Developing a Risk-Based Environmental Management Framework for Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

: Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure transformation under Vision 2030 is creating an exceptional need for environmental management systems that can operate at the scale, speed, complexity and ecological sensitivity of giga-and mega-project delivery. Conventional environmental management plans often catalogue impacts and controls but do not always provide a transparent method for prioritising uncertain, cumulative and high-consequence environmental risks across the project life cycle. This paper develops a risk-based environmental management framework for large-scale infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. The study adopts a conceptual and structured narrative synthesis of contemporary construction-sustainability literature, international risk and environmental management standards, and Saudi regulatory and policy requirements. The proposed framework integrates ISO 31000 risk principles with the lifecycle and continual-improvement logic of ISO 14001:2026, while reflecting National Center for Environmental Compliance permitting and monitoring expectations. It introduces a six-factor adjusted environmental risk score combining likelihood, consequence, exposure, legal significance, ecological reversibility and control effectiveness. The framework is organised into eight connected stages: context and compliance definition; risk identification; analysis; evaluation; treatment planning; control execution; monitoring and assurance; and adaptive review. A practical risk taxonomy, scoring criteria, governance structure, key performance indicators and an illustrative risk register are presented. The framework is designed to strengthen traceability from environmental impact assessment through design, construction, commissioning, operation and closure, enabling project teams to concentrate resources on material environmental risks rather than treating all aspects equally. The paper contributes a Saudi-contextualised decision-support approach that links regulatory compliance, project risk governance and environmental performance. Empirical validation through expert elicitation and application to active infrastructure projects is recommended as the next research stage.