The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced amendments to penalties for environmental violations, imposing fines of up to SR5 million and deportation for non-Saudi offenders.

New Regulations for Environmental Violations

Under the new regulations, a specialized court will handle cases involving environmental violations, including illegal waste dumping, discharging wastewater, or releasing untreated liquids into underground wells, natural areas, or rocky aquifers. The court will also address cases related to trading, killing, or hunting endangered species.

Strict Measures for Tree and Plant Violations

The regulations also cover repeat offenses or violations involving the cutting, uprooting, or damaging of trees, shrubs, or plants, as well as soil removal, if committed within a year of the initial offense.

Deportation for Foreign Offenders

Foreign offenders will be referred to local authorities for potential deportation, according to the Saudi news portal Akhbaar24. Violators must also reverse any environmental damage caused and complete rehabilitation efforts as per regulatory standards.

Saudi Arabia's Efforts to Protect the Environment

Saudi Arabia has intensified its environmental protection efforts in recent years. In 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Saudi Green Initiative to address climate change through emission reductions, afforestation, land restoration, and the conservation of land and sea areas.

Goals of the Saudi Green Initiative

The Saudi Green Initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by more than 4% of global contributions and seeks to provide 50% of Saudi Arabia’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. As part of the initiative, over 95 million trees have already been planted across the Kingdom, according to recent government reports.