SGBF: 312 Projects in 22 Arab Countries, Landmark 2025 Outcome
The Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) announced the registration of 312 green building projects under the saaf system across 22 Arab countries, with a total built-up area of 785,123.20 square meters, reflecting the expanding regional impact of the Saudi system in supporting the transition toward a low-carbon built environment.
SGBF noted that approved estimates, based on the sufficiency methodology integrated into the saaf system, indicate that these projects contribute to achieving an estimated annual operational reduction of approximately 62,800 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) compared to conventional construction practices. This reduction is achieved by lowering demand for energy and water, improving climate-responsive design, and rationalizing consumption prior to applying efficiency solutions.
The announcement comes as part of the forum’s contribution to supporting the efforts of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) in preparing the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction.
On this occasion, SGBF Secretary-General Eng. Faisal Al-Fadl said: “These figures represent a landmark outcome for 2025. Closing 2025 with such an achievement reflects the Arab region’s confidence in the saaf system as a professional national framework leading transformation in the construction sector through a sufficiency-first approach before efficiency. Registering more than 312 projects in 22 Arab countries and achieving an estimated impact exceeding 62,000 tons of annual emissions reductions stress that investment in green buildings is no longer merely an environmental option, but a developmental, economic, and strategic pathway that serves the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and supports commitments to global climate action.”
Al-Fadl stressed the forum’s commitment to continuing cooperation with relevant entities, the United Nations ecosystem, and GlobalABC to enhance Arab region representation in international efforts aimed at decarbonizing the buildings and construction sector, and to consolidate the Kingdom’s role as a leading model in sustainability and environmental innovation.
