Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is integral to KAUST's overall mission to nurture innovation in science and technology, and support world-class research in areas such as energy and the environment that are important to Saudi Arabia, the region and the world. This emphasis on sustainable practices influences KAUST’s research agenda, campus planning, and operations.

KAUST integrates sustainable measures into the design of the entire community. The University demonstrates new ways to build in the region, and new ways to live that promote responsible stewardship of energy resources.

The unique desert climate of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East create opportunities and challenges for KAUST, including ample sunlight, limited rainfall and potable water resources. KAUST has an important role to play in conserving these resources, finding new and innovative methods to manage and sustain them, and exploring and developing alternative energy sources.

Since many of the traditional Middle Eastern building methods have been formed by environmental responses that pre-date the use of energy-intensive building processes, KAUST’s sustainable development will help to increase awareness of local aesthetics and culture. This educational value will extend beyond research in the classrooms, and continue throughout the daily lives of all those who live, work and study in the KAUST community.

The University’s focus on sustainable development is also reflected in the choice of location and in the campus and community plan. The physical campus and its operations will minimize the environmental footprint through efficient use of water, electricity and other resources, and through materials reuse and recycling. Construction will be performed with care to preserve the environment. A signature feature of the campus will be a marine sanctuary and research facility focused around a unique coral reef ecosystem located on the University’s near-shore and shoreline property.

KAUST is committed to innovation in sustainable development and increasing global public awareness about these important issues. The University act as a living laboratory, demonstrating that environmentally responsible methods of energy use, materials management, and water consumption are viable in the region.

Sustainable development has influenced six main areas of KAUST’s campus design:

• Sustainable Site Planning
• Building Materials and Resources
• Water Conservation
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Ventilation and Lighting
• Coral Reef and Mangrove Protection

In addition to these six main areas, KAUST has implemented a community-wide recycling and composting program to reduce the amount of waste produced by the University, and an alternative transportation plan to provide fuel efficient transportation options for all residents.

KAUST will follow the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED rating system for establishing performance criteria in sustainable development. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the internationally recognized benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. The University aspires to achieve a LEED Platinum designation − the USGBC’s highest rating − when it opens in 2009.