Saudi arabia: Saudi airports have obtained environmental permits from the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), in cooperation with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in a move aimed at strengthening environmental compliance and reducing environmental risks associated with operational activities. The initiative also introduces a systematic environmental monitoring framework to ensure operational efficiency and address non-compliance cases in an organized manner.
According to Saudi Press Agency, NCEC spokesperson Saad Al-Mutrafi said that issuing environmental permits for airports will contribute to enhancing airports' environmental performance indicators in line with international standards and best practices. He noted that this will help reduce environmental and operational risks surrounding airport operations, while ensuring facilities comply with requirements related to environmental reporting, environmental management plans, and periodic environmental inspections in accordance with approved environmental laws and regulations.
Al-Mutrafi added that the effective cooperation with the GACA significantly accelerated compliance and implementation rates, alongside continuous coordination with NCEC in its role as the regulatory authority responsible for enhancing environmental compliance across all environmentally impactful activities and facilities.
He further noted that the center increased the number of environmentally licensed facilities by 32% last year compared to the previous year, bringing the total number of environmentally permitted facilities across Saudi Arabia to more than 55,000, including airports.