For a long time, investing in sustainability was viewed as an additional cost borne by developers to improve the efficiency of the building and reduce its environmental impact. But this view is starting to change as the real estate market shifts from focusing on the cost of construction to accounting for the cost of owning and operating the property throughout its lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Saudi Arabia, sustainability is no longer just a future direction. In 2025, the number of certified areas exceeded 1 million hectares. Green Buildings<\/strong><\/a> One million square meters within 6,662 projects, according to data Saudi Green Building Forum<\/a><\/strong>. As the data indicated, these projects contribute to reducing approximately 62.8 thousand tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. But the economic value of sustainability begins elsewhere\u2014the operating bill. A more efficient building in terms of electricity and water consumption not only achieves environmental gains but also reduces recurring expenses for the owner or tenant. As the importance of operating and maintenance costs increases in investment decisions, the difference between an ordinary building and a highly efficient one becomes part of the return on investment, not just a design advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent study by Knight Frank reveals that 48% international property buyers in Saudi Arabia consider energy efficiency to be one of the most important sustainability characteristics, while 46% choose water efficiency, 44 air quality and ventilation systems. This means that sustainability characteristics are now effectively entering the property selection equation, especially among buyers from more mature markets in this field. In the Kingdom, the regulatory system is also moving towards institutionalizing this concept. The \u00abSustainable Construction\u201d program witnessed a growth of 32 percent in the number of projects benefiting from sustainability assessment during 2024, reaching 75 projects with an area of nearly 47 million square meters. The assessment also covers energy efficiency, water quality, life quality, operation and maintenance. Therefore, the real question is no longer how much will sustainability cost? But rather, how much will not being sustainable cost us? From here, sustainability transforms from a clause in the list of specifications into an element of the investment value of the property; a transformation that may become more apparent as investors and buyers become more interested in what they will pay after purchasing the property, and not just what they will pay when purchasing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> Minutes<\/span><\/span>For a long time, investing in sustainability was seen as an additional cost borne by the developer to increase a building's efficiency and reduce its environmental impact. However, this view has begun to change as the real estate market shifts from focusing on construction costs to calculating the cost of owning and operating the property throughout its lifecycle. In Saudi Arabia, sustainability is no longer just a future trend. In 2025\u2026 Read 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This point becomes even more important as we move from the purchase decision to the resale value. A property that consumes less energy, offers a better indoor environment, and carries a reliable sustainability certification may have greater potential to retain its appeal compared to a traditional property over the years. On the other hand, inefficient old buildings may face an increasing risk of becoming less attractive to tenants and investors, a phenomenon that global real estate institutions are starting to describe as the \u201coutdatedness\u201d risks associated with the high market demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that does not mean that every investment in sustainability yields an automatic return. The return depends on the cost of the technology, the size of the building, the nature of its use, the climate, and the payback period of the investment. Installing high-efficiency systems without studying the life cycle of the asset may increase the construction cost without achieving sufficient savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And with maturity Saudi Arabia's real estate market<\/a><\/strong>It seems that the equation is gradually changing. The most valuable property in the future will not necessarily be the cheapest when it is built; rather, it is the property that achieves the best balance between the cost of construction, the cost of operation, quality of use, and resale value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
@ArchHesham
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