass restoration pilots are already informing policy across the region.

In my role as group chief environment and sustainability officer at Red Sea Global, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaboration. Our flagship regenerative tourism destinations — The Red Sea and AMAALA — are not only redefining travel but also setting new standards for environmental stewardship.

Sustainability is embedded in every stage of our projects, from development to daily operations. Whether it is through the use of renewable energy, innovative waste management systems or biodiversity conservation, our goal is to reduce our environmental footprint and ensure the long-term health of the region.

Our commitment is demonstrated through continuous environmental monitoring, strong partnerships and bold sustainability targets.

From government ministries to giga-projects, we are inviting the world to join us — not just as observers, but as co-creators of a greener future.

Raed Albasseet

We worked with KAUST to conduct the largest marine spatial planning simulation ever undertaken in ��������, allowing us to design with precision and avoid ecological harm.

We are also among the first developers in the world to have all operational resorts LEED-certified, working closely with the US Green Building Council to achieve the highest sustainability standards. Today, we hold the most LEED Platinum–certified hospitality assets of any single developer globally.

Beyond our project sites, our environmental team contributes to the global knowledge base through peer-reviewed research and international conferences, including the International Association for Impact Assessment, where we have shared scientific insights on regenerative development and large-scale conservation planning.

Through our partnership with The Ocean Race, we are advancing ocean literacy among Saudi youth, while positioning AMAALA as host of the Race’s 2027 Grand Finale.

On the infrastructure side, our multi-utilities agreement with EDF Group and Masdar enables AMAALA to be powered entirely by the sun, eliminating 350,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year. And through our collaboration with the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, we are embedding sustainable fishing practices into the heart of our destination’s food systems — protecting biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods.

These efforts form only a fraction of ��������’s broader journey. But they reflect a truth I believe in deeply: When knowledge, resources and values are shared across borders, we can do more than sustain the environment — we can regenerate it.

��������’s environmental transformation is still unfolding, but the trajectory is clear. It is a story of shared responsibility. From government ministries to giga-projects, we are inviting the world to join us — not just as observers, but as co-creators of a greener future.

If collaboration is the climate solution, �������� is becoming one of its strongest conveners. And as the world looks to scale up its environmental impact, the Kingdom stands ready to collaborate, contribute and lead where it matters most.

* Raed Albasseet is head of environment and sustainability at The Red Sea Development Company.