Stakeholders

The KAUST Research Workshop, Driving Sustainability Through Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declarations, brings together an exceptional network of national and international stakeholders committed to advancing lifecycle assessment, environmental product declarations, and science-based sustainability practices.
This diverse community represents government ministries, regulatory authorities, leading industries, utilities, academia, food systems, environmental organizations, and global standards bodies.
Their participation reflects a shared vision to strengthen lifecycle data, improve transparency, and support Saudi Arabia’s transformation toward sustainable and resilient development.

 

 

Government Ministries and Regulatory Authorities

These stakeholders provide the national frameworks, regulations, and strategic directions that shape lifecycle data, sustainability reporting, product transparency, and environmental compliance in the Kingdom. Their participation reinforces the alignment of this workshop with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

Representative entities include:

  • Ministry of Energy
  • Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture
  • Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
  • National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC)
  • Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO)
  • Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)
  • Saudi Green Initiative Offices
  • National Transformation Program offices and related governmental bodies

These entities play a vital role in developing national standards, enabling data collection, supporting circularity, and guiding private sector compliance.

 

 

Industrial and Manufacturing Leaders

Industrial organizations across chemicals, plastics, packaging, metals, construction materials, consumer goods, and fast-moving manufacturing sectors are central to the national lifecycle data ecosystem. Their engagement supports the transition toward transparent, low-impact, and measurable environmental performance.

Representative sectors and entities include:

  • Chemical and materials producers
  • Packaging and plastics industries
  • Manufacturing companies across food, beverage, and consumer goods
  • Industrial clusters and specialized producers
  • Companies engaged in circularity and recycling operations

These stakeholders contribute valuable product-level data, sectoral insights, and practical pathways for implementing LCA and developing EPDs within their operations.

Energy, Water, and Utilities Stakeholders

Given the centrality of energy and water systems to lifecycle impacts in Saudi Arabia, the participation of utilities and resource authorities is essential. Their role extends from carbon accounting to energy production methods, water desalination technologies, and national infrastructure planning.

Representative entities include:

  • Saudi Electricity Company (SEC)
  • Water authorities and desalination entities
  • Fuel and energy producers
  • Organizations developing renewable energy and emerging technologies

Their expertise supports more accurate emissions factors, better modeling assumptions, and improved national environmental reporting. 

Food Systems, Agriculture, and Environmental Organizations

The food and agriculture sectors are critical contributors to lifecycle impacts related to land use, water consumption, packaging, and supply chains. Their involvement strengthens the cross-sectoral approach required to build a comprehensive national inventory.

Representative sectors and entities include:

  • Food production companies
  • Agricultural producers and cooperatives
  • Organizations working on food safety, certification, and supply chain traceability
  • Environmental NGOs and nature conservation institutions

These stakeholders help expand lifecycle thinking into food systems, land stewardship, and sustainable resource management. 

Academia, Research Institutions, and Innovation Centers

Academic partners and research centers provide scientific foundations, methodological rigor, and analytical tools necessary to advance LCA and EPD development. Their contributions support national capacity building, technology development, data generation, and neutral third-party research.

Representative entities include:

  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
  • Saudi universities and technical institutions
  • International universities collaborating on environmental modeling
  • Research centers focused on materials, climate, energy, water, environment, and sustainability

Their participation ensures knowledge transfer, talent development, and scientific integrity across all workshop topics.

International Partners, Standards Bodies, and Verification Organizations

The workshop hosts several global organizations whose presence connects Saudi Arabia’s sustainable development efforts to international best practices and recognized environmental standards.

Representative entities include:

  • EPD International (The International EPD System)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • International verification and certification bodies
  • LCA methodological organizations and data standards groups

Their involvement strengthens global interoperability, enhances transparency, and promotes credibility in environmental reporting across Saudi sectors.

Private Sector Consultancies and LCA Practitioners

These stakeholders support the technical implementation of lifecycle assessment, modeling, verification, and environmental management. Their work enables companies across all sectors to prepare high-quality LCAs, develop EPDs, and comply with recognized standards.

Representative categories include:

  • LCA consulting firms
  • Environmental and sustainability consultancies
  • Verification bodies
  • Firms specializing in modeling software and digital lifecycle tools

They play a key role in accelerating the adoption of LCA and ensuring technical depth and quality assurance in the national ecosystem.

 

Cross-Sector Collaboration

The strength of this workshop lies in its multi-sector participation. By bringing together ministries, industries, utilities, researchers, consultants, and global organizations, the event fosters collaboration that transcends individual sectors.
This integrated approach supports:

  • Harmonized national datasets
  • Stronger environmental disclosures
  • Better decision-making
  • Accelerated progress toward Vision 2030 sustainability goals

The stakeholder ecosystem assembled for this workshop represents a collective commitment to advancing lifecycle data, transparency, and evidence-based sustainability across the Kingdom.