Development and the Environment in Saudi Arabia
The management and protection of the environment have captured the interest of our world today in view of the problems many countries are facing in terms of ever-decreasing strategic reserves of natural resources. These problems are being compounded at the same time by increasing rates of population growth, pollution and environmental degradation, and the danger of extinction for some species.
From a developmental perspective, the environment is best considered as the stock of natural resources available to society over a given period for the satisfaction of human needs. As such, the environment and its resources constitute a basic and indispensable element in the development process in general, and in raising the standard of living and quality of life for citizens in particular.
A major recent development has been the realization on the part of the international community (of which the Kingdom is a part) that the development process cannot proceed indefinitely without due consideration being given to the sustainability of the natural resource base and the enviromnent's capacity for re-generation and continuity. This remarkable breakthrough has found expression in the concept of "sustainable development" which was adopted by the entire world community of nations at the "Earth Summit" in Brazil in 1992, and which has been fostered as the internationally accepted approach to development in the next century and the remainder of this one. In brief, "sustainable development" links the human and natural environments so that available resources are used to meet present needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs. If such a concept is to be applied, however, several basic principles and conditions must be met. These include:
• the optimal management and rational use of resources;
• the need to upgrade and develop human resources;
• the maximum participation of all members of society in the development process.
Conventional indicators of economic development are confined to monetary values and therefore exclude many factors that more truly reflect the living standards and quality of life of individuals in the local conditions pertaining in each society. A difficult task lies ahead in moving beyond these conventional economic indicators and in developing new concepts and indicators of sustainable development, which focus on the wider aspects of human welfare and the quality of fife.
1 PRESENT CONDITIONS
Saudi Arabia's awareness of the important complementary nature of development and the environment is not new. The recognition and understanding of environmental issues and their significance for development emerged 15 years ago, in 1401, when the government established the Meteorology and
Environmental Protection Administration (MEPA), which was designated as the central government agency for the environment, in addition to its functions in the field of meteorological services. In response to the increasing interest in environmental concerns at the national level, the Ministerial Committee on the Environment (MCE) was formed in 1410 to act as the highest institutional authority responsible for setting environmental strategies and policies at national level, in addition to determining the Kingdom's international and regional viewpoints in this field. MEPA was assigned to undertake the tasks of the General Secretariat of the MCE and still plays its role in the daily operations of environmental management and in coordinating such matters at national level.
In support of this environmental work, the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) was established in 1406, as a specialized environmental agency responsible for managing a group of protected areas and implementing programs relating to the Kingdom's wildlife. It is also responsible for conducting biological research and using the results nationwide to protect and preserve rare and endangered zoological and botanical species. Finally, the NCWCD draws attention to wildlife-related environmental issues through environmental awareness campaigns and its participation at local and international conferences.
Through the Ministerial Committee for the Environment, the Kingdom has identified its future development priorities at the national level within the context and understanding of sustainable development. These priorities are included in "Agenda 21: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". This document deals with the various development sectors in the Kingdom on the premise that the environment is the common denominator which links all sectors of development, with the emphasis on efficient and rational resource utilization, the development and upgrading of human resources, and increasing the contribution of individuals, private firms and institutions in the development process.
The Kingdom's approach in integrating both environmental and development objectives and their related activities is based on Islamic Sharia principles, which direct the individual to conserve and protect natural resources and to be wise and rational in developing the natural environment for the benefit of himself and future generations. Thus, the modern concept of sustainable development partly reflects this Islamic view on the relationship between man and the natural environment.
The major achievements at the national level in this field during the last few years can be summarized as follows:
• The development of environmental management institutions and a national framework for managing the environment, culminating in the formation of the Ministerial Committee on the Environment and its general secretariat in 1410;
• The Kingdom's effective participation in many international and regional fora on environmental issues, in particular the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the "Earth Summit") held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1992;
• The distinguished effort in combating and controlling the largest ever oil spill in the Arabian Gulf after the Kuwait liberation war, and in protecting strategic utilities and facilities ;
• The establishment of the Saudi Environmental Awareness project in cooperation with MEPA and the private sector through the Economic Offset Program; under this scheme -- a pioneer of its type in cooperation between the government and the private sector -- the private sector provided management and finance, while MEPA provided the necessary scientific and technical support;
• The development and upgrading of meteorological services provided to both civilian and non-civilian sectors;
• The conservation and expansion of the Kingdom's vegetational resources, through the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water, including the plantation of more than 10,000 hectares of range and pasture lands, the re-plantation of 80 hectares of forests, and the distribution of 500,000 seedlings; in addition, the Ministry surveyed and classified 200,000 hectares of land and continued the maintenance and development of irrigation and drainage networks;
The preservation and protection of wildlife by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD), including the establishment of ten wildlife reserves for rare and endangered species and three research centers;
• The implementation of several projects for the reduction of ground water levels by the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh; these projects covered around 40 percent of the affected areas in the city of Riyadh.
• The attention given to environmental affairs by a number of agencies and organizations in the industrial sector, and, in particular, to the application of measures pertaining to industrial safety; such agencies and organizations include the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Industry and Electricity, Saudi ARAMCO, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, and SABIC.
2 KEY ISSUES
Indicators of Sustainable Development
Because it is confined to the measurement of market transactions that have in onetary values, the traditional concept of national income cannot reflect many aspects of the quality of life, such as the negative effects of environmental pollution and the depletion of natural resources. Under Agenda 21 issued by the Earth Summit in 1992, the majority of nations have adopted the concept of sustaiawble development as the appropriate approach to development for the next century and the remainder of this one. Based on the Kingdom's work priorities under this program (Agenda 21: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), it is imperative to develop a series of quantitative indicators for measuring and monitoring the activities of sustainable development, taking into account the efficient use of natural resources, their rates of regeneration and depletion, the absorptive capacity of the environment and the conformity of technology in use with the concept of sustainability. In order to prepare and develop these indicators, it is necessary that the national accounts system should include a form of natural resource capital account and a measurement of the extent of human resource development, as wen as their impacts on the national economy. AD concerned agencies will cooperate and coordinate in the development of such indicators during the Sixth Development Plan period.
Environmental Information and Data
There is a general shortage of environmental information and data at the national level. Addressing this issue requires close cooperation between all agencies entrusted with implementing environment-related activities, within an integrated and coordinated framework for determining the environmental indicators that need to be met in each field (water resources in qualitative and quantitative terms, waste lands, range lands, reserves, environmentally sensitive areas, and air, land, water and noise pollution). In this respect, there is also a need to identify unified standards for recording and measuring the environmental information needed to develop these indicators, and to assign relevant agencies to measure each indicator. AU such steps are to be taken for the purpose of providing an environmental data base at the national level. Thus, it is of the utmost necessity that integrated information is made available to identify problems and address their various dimensions, and that a central agency be entrusted with coordinating the process of information collection and analysis and making this information available to other concerned agencies.
Waste Management
As a factor affecting the quality of life, the disposal of solid and liquid waste is an important issue confronting modem communities everywhere, and in this regard, Saudi Arabia is no exception. Waste comes in many forms (domestic, industrial, chemical, hazardous and non-hazardous) and is related to all sectors of the economy -- urban, industrial, agricultural and service sectors -- with varying impacts on the environment and human health. Up till now, there has been a fragmented approach to the collection, removal and disposal of certain types of waste, mainly those which are visible and have a direct impact on human activities. However, in many cases the disposal of such waste itself entails new problems, concerning its management, methods, locations and types of treatment. A comprehensive evaluation is needed concerning all methods of waste management and treatment. At the same time, efforts are also needed to reduce the generation of such waste, through the adoption of cleaner and more efficient industrial processes that utilize fewer raw materials and the maximum possible volume of recycled materials. In fact, waste has to be viewed as a resource which, if managed correctly, can generate economic profits.
Air Quality
The rapid development of the Kingdom, particularly in urban areas, has been accompanied by a deterioration of air quality as a direct consequence of the massive increase in land transportation (cars, trucks and buses) and the associated growth in the emission of air pollutants. In addition to these mobile sources of air pollution, there has been the growth in stationary sources of air pollution, such as factories, desalination plants, power stations and oil refineries. Air pollutants generated by these sources depend on the quality and mix of fuel used and its efficiency, as well as the level of technology, design efficiency and operating cycles.
It is necessary, therefore, to increase the number of air quality monitoring stations in urban areas, particularly in densely populated areas, and to study the best methods of controlling pollutants from stationary sources. With respect to motor vehicles, there is an urgent need to switch to lead-free fuel and to adopt a plan for the use of catalytic converters, in addition to improved systems for managing traffic flows. Equally important to reducing the hazards of air pollution are the increase in vegetational cover, green belts and forestry plantation.
Fresh Water Resources
Water is a limited resource that is indispensable for human, plant and animal life, so it is important that this vital and essential resource be managed in a manner that rationalizes its consumption and secures its supply for future generations. As a result of agricultural development, population growth and improvements in living standards in the Kingdom, the growth in the demand for water has led to its partial depletion, particularly in the case of non-renewable fossil water which is the main source of fresh water supplies. Accordingly, it is necessary to encourage the rational consumption of water and its management by aft sectors on a scientific basis that will ensure its conservation and limit its pollution through regular monitoring. Furthermore, there is a need to develop appropriate water quality standards and to enforce rules and regulations relating to these standards.
On the other hand, efforts are needed to develop water resources through the use of advanced technologies (such as cloud physics to increase the amount of rain) and to improve the recharge efficiency of ground water. It is also important to complete the infrastructure needed for the collection, treatment and re-use of sewage water in all regions of the Kingdom for agricultural and industrial purposes. In this respect, priority should be given to densely populated areas, so as to limit the problem of rising ground water levels in cities, and the severe health, economic and environmental consequences.
Management of Land Use and Combating Desertification
Alternative patterns of land use have important economic and environmental consequences. The classification and analysis of land according to its longer term potential productive capacity is now urgently needed, so that lands suitable for agriculture, pasture, forests, industry, recreation, conservation and preservation of biological diversity (bio-diversity) can be properly identified. Current problems affecting the quality of land in the Kingdom include the deterioration of vegetational cover due to wood cutting, over-grazing of livestock, soil erosion by wind and water, and the ever present threat of moving sand dunes, all of which lead to increased desertification and land contamination. Accordingly, an integrated national database should be established for soil, vegetational and livestock resources, so that long term national plans can be developed for the protection of lands, forests and vegetation, and the control of desertification. Several measures are now needed to limit the desertification process and the deterioration of -soil and pastures, the most important of which are the prohibition of over-grazing and the rational use of pastures according to their regeneration capabilities, the control of wood cutting, and the plantation of trees along the coasts to be irrigated by sea water.
Land is also susceptible to pollution from the disposal of waste (particularly hazardous waste) and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In order to avoid the problems of soil contamination, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides should be rationalized and an environmentally sound system for the management of waste adopted.
Management of Coastal and Marine Areas
The Kingdom's long coastline and extensive marine resources are particularly sensitive to environmental pressures from urban, industrial, agricultural, recreational and fishing activities, as well as from the operations of desalination plants, ports and oil drilling. Inevitably, a conflict arises between the need to develop and expand these activities and the need to protect the unique and precious environmental characteristics of these marine areas. A system for managing coastal and marine areas should be promptly developed, so that priorities of land use in coastal areas can be clearly identified, conflicts eliminated, natural resources developed and maintained, and the excessive use of these resources avoided. All relevant agencies should cooperate in the enforcement of such a system. Environmental indicators also need to be developed for these areas, through the collection and analysis of data at stationary and mobile research centers, so that the management system can be based on scientific evidence and so that corrective action can be taken when necessary.
3 SAUDIIZATION
Saudi nationals accounted for 94 percent of all employees at MEPA by the end of the Fifth Plan. Management positions are filled entirely by Saudis, while Saudis make up 87.7 percent of professional positions.
During the Sixth Plan, MEPA will meet its manpower needs through the placement of Saudis in all vacant posts. The overall Saudiization rate is expected to rise to 97.5 percent, while the percentage of professional positions filled by Saudis is expected to increase to 95 percent.
As for the NCWC, the percentage of Saudis in the labor force reached 91.7 percent by the end of the Fifth Plan. Saudis occupied all management positions and 91.7 percent of professional positions. During the Sixth Development Plan, NCWCD will support its staff and the overall Saudiization rate is expected to rise to 95 percent.
4 PRIVATE SECTOR'S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The responsibility for conserving and protecting the environment is not limited to the government alone, but is the responsibility of all citizens. According to the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the active participation of citizens and private sector establishments in the various development activities should be encouraged. In particular, the private sector can make an important contribution to the goal of longer term sustainable development by engaging in the following activities during the Sixth Plan period:
• continuing its contribution to managing and financing environmental awareness activities in cooperation with the concerned government agencies who can provide the necessary scientific and technical support for such activities; in this regard, the establishment of voluntary non-profit organizations in the environmental protection field win be encouraged;
• establishing industries to produce environment-friendly products for which demand is already proven at the international level;
• providing environmental consulting services for both public and private sectors, and preparing environmental impact assessments for various government and private projects;
• following existing environmental protection regulations and guidelines with respect to the rational use of natural resources, limiting waste generation, and increasing operational efficiency;
investing in activities which entail "environmental returns" in addition to their financial returns; examples include industrial projects for treating and recycling solid waste and waste water, and manufacturing equipment required by industry according to sound environmental standards; the development of national parks and recreational facilities and resorts should also be organized according to sound environmental principles.
5 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Within the context of a long-term development strategy, all production and consumption activities in society should be re-oriented away from waste or misuse towards the conservation of natural resources and the elongation of their useful fife-span. Emphasis should also be placed on enhancing the efficient utilization of these resources, avoiding their depletion and identifying long-run utilization priorities without compromising the right and ability of future generations to meet their needs. This approach is in accordance with Islamic values and teachings defining mankind's mission in this world. An appropriate portion of the financial returns and revenues arising from the exploitation of natural resources - especially depletable and non-renewable resources - must be invested in developing renewable resources, and in particular, human resources, as the development of human resource skills, capabilities and knowledge constitutes a renewable source of human capital. AR of these measures are targeted to achieve balanced and sustainable development and to avoid the accumulation of environmental debt (natural resource indebtedness) resulting from the depletion and degradation of these resources.
The field of environmental management is one of the more recent fields requiring a long term strategic approach. Thus, suitably qualified personnel must be attracted into this field which has applications in all sectors of the economy, in terms of environmental considerations and the conservation of natural resources. However, responsibility for such efforts should not be confined to the government alone, as the private sector also has an enormous responsibility to attract qualified Saudis into this field and to develop their skills and knowledge through appropriate training.
From this perspective, the objectives, policies and programs of the Sixth Development Plan are as follows:
5.1 OBJECTIVES
Within the framework of integrating development and environmental objectives, all agencies especially executive ones - will endeavor to achieve the following general and long-term objectives:
• To conserve and develop the environment, and protect it from pollution;
• To upgrade and enhance the quality of life and the well-being of citizens, and to ensure a pollution-free environment with pure air, clean water and healthy food;
• To achieve balanced and sustainable development by conserving natural resources, while reducing pollution and the over-use of such resources.
To conserve, protect and develop the Kingdom's wildlife and to preserve the bio-diversity which forms an integral part its natural resources, within a framework for achieving balance between environmental and economic considerations, in addition to preserving rare and endangered botanical and zoological species.
5.2 POLICIES
The environmental impact of actions in one sector are often felt in other sectors, so that harmonious environmental policies must be adopted for all sectors of the national economy, and coordinated amongst many government agencies. Therefore, the coordinating function of MEPA is crucial to the consistent and general implementation of environmental policies that conform to the development activities of the Kingdom.
To achieve the environmental objectives, the sectoral agencies whose activities have an impact on the environment will implement the following policies during the Sixth Plan:
• Adopt a preventive approach that avoids or reduces environmental deterioration and pollution;
• Issue a national system for environmental impact assessments (EIA) to be adopted in projects undertaken in the various development sectors throughout the Kingdom, especially the industrial, agricultural and urban projects;
• Draft and complete an integrated set of environmental standards and specifications, and update them according to needs and progress, within the context of an integrated environmental system at national level;
• Taking environmental considerations into account in the various stages of development projects (i.e. planning, design, construction, operation) in all sectors, especially the producing sectors of agriculture and industry, whereby all projects shall be subject to environmental impact assessments;
• Take appropriate measures to maintain bio-diversity, preserve wildlife and conserve and manage natural resources according to the concept of sustainable development;
• Enhance environmental management and coordination at national level through:
Completion and issuance of a national environmental code;
Studying the feasibility of establishing an environment unit within each environment related agency to coordinate the environment tasks within the agency and between the agency and the general secretariat of the Ministerial Committee for Environment and MEPA;
• Encourage the private sector to participate in environmental protection and pollution control activities, and encourage investment in environmentally oriented activities and industries, such as waste treatment and recycling plants, and to encourage the use of environmentally sound technologies;
Develop manpower resources in the field of environmental science and attract qualified national manpower into the government and private sectors;
· Establish and manage the set of protected areas in a way that protects and develops the Kingdom's wildlife and preserves the diversity of botanical and zoological species and other natural resources;
· Support research and studies related to the proliferation and breeding of various wildlife species, in order to ensure their continuity and re-settlement in their natural habitats;
· Prepare a comprehensive national environmental awareness plan.
5.3 PROGRAMS
Meteorological Services.- This program aims at the provision of meteorological and climatic services, the development of observatories at airports, the improvement of weather forecasts on air routes, the provision of information on weather conditions to pilgrims and citizens, and improving the efficiency of the meteorological data base for agriculture.
Environment Protection:- The aim of this program is to address all environmental issues in a comprehensive manner, through the identification and follow-up of environmental problems at national level, contributing to the control of all environment pollution, and boosting citizens' environmental awareness.
Protected Areas- This program aims at the management and operation of a series of protected areas through intensified protection measures therein, as well as the implementation of procedures for re-settling various rare and endangered animal species in their natural habitats.
Information and Envirinmental Awareness.- This program aims to provide information and raise citizens' awareness at all levels about the environmental significance and beauty of wildlife, and to provide them with opportunities for positive responses to the activities of NCWCD through information campaigns, specialized films and scientific symposia.
6 GROWTH TARGETS IN THE SIXTH PLAN
Within the long-term general objectives of the environment sector, several environment-relatedagencies will cooperate in implementing the following targets during the Sixth Plan:
· To achieve a permanent balance between population distribution and the environment's absorptive capacity, with due regard to the effects of population growth and changing consumption patterns on the natural resources base;
· To attain the highest possible level of food production within the limit of available natural resources, particularly water, without damaging or severely depleting the existing nonrenewable resource base;
• To use the most advanced and environmentally sound technology, in the field of industrial development so as to avoid pollution and rationalize the use of resources and raw materials at all stages of the production process, i.e. in design, construction and operation.
• To issue a national system for environmental impact assessments to be adopted by the various development sectors throughout the Kingdom, particularly for industrial, agricultural and urban projects.
• To develop and finalize a set of environmental standards and criteria to be updated in response to changing needs and developments, in the context of developing an integrated environmental code at national level.
• To provide environmentally clean energy sources for all production and consumption activities, such as low-pollution fuels for factories, desalination plants and electric power plants, as well as lead-free fuel (gasoline) for domestic consumption.
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