المملكة: Specialists told Al-Youm: The Kingdom is establishing a sustainable environmental model that combines development and the protection of natural resources

In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a qualitative transformation in The environmenttoday is one of the basic pillars of the national development process, as efforts continue to enhance vegetation cover, combat desertification, protect biodiversity, and raise the efficiency of natural resource management, in addition to expanding renewable energy projects and modern technologies that contribute to reducing emissions and achieving long-term sustainability.

Specialists, researchers, and those interested in environmental affairs, who spoke to Al-Youm, believe that the Kingdom has succeeded in building an integrated environmental system, It contributed to strengthening its position regionally and internationally in the field of environmental work, stressing that what has been achieved during the past period reflects a clear vision and a serious will towards protecting the environment and sustaining its resources for future generations.

Accelerated environmental transformation

The Associate Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health in the Department of Environment and Deputy Director of the Research Excellence Center for Environmental Studies at King Abdulaziz University, Dr. Ahmed Saleh Samman said that the Kingdom is witnessing an accelerating environmental transformation that has contributed to strengthening the concepts of sustainability and protecting public health, pointing out that modern environmental efforts are not limited to preserving natural resources only, but their positive effects extend to improving the quality of life and reducing environmental risks that may affect human health.

He said that the expansion of environmental initiatives and the development of legislation and environmental control reflects an advanced level of integration between environmental and development aspects, stressing that the Kingdom has come to present a balanced model that combines economic growth and environmental preservation according to scientific foundations. And sustainable.

He added that investing in environmental studies and research contributed to providing accurate data and indicators that support decision makers and contribute to developing appropriate solutions to various environmental challenges, pointing out that Saudi research centers and universities play an important role in supporting national efforts through scientific studies and innovations related to protecting the environment and improving environmental health.

Samman pointed out that the increasing interest in air quality, waste management, and the preservation of natural resources reflects a growing awareness of the importance of the environment as a major factor in achieving development. The environmental researcher and sustainability specialist Abdullah bin Abdullah bin Shaqlot said that the Kingdom has achieved remarkable progress in developing the environmental sector, by building a modern regulatory and legislative system that has contributed to raising the efficiency of performance and enhancing the level of commitment to environmental standards.

He said that concern for the environment is no longer limited to addressing existing challenges, but has become part of comprehensive development planning, which has reflected positively on various sectors, adding that the Kingdom has been able to transform many environmental challenges, such as desertification and scarcity of water resources, into opportunities for development and innovation by adopting modern technologies and sustainable solutions.

He pointed out that afforestation and vegetation restoration programs are among the most prominent initiatives that have contributed to enhancing environmental balance, explaining that these efforts are not limited to increasing green spaces only, but their effects extend to improving air quality, reducing sand encroachment, and preserving soil, which is directly reflected in the quality of life in various regions.

He added that what distinguishes the Saudi experience is its comprehensiveness, as it combines environmental, economic, and social aspects at the same time, which makes it an integrated model for sustainable development, stressing that Continuing these efforts will contribute to achieving more positive results in the coming years.

Achieving the desired environmental goals

For his part, natural resources management expert Hassan Al Qubaisi confirmed that the environmental transformation witnessed by the Kingdom was not limited to the implementation of initiatives and projects, but rather extended to include enhancing environmental culture among members of society, which is one of the most important factors for the success of any long-term environmental strategy.

He explained that recent years have witnessed a noticeable increase in the level of environmental awareness, whether through awareness programs or community initiatives. Or integrating the concepts of sustainability into the educational process, which contributed to enhancing the sense of responsibility towards the environment among various segments of society.

He explained that the participation of citizens and volunteers in many environmental initiatives reflects the magnitude of positive change in societal culture, stressing that protecting the environment has become a shared responsibility between the competent authorities and members of society, which enhances the chances of achieving the desired environmental goals.

Al Qubaisi added that the expansion of renewable energy projects represents one of the most prominent aspects of environmental transformation in the Kingdom, noting that the increasing investments in solar energy and wind energy contribute to diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on traditional fuels, in addition to their role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting international efforts aimed at confronting climate change.

He stressed that the Kingdom has become an influential player in global environmental issues, thanks to the initiatives and projects it has launched in the field of sustainability, which reflects its commitment to its environmental responsibilities on At the regional and international levels.

Preserving the Kingdom’s natural heritage

In the same context, Ibrahim Al-Faqih, an expert and researcher in environmental affairs, explained that the private sector has become a major partner in the process of environmental transformation, noting that the supportive investment environment and stimulating legislation have contributed to attracting qualitative investments in the fields of recycling, waste management, and modern environmental technologies.

He said that the growth of environmental investments achieves many gains, both on the economic and environmental levels, as it contributes to creating New job opportunities, developing industries related to the green economy, and increasing the efficiency of utilizing available resources.

He added that the Kingdom has succeeded in establishing the concept of the circular economy, which is based on reusing resources and reducing waste, an approach that is consistent with the best global practices in the field of sustainability, and contributes to achieving economic development while preserving the environment.

Al-Faqih pointed out that the protection of biodiversity has witnessed a remarkable development over the past years, through the expansion of the establishment of natural reserves and the development of species conservation programmes. Wildlife and the resettlement of endangered species, in addition to strengthening environmental control systems and benefiting from modern technologies in monitoring environmental systems.

He stressed that these efforts contribute to preserving the Kingdom’s natural heritage, and enhance the sustainability of environmental resources in a way that ensures benefit from them for future generations, noting that the Kingdom possesses a unique natural diversity that deserves more protection and investment.

Specialists believe that the successes achieved in the environmental sector reflect the amount of attention that the Kingdom pays to sustainability issues, as The environment is no longer an independent issue, but has become a pivotal element in development planning and decision-making, ensuring that a balance is achieved between the requirements of economic growth and the preservation of natural resources.

They also confirm that the continued implementation of major environmental projects, the adoption of modern technologies, and the strengthening of partnerships with various sectors will contribute to consolidating current gains and opening new horizons towards a more sustainable future.

With the acceleration of the pace of environmental work and the growth of qualitative initiatives, the Kingdom continues its steps towards building a development model. Integrated, it places people and the environment at the heart of the development process, and reflects its keenness to find sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, which contributes to improving the quality of life, enhancing the well-being of society, and preserving natural resources for future generations.

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