The Red Sea Project's Approach to Environmental Responsibility

The Saudi Green Initiative

Saudi Arabia hopes to protect the interests of the next generation inside and outside the country through the efforts of many governmental agencies, private organizations, and international leaders through two separate green projects.

People can see the need to combat climate change throughout the Middle East and Africa. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events already have an effect on the quality of life and economic prospects, from increased desertification and dust storms that influence air quality to dwindling freshwater supplies. Saudi Arabia is pleased to play a pivotal role in leading international collaborations for a more sustainable global future, and the country is at the forefront of far-reaching, tailored action.

"We are ushering in a new green era for the region; in which we are collectively leading and reaping its fruits, in our joint belief that the effects of climate change are not limited to the natural environment only, but also to the economy and security of our nations" stated HRH Mohammed Bin Salman, Crown Prince And Prime Minister Of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Green Initiative was established to help the region rely more heavily on renewable energy sources, reduce its carbon footprint, and safeguard its natural resources. It's a conscious effort to reduce the region's dependence on oil and gas for economic and energy purposes.

The initiative's eight goals include things like rehabilitating 40 million acres of property and planting 10 billion trees by 2060. Most of the goals are geared towards improving the business and the environment by that year.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince unveiled the first project under the initiative, marking the beginning of the first wave of investments that will total more than SAR 700 billion.

Largest Ecotourism Initiative Ever Undertaken

As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, the Red Sea Project is a massive tourism and infrastructure development initiative in the kingdom. The Saudi Crown Prince announced the initiative in July 2017, and its goal is to provide visitors to the Red Sea coast with high-end, environmentally conscious tourism options.

The Red Sea Project is a large-scale urban redevelopment initiative located between the Saudi Arabian cities of Al Wajh and Umluj on the country's western shore. There is a world-class airport, along with a coastal town, a nursery for plants, a wilderness area, artificial islands, and more.

A focus on sustainability will inform the design of every location. All 17 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals will be reflected in the Red Sea Project. To accomplish this, we will implement several important initiatives, such as eliminating the use of single-use plastics, powering all attractions solely with renewable energy, and not sending any trash to landfills.

Once it's finished, it will be sustainable because of how well the number of visitors is controlled. Using a sophisticated destination management system to curb visitor numbers, tourism's negative effects on the natural world can be mitigated, if not eradicated entirely. By 2040, the site hopes to have achieved a net conservation gain of 30%.

Red Sea Global's planned destination will feature more than 90 islands spread across more than 28,000 square kilometres of untouched land and sea and will be a model of sustainable development and regenerative tourism. Keeping sustainability in mind, the underlying infrastructure prioritises the use of green energy sources and the recycling and reuse of water.

There are gorges in the mountains, extinct volcanoes, and historic landmarks to explore. Buildings for lodging, living, recreation, and amusement are all part of the Red Sea Project's plans.

The Red Sea is a window to Saudi Arabia's wealth and is opening up numerous commercial, cultural, and social prospects for the country.

Destination And Sustainability Woven Together

The Red Sea Development Company has tapped into the booming luxury travel industry, the increasing popularity of Saudi Arabia as a tourist location, and the growing interest in environmentally responsible practices.

The business is based on preserving and sharing cultural traditions, and it implements innovative strategies for sustainable growth to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. The company's ultimate goal is to reverse some of the harm that has already been done by the ecological and climate crisis and go beyond sustainability in doing so.

John Pagano, Group CEO at The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALA, describes what he terms "a regenerative development approach" as the first visitors prepare to arrive in the area by the end of the year. Putting forth minimal environmental impact is at the heart of sustainability. It is static, in contrast to regeneration's active pursuit of improvement. We delayed beginning our plans and building until we could incorporate the experts' input. We began to formulate ideas for the product we would create. And we worked with the Red Sea's top experts in research and understanding, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Through their collaboration, they were able to create the largest maritime spatial planning simulation ever conducted, covering an area of about 2.5 million square metres and including a 90-island archipelago. Following the assignment of conservation values, developers iterated on various concepts for the positioning of buildings and transportation corridors.

According to Pagano, the goals are lofty but not impossible to reach. We decided to aim for a 30% increase in net conservation worth rather than doing nothing at all. What should we do? More wetlands and coral reefs are being established. Our reef's coral appears to be uniquely adapted to the warmer waters and greater salinity of the Red Sea.

As part of the revitalization process, it has been necessary to make some difficult choices about where to construct new buildings and to commit to using only green energy sources.

Pagano specifically points out the Waqqadi Island, “White sandy beaches and clear, turquoise seas characterises this island perfectly. But we learned that the severely endangered hawksbill sea turtles preferred this island as a nesting ground.

“The island's development could hasten the demise of the species there. The talk didn't last long. To show our appreciation for the turtles' pioneering spirit, I have given each member of my staff and each visitor a small turtle pin to wear on their collar,” he said.

About 75 percent of the region's 90 islands will remain undeveloped, and several will be set aside as protected regions overseen by rangers but open to visitors only under strict conditions.

Pagano argues, “By our example, the rest of the world can see that excessive growth can be counterproductive. We're putting limits on our progress so that we can preserve and improve things, and maybe others will follow our example.”

With over 10% of the global GDP and employing nearly 1 in 4 people before the pandemic, the tourist and hospitality industry plays a significant part in Saudi Arabia's vision 2030 to diversify the economy. Religious travel to Mecca and Medina accounts for the vast majority of Saudi Arabia's 3.4% GDP contribution from tourism. The Red Sea is being used as a showcase for the kingdom's shift towards resort development and tourism; it has the potential to increase that number by as much as 1 percent and to directly create 60,000 jobs, with another 60,000 jobs dependent on the plan for both The Red Sea project and AMAALA.

Pagano argues that sustainability can also play a role in this context,” we aim to achieve day one carbon neutrality as part of our regeneration.

“ All of our transportation methods are eco-friendly. To further prove our dedication to sustainability, we're also researching options like hydrogen seaplanes and electric-powered aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing.

“Saudi Arabia, with its previously inaccessible culture, promises to be fascinating. The natural setting here is untouched. I believe it will go over well to celebrate it and to naturally protect and enhance it,” he concluded.

It's safe to say that Saudis are among the friendliest and most welcoming people on the planet. A greater understanding of Saudi Arabia and its people can be gained through tourism, which acts as a cultural bridge.