Saudi ArabiA: LEED certifications propel Red Sea Global to new sustainability benchmarks

 

The recognitions span airports, educational facilities, logistics hubs, and community master plans

Saudi ArabiA: Red Sea Global's several flagship projects win sustainability recognition

Red Sea Global has reached significant sustainability milestones after several flagship assets across The Red Sea and Amaala destinations achieved prestigious LEED certifications. The recognitions span airports, educational facilities, logistics hubs, and community master plans, reinforcing the company’s position among global leaders in sustainable development and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives for low-carbon tourism and responsible infrastructure.

Red Sea International Airport was awarded LEED Platinum certification, making it one of only four airports worldwide to attain this distinction. The airport operates entirely on renewable energy, incorporates advanced energy management systems, and supports seaplane operations powered by sustainable aviation fuel. The achievement reflects years of integrated planning to deliver long-term environmental, social, and economic value.

 

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Commenting on the achievement, Raed Albasseet, Chief Sustainability and Environment Officer at Red Sea Global, said the certifications represent more than technical success. He noted that sustainability underpins every aspect of the company’s operations, from renewable energy use and advanced water reuse systems to circular waste management and low-emission mobility solutions, all aimed at embedding regeneration across its developments.

Turtle Bay International School also reached a major milestone, securing LEED Platinum certification with 92 points under the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction rating system—the highest score ever awarded to a school under this framework. Only 15 schools globally have achieved this level of certification, and the school is the first in Saudi Arabia to do so, setting a new benchmark for sustainable educational environments.

Albasseet highlighted the broader significance of this achievement, saying the school’s performance establishes a global standard in sustainable education, advanced architectural design, and regenerative learning spaces.

In the logistics sector, Red Sea Global’s Central Distribution Center earned LEED Gold certification with 73 points, placing it among the most sustainable storage and logistics facilities in the Middle East. The facility features smart energy management, efficient material use, and enhanced operational performance, supporting large-scale destination development with minimal environmental impact.

 

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Beyond individual buildings, the master plans for Turtle Bay and the Staff Village at Amaala were awarded LEED Platinum certification for Communities. These recognitions confirm that sustainability is integrated at the urban planning level, addressing energy, water, mobility, social inclusion, and long-term liveability for residents and workers.

Amaala also achieved LEED for Communities certification at the Planning and Design stage, joining a select group of just 45 developments worldwide to receive this recognition. Of these, only 16 projects—including the first phase of The Red Sea destination—have attained Platinum status, highlighting Red Sea Global’s consistent approach to sustainable destination planning.

This first LEED certification for Amaala establishes a strong foundation for future phases. The assessment encompasses environmental and social performance, economic growth, governance, urban resilience, and quality of life, aligning the project with advanced global standards for sustainable communities.

The Red Sea destination, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, currently features nine luxury resorts open to guests. Shura Island, considered the heart of the destination, began welcoming visitors in 2023 with the opening of the first of its planned 11 resorts, with additional developments underway.

 

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Red Sea Global confirmed that both The Red Sea and Amaala destinations operate on 100% renewable energy, a move expected to cut emissions by up to one million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually—comparable to removing around two million cars from the roads each year. This supports national climate goals while safeguarding local ecosystems.

Looking ahead, the Amaala destination is set to open as a luxury wellness and regenerative tourism hub, with visitor numbers capped at 1.5 million annually. This controlled approach is designed to protect the natural environment, maintain premium service standards, and ensure the long-term success of the project’s sustainability commitments.

Source: One Arabia

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