The Environment Consultant

This post presents an overview of the Environmental Regulatory Framework in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Typically, the regulatory framework is addressed as a dedicated chapter within various environmental reports, including Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and baseline studies. In particular, this post outlines key policies and legal instruments relevant to the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA).

This overview captures the primary environmental regulations applicable in Saudi Arabia and is formatted to reflect the style commonly used in formal environmental documentation. However, it is important to note that not all regulations are applicable to every project. As such, assessment reports should exclude any irrelevant regulations and instead provide clear justification for the inclusion of those deemed applicable to the specific project context.

Regulatory Framework

The Regulatory Framework outlines the national regulations, guidelines, and international agreements and conventions to which Saudi Arabia, as a sovereign state, is a signatory. These regulations apply to the preservation of nature, and aim at guiding project proponents in the implementation of sustainable development practices.

National Regulations

According to Article No. 32 in the Basic Law of Governance (the equivalent of a national constitution, 1992), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia mandates environmental protection and conservation, stating that “The State shall seek to conserve, protect and develop the environment and prevent pollution.”

The groundwork for environmental protection across the Kingdom began with the first comprehensive Environmental Law, issued in September 2001 and enacted in October 2002, in the form of the General Environmental Regulation, by Resolution No. 193 of the Council of Ministers. At that time, the supervision of environmental affairs was under the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) within the Ministry of Defense.

In 2019, the country introduced significant changes to its regulatory bodies. The 2001 regulation was later superseded by a new Environment Regulation (Royal Decree No. 165 dated 19/11/1441; 10/07/2020), which came into effect in January 2021. These reforms included the redistribution of regulatory powers to five National Centers, operating under the authority of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA). These centers are:

• National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) is tasked with granting permits for the construction and operation of various developments, including those in industrial, agricultural, commercial, water and energy, mining, and other project sectors. Additionally, the NCEC establishes and enforces environmental standards and regulations while monitoring and managing pollution sources and their levels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• National Center for Wildlife (NCW) is primarily responsible for safeguarding and promoting the sustainability of both terrestrial and marine wildlife by implementing programs aimed at mitigating threats, rehabilitating endangered species, and preserving critical ecosystems.
• National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) was created to address desertification, facilitate development, restore forest vegetation, safeguard local endangered plant species, and oversee the management of national parks.
• National Center for Waste Management (known as MWAN), oversees the issuance of environmental permits for activities related to industrial waste management, including recycling, disposal, transportation, and other waste management functions. Depending on the type of project and its related activities, a permit may be required from both the NCEC and MWAN.
• National Center for Meteorology (NCM), tasked with monitoring weather conditions and providing alerts concerning the safety and wellbeing of individuals and property. The NCM aims to evaluate and utilize the nation’s natural resources most effectively.

Environmental Law

The Environmental Law is structured as follows:

• Chapter 1, Articles 1–5: General Provision: Defines key terms used in the legislation, outlines the purpose and goals of the law, and mandates that no activity with potential environmental impact may occur without the appropriate license or permit.
• Chapter 2, Articles 6–11: Ecological Communities and Water Resources Protection: Prohibits any activities that could negatively affect ecological resources or water bodies.
• Chapter 3, Articles 12–20: Land Vegetation: Lists activities that are not permitted in relation to land vegetation.
• Chapter 4, Articles 21–22: Marine and Coastal Environment: Prohibits any actions that may harm the marine or coastal ecosystems.
• Chapter 5, Articles 23–28: Wildlife: Empowers the Competent Authority to designate species that are protected from being killed, hunted, or trafficked.
• Chapter 6, Articles 29–32: Protected Areas: Details activities that are prohibited within designated Protected Areas.
• Chapter 7, Articles 33–34: Emergencies and Environmental Disasters: Provides for measures to mitigate the impact of environmental incidents and disasters.
• Chapter 8, Articles 35–44: Violations and Penalties: Specifies the penalties that may be imposed for breaching the Environmental Law.
• Chapter 9, Articles 45–49: Final Provisions: Includes additional legal provisions, notably Article 45, which requires lenders to consider environmental factors when financing projects.

Implementing Regulations

The Environmental Law is supported by a suite of Implementing Regulations, and details the topics such as licenses and permits, environmental compliance, violations and penalties for contamination of air, soil, noise and water quality. Projects that may have an effect on the environment are required to comply with existing environmental specifications, standards, measurements and guidelines stated within the Law and the Implementing Regulations.

The Executive/Implementing Regulations and other Laws are:

• Executive Regulations for the Protection of Aqueous Media from Pollution
• Executive Regulations for the Environmental Rehabilitation of Degraded Sites and Remediation of Polluted Sites
• Executive Regulations for Air Quality
• Executive Regulation for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification
• Executive Regulation for Trade in Wildlife Species, Their Products and Derivatives
• Executive Regulation for the Protected Areas
• Executive Regulation for the Prevention and Remediation of Soil Pollution
• Executive Regulation for Sustainable Management of the Marine and Coastal Environment
• Executive Regulation for Ozone Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons
• Executive Regulation for Noise
• Executive Regulation for Logging
• Executive Regulation for Hunting Terrestrial Wildlife Species
• Executive Regulation for Environmental Inspections and Audits
• Executive Regulation for Controls and Procedures Pertaining to Financial Dues for Environmental Licenses Permits and Services
• Executive Regulations of the Seeds and Seedlings Law of the GCC
• Executive Regulations of Law of Treated Sewage Water and its Reuse Thereof
• Executive Regulation for Apprehension of Violations
• The Agriculture Law
• Saudi Organic Agriculture Law & by-Law
• Water Law
• Guidelines for Greywater Reuse
• Regulation on Licenses’ Conditions and Requirements of Water Factories
• Mechanism for Supplying Real Estate Developers with Drinking Water and Sanitation Services
• Organizational Regulations of Non-potable Well Water Tanker Fillers
• Guidelines for issuing Aquaculture Projects Licenses
• Regulation of Fishing, Investment and Preservation of Live Aquatic Resources within Territorial Waters
• Safety Precautions for Handling Chemicals
• Traffic Control at Worksites Manual
• Chlorine (Cl₂ ) Safety Precaution
• Design Guide for Wastewater Treatment Plants in Saudi Arabia
• Regulation of safety procedures for excavations
• Law of Handle Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• Controls on Importing Fish for Aquaculture into Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Code for Responsible Aquaculture Practices
• National Biosecurity Manual
• National Aquaculture Policies and Practices

MEWA Environmental Standards

A set of environmental standards is available to define limits and provide guidance for environmental monitoring, and these should be adhered to during both the construction and operational phases of a project.

In cases where national standards are not available, the ESIA should reference appropriate international standards, such as the World Bank Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, General EHS Guidelines, IFC Performance Standards, U.S. Federal Standards, European Union Standards, or other relevant benchmarks.

It is important to note that for several giga-projects in Saudi Arabia, the prevailing approach is to adopt the most stringent applicable standard, whether national or international.

• Ambient Air Quality
• Ambient Water Quality
• Best Practicable Environmental Option for Waste Disposal
• Biological Treatment – Design and Operation
• Drinking Water Quality
• Industrial and Municipal Wastewater Discharges
• Material Recovery and Recycling of Waste
• Mobile Source Emissions
• Noise Standards
• Point Source Emissions
• Prevention of Major Accidents
• Storage and Material Reclamation Facilities – Design and Operation
• Thermal Treatment and Incineration – Design and Operation
• Waste Acceptance Criteria
• Waste Classification
• Waste Handling and Storage
• Waste Regulatory Control and Compliance
• Waste Training and Assessment of Technical Competence of Operators
• Waste Transportation

Note: applicable regulations and standards are often displayed in tables within environmental assessments reports, to provide a quick summary of the regulation and its relevance to a specific project.

NCEC EIA Classification

The NCEC classifies projects into three categories based on their potential environmental impacts. This classification determines the level of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required for each project and considers factors including the type and size of the activity, energy usage, depletion of natural resources, land use, proximity to sensitive receptors, and the nature, extent, duration, reversibility, probability, and level of environmental impacts. The classification guides the permitting process and ensures that environmental considerations are integrated into project planning and execution.
Note that for the country, the social aspect of the ESIA is optional under the NCEC; however, it is applicable for most giga-projects and internationally funded projects.

• Category I (Limited Impact): Projects in this category are expected to have minimal environmental impacts confined within the project site. These impacts do not necessitate mitigation measures during operations. Typically, an Environmental Management Plan is sufficient for such projects.
• Category II (Moderate Impact): Projects classified under Category II may have moderate adverse environmental impacts throughout their lifespan. These impacts can be substantially mitigated and are not expected to significantly affect areas beyond the project site. An EIA Report is required for these projects, which includes an Environmental Management and Rehabilitation Plan. This category does not require submission of a Scoping Report.
• Category III (Significant Impact): For projects anticipated to have major environmental, social, and economic impacts. These impacts may extend beyond the project site and adversely affect the sustainability of environmentally sensitive areas and receptors. Additionally, such projects may produce hazardous waste for which there are inadequate or insufficient treatment and disposal facilities within the Kingdom. For these projects, a comprehensive EIA is mandatory, which includes both a Scoping Report and a detailed EIA with management plans.

The project owner is responsible for initiating the environmental review process by submitting an Environmental Classification Form (ECF) to the NCEC. This form must be prepared in Arabic by a Class A environmental consultant approved by the NCEC. It is accessible through the NCEC’s official website, where the project owner must first create an account to proceed.

The ECF requires detailed information, including applicant details (i.e., the authorized representative of the project owner), project specifics (such as activity type and objectives), and environmental data related to construction and operation phases. This includes the project’s scale, use of water, energy, and raw materials, as well as anticipated emissions, wastewater, and solid waste generation. Supporting documentation must also be provided.

Upon submission and payment of the associated fee, the NCEC reviews the ECF and issues a decision on the project’s environmental classification within 10 working days, provided that all required information has been submitted in full.

Find here a tool to understand EIA permitting requirements by the NCEC and the RCJY (developed by WKC).

Local Regulations

In addition to national environmental legislation, specific regional and sectoral regulations apply across various parts of Saudi Arabia.

These include guidelines established by entities such as the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY)—each responsible for overseeing urban development and environmental governance in their respective regions.

Other sector-specific authorities include the Saudi Ports Authority, which adheres to the 2006 Environmental Regulations for Seaports issued by the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, as well as Saudi Aramco, which enforces its own environmental rules and regulations for oil ports and terminals.

For giga-projects such as NEOM or Red Sea Global, project-specific institutional guidelines are also in place and must be followed in addition to national and regional requirements. These bodies implement tailored regulations and initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

International Agreements

In addition to the national Environmental Law and its Implementing Regulations, Saudi Arabia is part of various intergovernmental conventions and is a signatory to a range of international agreements. These agreements demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing global challenges related to environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, labor rights, and maritime safety.

Below is an overview of key international agreements under which Saudi Arabia has obligations to meet specific environmental and social requirements:

• International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions A set of international labor standards aimed at promoting fair and humane working conditions worldwide.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) An international treaty aimed at addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
• Kyoto Protocol An extension of the UNFCCC, this protocol commits industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Paris Agreement A legally binding international treaty on climate change, aiming to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer An international treaty designed to phase out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.
• Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer A framework for international cooperation to protect the ozone layer by regulating substances that deplete it.
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) An international treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of its components, and ensuring fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) An international agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety A supplementary agreement to the CBD, focusing on the safe handling, transport, and use of genetically modified organisms.
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (UNCCD) An international treaty aimed at combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought through national and regional action programs.
• Agenda 21 of the UN Conference on Environment and Development A non-binding action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development.
• Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention) An international environmental treaty aimed at eliminating or restricting the production and use of persistent organic pollutants.
• Rotterdam Convention A multilateral environmental agreement promoting shared responsibility in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals.
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal An international treaty designed to reduce movements of hazardous waste between nations, especially from developed to less developed countries.
• Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention) An international treaty to control pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter.
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) An international convention aimed at preventing pollution of the marine environment by ships.
• International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) An international treaty that establishes a framework for international cooperation in responding to oil pollution incidents.
• Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment (Jeddah Convention) A regional agreement aimed at protecting the marine environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
• World Heritage Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): An international agreement aimed at identifying, protecting, and preserving cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
• UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage An international treaty aimed at ensuring the recognition and preservation of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditions, performing arts, and rituals.
• Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage An international agreement aimed at protecting underwater cultural heritage, including shipwrecks and sunken cities.
• International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) An international maritime treaty ensuring that ships comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment, and operation.
• UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) An international agreement that establishes the legal framework for marine and maritime activities, including navigation rights and environmental protections.

Biodiversity Frameworks

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Each of the international agreements listed above have their own environmental and social requirements, and the country has developed further policies to meet those requirements.

For example, to fulfil the obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Saudi Arabia has developed the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which is a key national framework required under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The NBSAP addresses strategies for national biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing. The NBSAP sets clear goals, actions, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective implementation.

Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework designed to transform the country’s economy while prioritizing nature conservation and fostering a sustainable future through the implementation of sustainable development goals.

As part of the Vision, the country launched the National Transformation Strategy, which includes various environmental targets, such as expanding protected areas and urban green spaces, reducing carbon emissions, and transitioning to renewable energy.

Vision 2030 also emphasizes the preservation of natural resources, including water and soil conservation, while improving air quality, reducing temperatures through green infrastructure, and addressing climate change challenges with nature-based solutions.

Saudi Green Initiative

As part of the National Transformation Strategy, Saudi Arabia introduced the Saudi Green Initiative. While not formal regulations, this initiative complement the country’s protected areas network by focusing on habitat restoration, increasing vegetation coverage, and combating desertification through the planting of 10 billion trees over the coming decades.

National Protected Areas System Plan

Complementing the NBSAP, the National Protected Area System Plan (NPASP), first published in 1990, then updated in 2010, outlines the establishment, management, and expansion of protected areas, ensuring that critical ecosystems, habitats, and species are safeguarded.

In 2024, a new Protected Areas System Plan was developed for the country to commit to protect 30% of its terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. This ‘30% by 30 Plan’ is a key pillar of the Saudi Green Initiative. It aligns with the global ’30 by 30′ initiative – which calls on governments to designate 30% of Earth’s land and oceans as protected areas, as agreed at the COP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal in 2022. This ambitious target aims to preserve Saudi Arabia’s unique landscapes and biodiversity for future generations.

The Plan includes a robust framework that meets environmental, social, and economic standards under Vision 2030. Crucially, its successful implementation depends on strong governance mechanisms to ensure sustainable management that aligns with global biodiversity conservation standards.

Relevant UNESCO sites, Protected Areas and Important Bird Areas

Saudi Arabia has established (by 2025) a network of 79 IUCN-designated protected areas to conserve its unique biodiversity and natural landscapes, covering approximately 18.6% of its terrestrial and3.6% of its marine environments. In addition to the protected areas, there are 41 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) covering a total of 81,155 km² of the country’s territory.

Following a similar approach for IBA and protected areas, there are 9 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia, designated as an effort to preserve the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
As part of the Regulatory Framework analysis, environmental consultants should conduct a review and provide a list of UNESCO sites, protected areas and IBAs located within a 50–100 km radius of the project site. These areas often host critical habitats for endangered or endemic species, serve as migration stopovers, or support ecosystems that provide vital services like water regulation and soil stabilization.

This assessment is then essential for understanding biological connectivity and evaluating how the proposed development may affect migratory routes, ecological corridors, and vulnerable ecosystem services. It is also important to understand the cultural connectivity of the proposed site, with nearby heritage and archaeological sites.

High Conservation Priority Species

The First Saudi Arabian National Report on the Convention on Biological Diversity, submitted in 2001, outlines the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving biodiversity following its ratification of the CBD.

While the country does not have an official classification of extinction risk for national biodiversity, this National Report provides a de facto list of species classifications and should be used to provide national context for the species, following criteria that include cultural, economic, and ecological importance:

• Criterium 1: Genera, species, or subspecies classified as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), or Vulnerable (VU) at the global, regional, or national level; taxa that are locally extinct in the wild may also be included if there is a National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) policy to reintroduce them.
• Criterium 2: Genera, species, or subspecies that are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, the Red Sea, or the Gulf.
• Criterium 3: Genera, species, or subspecies for which the conservation of populations within Saudi Arabia is crucial to the overall conservation of the taxon (e.g., near-endemic species or migratory species for which Saudi Arabia holds critical habitat).
• Criterium 4: Relict genera, species, or subspecies that have global, regional, or national significance.
• Criterium 5: Genera or species with special ecological importance, such as those that fulfill vital ecosystem functions (e.g., providing key habitats for other species or serving as indicator species).
• Criterium 6: Genera or species of notable economic importance.
• Criterium 7: Genera or species that function as “flagship” species—high-profile species of cultural or symbolic value, whose protection will also benefit many other species sharing their habitats.

In subsequent studies by Boland and Burwell (2021), a more detailed list of High Conservation Priority terrestrial vertebrates in Saudi Arabia was developed. The study utilized criteria such as extinction risk, endemicity, national responsibility, and phylogenetic distinctness to prioritize these species. Additionally, geographic information system (GIS) heat maps were created to identify areas with the highest conservation priority, with the Asir Mountains emerging as a key region for conservation efforts. A similar assessment was conducted by the same authors (2020) for birds.

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that provides guidelines and frameworks for environmental protection through research, policy development, and advocacy. It plays a key role in promoting sustainable practices, biodiversity conservation, and the protection of natural habitats by assessing species’ conservation status, establishing standards for protected areas, and influencing global environmental agreements.

The IUCN Red List is a globally recognized tool that assesses the conservation status of species, helping to identify those at risk of extinction. By categorizing species into different levels of threat, it serves as a guideline for prioritizing conservation efforts, informing policy decisions, and promoting global awareness about biodiversity loss. In Saudi Arabia, the IUCN Red List is used for the descriptions of biodiversity present within project development.

Further read: IUCN Red List.

Invasive Species List

The National Center for Wildlife has published a list of non-native and invasive species that must be taken into account during biodiversity assessments for development projects in Saudi Arabia.

These species, identified for their potential to disrupt local ecosystems, pose ecological threats such as competition with native species, habitat degradation, and altered ecosystem dynamics.

The provided lists serve as an important reference for environmental consultants, offering guidance on which species should be prioritized for control or removal from project sites due to their invasive nature and potential negative impact on native biodiversity.

International Guidelines

International guidelines, such as those from the World Bank Group, are non-binding recommendations that provide a framework for best practices in environmental and social protection. Their purpose is to guide governments, businesses, and organizations in minimizing environmental harm, improving sustainability, and promoting responsible practices.

While they are not legally required, these guidelines help shape policies, influence decision-making, and encourage voluntary compliance with high environmental standards, often driving improvements in environmental stewardship and contributing to global sustainability goals.

The most common guidelines used for projects in Saudi Arabia are detailed below.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, and has developed a set of Performance Standards to provide guidelines for managing environmental and social risks in private sector projects, aiming to promote sustainable development.

These standards help companies identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to environmental impact, labor rights, community health, and biodiversity, ensuring that projects contribute to positive outcomes for both people and the environment.

World Bank Group EHS Guidelines and Industry Sector Guidelines

The World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines provide a comprehensive set of international standards and best practices for managing environmental and social impacts across various sectors.

The Industry Sector Guidelines, which are part of the EHS framework, offer specific recommendations tailored to different industries, addressing sector-specific environmental risks and promoting sustainable practices to safeguard human health, the environment, and communities.

Equator Principles

The Equator Principles are a set of risk management standards that guide financial institutions in assessing and managing the environmental and social risks associated with financing large-scale infrastructure projects.

The Principles were developed based on the environmental and social safeguard policies of the IFC and are aligned with the IFC’s Performance Standards. These standards focus on areas such as environmental impact, community health and safety, labor rights, and land acquisition, ensuring that projects meet internationally recognized sustainability criteria.