Environmental commitment: Asir will have the cleanest air in the first quarter of 2026
The National Center for Environmental Compliance a new environmental achievement that reflects the success of national initiatives, as three governorates in the Asir region topped the list of “cleanest air” during the first quarter of 2026. This announcement confirms the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life, after the Hail region had the cleanest air last year.
Environmental compliance standards in measuring air quality
Dr. Mohammed Al-Daghreeri, Director General of Environmental Data Modeling and Analysis at the Center, explained that the governorates of Tanomah, Sarat Abidah, and Al-Harjah in the Asir region recorded the highest air quality indicators. These results are based on the Center's classification, which relies on the standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat. He noted that the evaluation process depends on accurate readings from 240 air quality monitoring stations distributed across all cities in the Kingdom, which automatically transmit their data to the central monitoring room. The technical criteria take into account the average number of monitoring stations in cities according to the volume of activities and urban density, in addition to the regularity of 24/7 monitoring, the quality and accuracy of the recorded data, and the low rate of malfunctions that could affect the measurement results.
The Kingdom's journey towards a sustainable environment within Vision 2030
The focus on air quality in Saudi Arabia stems from the launch of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which have placed environmental protection and sustainability at the heart of national policies. Historically, environmental monitoring efforts have taken on a more sophisticated institutional character with the establishment of specialized environmental centers. Air quality indicators began to be published at the end of 2014, with Abha recording the cleanest air quality at that time. The following year, Hail topped the list, coinciding with its selection as a Healthy City by the World Health Organization. This significant development reflects a firm governmental commitment to reducing carbon emissions, increasing vegetation cover, and implementing the highest international standards for pollution control, thus paving the way for a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Local and international dimensions for improving air quality
The impact of this environmental achievement extends beyond the local level to encompass significant regional and international dimensions. Locally, the improved air quality in the Asir region contributes to enhancing public health and reducing respiratory disease rates, positively impacting overall quality of life. It also strengthens Asir's position as a leading regional tourist destination, attracting visitors seeking a healthy environment and stunning natural beauty. Internationally, these results highlight the Kingdom's active role in combating climate change and its commitment to global environmental agreements. The National Center for Environmental Compliance concluded its statement by emphasizing its continued efforts to improve air quality indicators through promising projects that will connect with various governmental and private entities. The goal is to provide more comprehensive and accurate air quality data for each city, thereby enhancing transparency and reliability in national environmental reports.
