المملكة: Saudi Civil Defense… Pioneering efforts in promoting environmental sustainability

The Saudi Civil Defense represents a pioneering model and an essential partner in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which places the safety of lives and the protection of the environment among its priorities.
It combines field intervention, sustainability of natural resources for future generations, community awareness, and building a sustainable and safe environment, as it faces the challenges of natural and industrial disasters.

Rapid urban and environmental developments

This comes in light of the rapid urban and environmental developments, with environmental protection becoming a major focus of its strategies, with the aim of contributing to environmental balance, reducing desertification, and protecting soil from erosion, by fighting fires in forests and farms, which may destroy them and harm human and wildlife life.
The Saudi Civil Defense actively participated in the Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification (COP16).
He reviewed his pioneering efforts in promoting environmental sustainability and protecting natural resources, through his contribution to the “Green Zone”, which is a global platform for displaying innovative environmental initiatives.

Modern technologies

The Civil Defense highlighted the modern technologies it adopts in combating desertification and reducing the impact of environmental disasters, in addition to its pivotal role in protecting vegetation and restoring affected areas.
This reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to contributing to international efforts to confront environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development goals.
Prevention is part of the civil defense strategy, as comprehensive plans are prepared to confront natural disasters, such as torrents and floods, which can cause widespread environmental destruction if they are not dealt with proactively.

Infrastructure preparation

In addition to preparing appropriate infrastructure and community awareness to reduce harmful activities, such as random burning of waste and improper disposal of chemicals, and predicting risks using early warning techniques to reduce environmental and human losses.
The pivotal efforts and roles of civil defense have emerged in responding to environmental emergencies and their efficiency, especially those resulting from industrial accidents, such as the leakage of toxic or petroleum materials, which pose a direct threat to the environment and the population.
He took integrated and systematic steps, using advanced equipment and trained teams, to deal with chemical and petroleum leaks, to limit the spread of toxic substances and reduce their impact on soil and groundwater.
In addition to quickly containing the leak to prevent it from reaching sensitive residential or environmental areas, in addition to managing the evacuation of affected areas for the safety of residents in the affected areas, and benefiting from volunteers in evacuation and field support.

Preserving natural resources

Protecting vegetation and preserving natural resources is one of the most prominent priorities of civil defense in the face of forest fires that pose a direct threat to the ecosystem, by enacting a special regulation aimed at protecting vegetation outside the municipal boundaries.
This is with the participation of the private and public sectors in the field of fire and rescue under the supervision of civil defence, and through support, support and intervention when needed, through the use of firefighting systems with the latest technologies.
The Saudi Civil Defense played a pioneering role in protecting the environment, as it combines its field efforts and cooperation with various sectors to achieve integrated environmental sustainability.

Environmental protection is a national priority

With the launch of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, environmental protection has become a national priority, embodied in strategic initiatives, such as “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East,” in harmony and integration with environmental authorities to achieve a more sustainable future.
Within the framework of global environmental challenges, Civil Defense cooperated with local and international environmental organizations to exchange experiences, develop best practices for protecting the environment, and participate in regional and international conferences to enhance its capabilities and response to future challenges.
Its efforts are not limited to direct intervention, but rather include environmental awareness programs targeting all segments of society to preserve the environment and stimulate participation in its protection.

Disseminating awareness messages

At the media and communication level, Civil Defense has enhanced environmental awareness, using the media and social media accounts as platforms to spread awareness messages towards sound environmental practices and protect it from risks that threaten natural resources.
This is done by publishing information materials that show the impact of lighting fires in undesignated places on the environment and providing instructions on safe locations for lighting fires.
As well as producing visual content and awareness designs to protect vegetation as a national wealth that requires protection, reducing harmful practices and supporting environmental initiatives, which contributes to building a conscious society that preserves its natural wealth for future generations.