Red Sea International a series of unprecedented achievements in the fields of sustainable design and operations, after several of its assets received the prestigious international “LEED” certifications. These achievements included Red Sea International Airport receiving LEED Platinum certification, making it one of only four airports worldwide to attain this high rating, Turtle Bay International School also received LEED Platinum certification with the highest score ever recorded under the LEED v4 rating system for schools (Building Design and Construction [BD+C] category).
In a parallel achievement, the company’s Central Distribution Center received LEED Gold certification, ranking it among the most sustainable warehousing facilities in the region, and the master plans for both “Turtle Bay” and “Employee Village” in Amala received LEED Platinum certification for communities.
Raed Al-Basit, Head of Sustainability and Environment at Red Sea International, said on this occasion: “These certifications represent not only technical achievements but also embody a deep-rooted approach that makes sustainability the core of everything we do—from full reliance on renewable energy to advanced water reuse systems, and circular waste management that transforms waste into resources and low-emission mobility solutions, we are working to integrate sustainability and innovation into all our operations.” He noted that the airport’s attainment of this rating underscores its advanced sustainability framework, which includes full operation on renewable energy, the implementation of highly efficient energy management systems, and the use of sustainable aviation fuel for seaplane flights, explaining that this achievement crowns years of integrated collaboration among various teams and embodies the company’s comprehensive approach to developing infrastructure that provides long-term sustainable value environmentally, socially, and economically.
He added: “Turtle Bay International School achieved LEED Platinum certification after scoring 92 points, the highest rating ever recorded under the LEED v4 system for schools. Globally, only 15 schools have achieved this level of certification, making the school the first educational facility locally to achieve this milestone and setting a new standard in sustainable education, advanced architectural design, and innovative learning environments.”
Regarding storage facilities, the Central Distribution Center earned LEED Gold certification after achieving 73 points, ranking among the most sustainable storage facilities in the Middle East, reflecting the company’s commitment to reinventing industrial design through innovative environmental solutions, including smart energy management, optimized material usage, and enhanced operational efficiency.
With Amala’s attainment of LEED certification for communities (planning and design phase), it has cemented its presence within a global benchmark system focused on sustainable urban planning and large-scale development, encompassing environmental and social dimensions, economic development, urban resilience, governance, and quality of life. This certification places the project among a select list of only 45 projects worldwide that have received this certification, including 16 that have achieved Platinum status, such as the first phase of The Red Sea, This certification marks the first LEED certification for the Amala project, establishing a solid foundation that reinforces its position as a global model for responsible development and an advanced standard for the future of sustainable communities.
The Red Sea Destination is one of the central pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, currently comprising nine luxury resorts open to guests, while Shura Island, the heart of the destination, began welcoming guests last year with the opening of the first of its 11 resorts. Red Sea International recently announced the upcoming opening of Amala, its luxury destination specializing in wellness and wellness, carefully designed to welcome no more than "1.5" million visitors annually to preserve the pristine environment.
Both the Red Sea and Amala destinations operate entirely on renewable energy at a rate of 100%, contributing to a reduction of up to one million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually—equivalent to removing two million cars from the roads for an entire year.
