Saudi Arabia’s Role in Obstructing the Energy Transition at COP30

The Importance of COP30: COP30 was held in November 2025 in Brazil at a critical moment after global warming trajectories surpassed the 1.5°C threshold. The conference served as a key platform for discussing global climate policies, reducing emissions, and supporting countries most vulnerable to climate change. It brought together major oil-producing countries such as Saudi[…]

Sustainable Construction in Saudi Arabia: Balancing Vision 2030 Ambitions with Environmental, Social, and Economic Challenges

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), the country is implementing green policies in construction to promote sustainability, reduce emissions, and support a green economy. Launched in 2021, SGI unites government, private sector, and society-wide efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, with construction playing a key role in[…]

Forced Labor Complaint Exposes Saudi Arabia’s Migrant Worker Abuses Amid Vision 2030 Ambitions

The recent forced labor complaint against the Saudi Arabian government by the Building and Wood Workers’ International Union (BWI) underscores significant concerns about the treatment of migrant workers under the country’s Vision 2030 plan. This action by the BWI, representing 12 million members, serves as a stark warning to Saudi authorities, businesses, and investors about[…]

Diverting attention from human rights abuses: the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia

On July 3, 2024, the Esports World Cup, the largest global event of its kind, will kick off in Saudi Arabia amid controversy in the gaming community. Saudi’s last attempt to become a hub for international esports has, once more, triggered discussions about the ethical implications of hosting major sports -and esports- events in countries[…]

Incomprehensible ideas to address climate change: a futuristic ski resort in the middle of the Saudi desert

Snow-covered mountains, people skiing, and luxury accommodations are some of the images Saudi Arabia wants to imprint in people’s minds about Trojena, one of four major parts, alongside The Line, Oxagon, and Sindalah, of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s brainchild: “NEOM”, a $550 billion “giga-project” that aims to show the world Saudi Arabia’s grand[…]