RIYADH — Soil pollution is emerging as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, threatening human health, food security, and climate resilience. From oil spills and mining to pesticide overuse and poor waste management, contamination is steadily eroding ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide.
Global Risks of Soil Pollution
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that soil degradation could undermine global food systems and public health. According to the European Environment Agency, more than 500,000 premature deaths each year are linked to soil contamination, while UNEP estimates that 40 percent of the global population — over 3 billion people — is directly affected.
Contaminants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and agrochemicals reduce fertility, seep into groundwater, and enter the food chain — with devastating consequences.
International Efforts to Combat Soil Degradation
In 2018, the FAO Global Soil Partnership, alongside WHO, UNEP, and other agencies, launched the Global Symposium on Soil Pollution (GSOP18) to move the issue from technical studies to actionable global policies. Science confirms that soils are the main sink for heavy metals, making monitoring and remediation vital.
Soil Pollution in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, amid rapid industrial growth and urban expansion, faces its own soil pollution challenges. Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic have been detected in regions such as Yanbu, Riyadh, Jubail, and Al-Ahsa. These contaminants not only hinder plant growth but also pose serious health risks through the food chain.
Recent studies, including a 2023 assessment by King Saud University, confirmed elevated levels of toxic elements in agricultural soil. Although still below global risk thresholds, these findings highlight the need for early intervention and continuous monitoring.
Vision 2030 and Saudi Environmental Policy
Guided by Vision 2030, the Kingdom has made soil and environmental protection a key pillar of its transformation. A major milestone came in 2020 with the Executive Regulation for Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, setting strict rules for contamination control, remediation, and penalties.
The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) was also established to enforce these policies. Since 2023, NCEC has conducted 16 emergency mobilization exercises, working with Marine Operations for Environmental Services (SAIL), which runs the Middle East’s largest environmental emergency fleet.
Innovation and Monitoring
Saudi Arabia is adopting drone-based surveillance and satellite remote sensing to monitor its 2,480 km coastline, enhancing its ability to respond to soil and marine pollution incidents.
Authorities are also pushing for:
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Stricter hazardous waste management in industrial zones.
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Better fertilizer and pesticide guidelines in agriculture.
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Promotion of treated wastewater standards.
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Soil-health practices such as re-vegetation and erosion control to strengthen climate resilience.
A Global Call to Action
The urgency of the soil pollution crisis is echoed worldwide. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen warned on Zero Waste Day:
“Our planet cannot keep endlessly giving up resources and receiving pollution in return. Nature doesn’t waste — and nor should we.”
As Saudi Arabia strengthens its environmental frameworks under Vision 2030, it also contributes to a growing international movement to protect soils, recognizing them as natural capital that underpins food security and human survival.
