Red Sea Global, the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s regenerative tourism projects, The Red Sea and AMAALA, has reached a significant milestone by securing seven LEED certifications. These prestigious accolades reaffirm RSG’s commitment to sustainable development, setting a new standard for eco-friendly tourism and green building practices.
The six newly certified properties at The Red Sea have achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications under the Building Design + Construction (BD+C) category. Additionally, the AMAALA masterplan earned a LEED for Cities and Communities pre-certification, further emphasising RSG’s commitment to sustainable urban planning and development.
John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, underlined the company’s dedication to sustainability:
“We were determined to redefine industry standards from the outset. To ensure we deliver on this ambition, our development and delivery teams work hand in hand with our sustainability team at every stage, scrutinizing design plans and collaborating during the build process, resulting in high quality, low-impact properties.”
A closer look at the LEED certified properties
The following properties have received LEED certification:
- Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea – Platinum (LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality)
- The St. Regis Red Sea Resort – Platinum (LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality)
- Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Platinum (LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality)
- Turtle Bay Management Office – Platinum (LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction)
- The Red Sea linear apartments – Gold (LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction)
- The Red Sea type Z apartments – Gold (LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction)
- AMAALA masterplan – Platinum (LEED v4.1 Cities and Communities: Plan and Design Communities)
These certifications reflect RSG’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge sustainability features across its developments. From passive design techniques and energy-efficient technologies to water conservation strategies and the use of renewable materials, each property represents a model for eco-friendly construction.
A positive environmental impact
All six newly certified properties at The Red Sea are connected to the destination’s renewable energy infrastructure, operating entirely on solar power. This effort alone will prevent the emission of 575,000 tonnes of CO2 annually during Phase One of development—the equivalent of removing 133,000 cars from the road for a year or powering 75,000 homes. AMAALA, which is set to open in 2025, is projected to avoid 350,000 tonnes of CO2 annually when Phase One is complete.
Peter Templeton, CEO of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), praised RSG’s approach:
“Achieving LEED certification is more than just implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better. Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role buildings play in that effort, Red Sea Global is creating a path forward through their LEED certification.”
Red Sea International Airport: a sustainability pioneer
RSG’s sustainability efforts extend beyond buildings. Red Sea International Airport (RSI) is the first airport in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to be fully powered by solar energy 24 hours a day, demonstrating the company’s holistic approach to low-impact development.
In July 2024, RSG was recognised by the US Green Building Council as one of the 2024 LEED Power Builders, an accolade that honours outstanding commitment to sustainable building. RSG is the only developer outside the United States to receive this recognition, cementing its place as a global leader in sustainable tourism.
As The Red Sea project continues to evolve, RSG is on track to open additional hotels, including Shebara and Desert Rock, later this year. These new additions will complement the three hotels already in operation. Looking ahead to 2025, Shura Island is set to welcome guests, and international flights have already commenced, further enhancing access to this unique destination. Meanwhile, AMAALA is expected to open in 2025 with eight resorts, the Corallium Marine Life Institute, and the iconic Yacht Club.
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Read also: Red Sea Global’s 4th Annual Sustainability Report: towards 30% net conservation benefit
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Photos courtesy of RSG
