Kingdom registers 40% of the Arab world’s sustainable construction initiatives, driven by growing environmental awareness and population demands.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leader in green building projects across the Arab world, registering over 2,000 sustainable construction initiatives, as revealed during the 14th annual Saudi Green Building Forum in Riyadh. With a booming population and increasing environmental awareness, the Kingdom has seen rapid growth in energy-efficient structures and the adoption of eco-friendly materials.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, highlighted these achievements in his opening speech, noting that the Kingdom’s efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create more sustainable urban environments. He emphasised that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, enhancing the efficiency of natural resource use, and improving urban living standards remains steadfast.

The Saudi green building market is projected to generate $16.4 billion in revenue this year, with expectations of reaching $33.0 billion by 2030, according to Prescient & Strategic Intelligence. This impressive growth is attributed to both public and private sector investments in sustainable urban development, driven by an emphasis on reducing environmental impact and improving quality of life.

In addition to Al-Hogail’s remarks, Waleed Al-Naim, Deputy Chief Engineer at Aramco, announced a $1.5 billion sustainability fund to tackle climate challenges, further underscoring Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the region’s sustainability efforts.

The Saudi Contractors Authority also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the forum to promote sustainable practices, offering training, accreditation, and knowledge exchange initiatives. This move will help ensure the localisation of sustainable development goals and provide necessary skills to the construction sector, further enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing in the green building industry.

This year’s forum also focused on the integration of green standards into city planning and infrastructure development, addressing key issues such as climate resilience and desertification. By fostering partnerships between the government and private sectors, Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen its role in sustainable development and address future environmental challenges. Since its establishment in 2010, the Saudi Green Building Forum has positioned the Kingdom as a key player in sustainable development, earning recognition from the UN Economic and Social Council. The forum continues to drive forward the national sustainability agenda, shaping the future of green building and urban development across the region.