The Middle East is currently the world’s most active construction site. A development that, unfortunately, comes with a heavy carbon price tag. The construction sector is responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, with cement production alone accounting for 8%.
As Saudi Arabia races to build NEOM and diversify its economy, it faces a paradox. How does one build the future without destroying the climate? The solution emerging from the region is a rapid industrial pivot toward “Green Concrete” and strict regulatory enforcement, transforming the construction sector from a major polluter into a laboratory for sustainable material science.
Science Of Green Cement
The industry is moving away from Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), the traditional carbon-heavy standard, toward advanced “Green Cement” alternatives that offer structural superiority alongside environmental benefits. A prime example is the partnership between Al Jouf Cement Company and NEOM. Al Jouf has developed a green cement that reduces CO2 emissions by 30% compared to standard cement.
Crucially, this material is engineered for the region’s harsh environment (offering superior resistance to chloride and salt), making it essential for coastal projects like “THE LINE” and “Oxagon” where saltwater corrosion is a constant threat. Furthermore, this cement has a lower “heat of hydration,” meaning it requires less ice cooling during the curing process (a massive energy saver in the Saudi summer heat).
NEOM is not just buying these materials. It is manufacturing them. In October 2024, NEOM announced a partnership with Asas Al-Mohileb to build a SAR 700 million concrete factory. This is not a standard batching plant; it is a high-tech facility capable of producing over 20,000 cubic metres of green concrete daily.
By integrating Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technology directly into the production line, this facility ensures that the infrastructure of the future is built with near-zero embodied carbon, setting a new global standard for mega-projects.
The Regulatory Push
While technology provides the means, regulation provides the mandate. Saudi Arabia has moved from voluntary guidelines to mandatory enforcement through the Saudi Green Construction Code (SBC 601-602). The code is no longer a suggestion; it is a legal requirement for new developments.
It enforces strict minimum standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, and material sustainability. This regulatory floor ensures that green building practices are not limited to prestige projects like NEOM but are adopted across the wider real estate market.
The code covers everything from the thermal performance of glass to the recycling of construction waste, forcing contractors to modernise their supply chains or risk non-compliance. The market’s response to these regulations has been swift. The “Mostadam” (Sustainable Building) rating system, which certifies projects based on their environmental impact, has seen exponential adoption.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the number of projects receiving “Design Compliance Certificates” under Mostadam jumped by 140% compared to 2024. This surge indicates that developers are aggressively seeking sustainability certification not just to meet the law, but to attract international tenants and investors who demand green assets.
Foundation Of A New Future
Saudi Arabia’s pivot to “Green Concrete” and its rigorous regulatory framework, embodied by the Saudi “Green Construction Code” and the Mostadam rating system, marks a critical turning point for the global construction industry. The necessity of decarbonising NEOM, the world’s largest construction site, has catalysed innovation, transforming the sector from a carbon liability into a laboratory for sustainable material science.
By replacing traditional OPC with advanced, low-carbon cements that offer superior durability and lower energy consumption during curing, Saudi Arabia is setting a new near-zero embodied carbon standard for mega-projects.
The surge in Mostadam certifications confirms that sustainability is no longer a niche choice but a mandatory, market-driven imperative. This strategic integration of technology (Green Cement/CCU) and regulation (SBC 601-602) demonstrates that ambitious economic growth and climate responsibility can, and must, be achieved concurrently, providing a powerful, actionable blueprint for all nations facing the paradox of development in a warming world.