58,000 environmental compliance tours planned for 2025: Energy and mining sectors lead the way
The National Center for Environmental Compliance announced a significant leap in its monitoring performance during 2025, with its field teams conducting over 58,000 inspection tours across various regions of Saudi Arabia. The Center focused its monitoring efforts heavily on sectors with the highest environmental impact, particularly industry, mining, and energy, which alone accounted for 51% of all inspections. This focus is part of a national strategy aimed at increasing environmental compliance rates.
Risk-based inspection methodology
The center has undergone a fundamental transformation in its operational processes by adopting a risk-based inspection methodology. This methodology relies on an intelligent model that directs human and technical resources toward activities with potential environmental impact. Visits to facilities are intensified as risk indicators rise, according to a precise assessment matrix. Abdulmajid Al-Harbi, Director of the Inspection Department at the center, explained that this approach has contributed to focusing efforts on ensuring the sustainability of environmental resources and mitigating the negative impacts of major industrial activities.
Context of Vision 2030 and Green Initiatives
These intensive efforts align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places environmental protection and the sustainability of its resources at the heart of its priorities. The National Center for Environmental Compliance is a key enabler for achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions and combat pollution in all its forms. These monitoring tours are of strategic importance as they aim not only to detect violations but also to raise awareness within the private sector about the importance of adopting environmentally friendly practices, which will positively impact the quality of life and public health of citizens and residents.
Mecca leads the way, followed by Riyadh
The last quarter of 2025 saw intensive field activity, with teams conducting over 13,000 inspection visits. The Makkah region topped the list of most inspected areas, with nearly 4,000 facilities visited, reflecting the region's paramount importance due to its population density and the Hajj and Umrah seasons, which necessitate stringent environmental standards. The Riyadh region came in second with over 2,500 visits, followed by the Eastern Province – the industrial and energy hub – with approximately 2,000 visits. The remaining visits covered various other regions of the Kingdom.
The concept of high-risk facilities
Al-Harbi stressed in his speech a crucial point regarding the classification of facilities, stressing that classifying a facility as “high risk” does not necessarily mean that it does not comply with regulations, but rather reflects the sensitive nature of its activity (such as chemical plants or power stations) which requires careful and continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of the surrounding environmental environment of air, water and soil.
Expected economic and environmental impact
This increase in the number and accuracy of inspection tours is expected to contribute to improving the Kingdom's environmental performance indicators internationally. Rigorous monitoring encourages facilities to invest in clean technologies, thus reducing the future economic cost of environmental degradation. The record number of tours (58,000) represents a clear message from the center of its commitment to protecting the environment from depletion and pollution, and ensuring the strict and transparent implementation of the environmental regulations.
