In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to protecting its natural resources and achieving sustainability goals, the National Center for Environmental Compliance revealed a qualitative leap in its monitoring performance during 2025. Field teams carried out more than 58,000 monitoring tours covering various regions of the Kingdom, strategically and intensively directing their focus towards the most influential sectors, specifically the industry, mining and energy sectors, which alone accounted for 51% of the total tours.
Smart methodology: risk-based inspection
This achievement was not merely a quantitative figure, but rather the result of a strategic shift in operational mechanisms through the adoption of a "risk-based inspection" methodology. The center has revolutionized its field operations by implementing smart models that direct regulatory resources toward activities with the highest environmental impact. This mechanism relies on a precise assessment matrix that intensifies visits to facilities as potential risk indicators rise, ensuring greater monitoring efficiency and faster response times.
The Director of the Inspection Department at the Center, Abdulmajid Al-Harbi, explained that this approach contributed to focusing efforts on sensitive sectors to ensure the sustainability of environmental resources and reduce the negative impacts of major industrial activities, stressing that classifying facilities as “high risk” reflects the delicate nature of their activity, which requires continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of the surrounding environment.
Mecca leads the way... Numbers and implications
The last quarter of 2025 witnessed intensive field activity, with over 13,000 inspection visits conducted. The Makkah region topped the list with nearly 4,000 visits to establishments, reflecting its strategic importance, high concentration of economic and human activity, and the commitment of relevant authorities to providing a healthy and safe environment for pilgrims and residents. The Riyadh region came in second with over 2,500 visits, followed by the Eastern Province with approximately 2,000 visits, demonstrating the well-planned geographical distribution of oversight.
National context: Vision 2030 and the green transformation
These intensive efforts come within a broader national context aligned with the objectives of "Vision 2030" and the "Saudi Green Initiative." The Kingdom is giving unprecedented attention to environmental issues, as environmental commitment is a fundamental pillar for improving quality of life. These inspection tours serve as an enforcement tool to ensure compliance with the stringent environmental regulations recently adopted by the state, contributing to reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment (air, water, and soil) from pollution.
Sustainable economic and environmental impact
Beyond its environmental dimension, this rigorous oversight has significant economic implications. Adherence to environmental standards enhances the global competitiveness of Saudi industries and attracts foreign investment that requires compliance with environmental and social governance (ESG) standards. Ensuring that high-impact facilities do not compromise on these standards not only protects the environment but also guarantees the sustainability of resources for future generations and spares the national economy the exorbitant costs of addressing environmental degradation in the future.
