
Author – Danilo Batinga
As of 2023, the buildings and construction sector accounts for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest single contributor globally. With growing public awareness around sustainability, the rise of large development projects is facing increasing scrutiny, raising questions about how to pursue rapid urbanization in a way that aligns with our collective Net Zero ambitions.
One region particularly under the spotlight is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where ambitious giga projects are underway. While these massive developments offer economic growth and urban expansion, they also pose potential environmental challenges. However, developers of these projects are integrating sustainability into their strategies. But how exactly is this achieved?
Embedding Sustainability: Two Key Phases
Sustainability can be woven into the construction process across two main phases:
- Pre-construction or Planning
- Operational / Post-construction
- Pre-Construction: Building a Green Foundation
Sustainability begins long before the first brick is laid. Adopting ESG-friendly practices during the planning phase can significantly enhance sustainability in the subsequent construction and operational phases:
- Master Planning and Site Selection: Developers must carefully select locations to minimize environmental disruption, ensuring that projects do not displace functioning ecosystems or indigenous communities. When displacement is unavoidable, compensatory measures are essential. For instance, Red Sea Global (RSG) launched a mangrove regeneration project to protect coastal areas and is actively working to restore damaged coral in the Red Sea, aiming for zero impact on the existing marine ecosystem.
- Sustainable Material Selection: The production of materials like cement, steel, and aluminum is a major source of carbon emissions. Choosing sustainable alternatives is key. This can include materials with recycled content (e.g., recycled steel, plastic, glass, and concrete) to reduce the demand for virgin resources, as well as durable materials that minimize the need for frequent replacements. Energy-efficient materials also play a critical role in reducing overall environmental impact during construction.
- Empowering Local Communities: Sustainability extends beyond materials; it’s about people too. Upskilling local talent and ensuring fair, equal employment opportunities are crucial. RSG has pioneered initiatives such as the Hospitality Pioneer program, training young Saudi nationals for roles in hotels and tourism, thereby embedding sustainability into the project’s workforce.
- Operational Phase: Long-Term Green Strategies
Operational activities account for 75% of the sector’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making it a critical focus for sustainable practices:
- Energy Efficiency: From heating and cooling to lighting, energy consumption in construction and building operations must be optimized. Utilizing renewable energy sources is a powerful solution. For example, RSG has installed over 760,000 solar panels to power all its projects, including the upcoming Red Sea International Airport, which will be 100% powered by renewable energy.
- Waste Management: Properly processing construction byproducts and managing waste from business operations post-construction is essential to prevent environmental harm. Sustainable waste treatment methods reduce the ecological footprint of large developments.
- Governance and Accountability: Effective sustainability measures require oversight. Setting clear sustainability goals and KPIs ensures accountability at all levels. RSG, for example, has established a Sustainability Management Committee to oversee and endorse ESG initiatives, ensuring that all projects align with the group’s sustainability mission.
Conclusion: Balancing Growth with Responsibility
The construction sector is at a crossroads. As development projects scale up globally, the integration of sustainability must remain a priority to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of our planet. By embedding sustainable practices in both the planning and operational phases, projects like those led by RSG demonstrate that rapid urbanization and sustainability can coexist, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
The upcoming Big5 (www.big5global.com) to be held at the Dubai World Trade Center could provide businesses to contribute to sustainability across KSA giga projects. If you need support in navigating the market, feel free to reach out to the BCB UAE/ OCO Global team to learn more