Page 32 - U4SSC Factsheet, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 2020

Air Quality

Category KPI Result Performance to Benchmark SDG

Particulate Matter 64.00 µg/m 3
(PM )
2.5

Particulate Matter 218.00 µg/m 3
(PM )
10
Nitrogen Dioxide 105.35 µg/m 3
(NO )
2

Sulphur Dioxide 9.68 µg/m 3
(SO )
2

Ozone (O ) 58.00 µg/m
3
3

GHG Emissions
(eCO / capita) 9.10 tonnes
2

Compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the major components of air
pollution, Riyadh’s performance shows some room for improvement. This would be important in the
fight against climate change and for the overall health of the city’s environment and residents.

Notably, as Riyadh’s reported value for greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) is almost twice that of the
Arab region’s emissions of 4.7 tonnes, the city should make use of Recommendation ITU-T L.1450 on
‘Methodologies for the assessment of the environmental impact of the information and communication
technology sector’ and Recommendation ITU-T L.1460: ‘Connect 2020 greenhouse gas emission
guidelines’. Doing so will provide the city a roadmap to address the Connect 2030 GHG emissions
target, while considering SDG 13 and the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Reduction of particulate matter is needed in Riyadh and can be achieved in several ways through a
comprehensive control strategy that combines strong regulations with incentive approaches, such as
the following:

• Smoke from factories, power plants, and large industrial and manufacturing facilities should be
regulated.
• Strict emission standards for cars and other motor vehicles such as trucks, buses, motorcycles and
trains should be mandated, along with the development of fuel specifications for all vehicles and
periodic inspection and maintenance.

26 U4SSC Factsheet | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | June 2020