SERVICES

At KAUST Urban Lab, we offer a suite of professional services designed to support cities, organizations, and industries in their transition toward sustainable and resilient futures. Built on cutting-edge research and advanced analytics, our services bridge the gap between science, policy, and practice. Whether through sustainability consulting, climate action planning, carbon market strategies, or professional training, our team of experts provides tailored solutions that align with national goals such as Saudi Vision 2030 and global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that clients receive holistic and actionable insights rooted in scientific rigor.

Services
Training and Accreditation Programs

Urban Lab is committed to building capacity and knowledge through specialized training and accreditation programs. KSA’s Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on developing human capital via education and professional certifications​, and our training services support this mandate in the sustainability sector. We offer workshops, courses, and collaborative programs to equip practitioners, students, and officials with cutting-edge skills in sustainability, climate action, and environmental management. Content is delivered by our experts and often developed in partnership with leading institutions, ensuring both global best practices and local context are addressed. Participants can earn recognized credentials or certificates upon completion, enhancing their professional development and empowering them to drive change within their organizations. (Urban Lab has provided training for government planners on sustainable urban development and helped industry professionals attain sustainability accreditation, fostering a new generation of green leaders.)

Services include:

  • Professional Workshops & Seminars: Short-term training sessions on topics like life cycle assessment, climate risk management, carbon accounting, and sustainable urban design.
  • Certification & Accreditation Courses: Preparatory programs for internationally recognized certifications (e.g. LEED Green Associate/AP, Energy Manager, GHG Inventory Specialist), delivered with curriculum tailored to local needs.
  • Customized Corporate Training: In-house training modules for companies and government agencies to build staff capacity in environmental compliance, ESG reporting, and sustainability best practices.
  • Academic & Community Outreach Programs: Hands-on training and internship opportunities for students and community members, linking academic research with practical applications in line with Vision 2030’s human development goals.
  • Train-the-Trainer and Capacity Building: Developing local expertise by training future instructors and sustainability champions, ensuring long-term impact and knowledge transfer within the Kingdom.

Our Carbon Market Solutions help organizations navigate the emerging carbon economy—from measuring emissions to participating in carbon trading. Saudi Arabia, which has set a net-zero target for 2060, aims to become one of the largest voluntary carbon markets in the world by 2030​. In this context, Urban Lab provides the expertise to turn carbon commitments into opportunities. We assist clients in quantifying their carbon footprints and identifying reduction strategies as part of the Circular Carbon Economy framework. We also support the development of carbon offset projects (such as renewable energy or forestry initiatives) and guide organizations through the validation, crediting, and trading process. Whether a company seeks to achieve carbon neutrality or invest in carbon credits, we offer end-to-end advisory to ensure credible, impactful outcomes. (For example, we have advised firms on preparing for regional carbon credit auctions and facilitated projects that generate verified carbon offsets, helping clients meet ESG goals while creating tradable assets.)

Services include:

  • Carbon Footprint Assessment: Comprehensive greenhouse gas accounting for organizations, products, or events (in accordance with GHG Protocol standards).
  • Emissions Reduction Planning: Crafting decarbonization roadmaps and energy transition strategies to lower carbon emissions in operations and supply chains.
  • Carbon Offset Project Development: Designing and evaluating projects like afforestation, renewable energy, or carbon capture that can produce carbon credits and environmental co-benefits.
  • Carbon Credit Verification & Trading Support: Assisting with certification processes (verifying emissions reductions) and advising on buying/selling carbon credits in voluntary markets.
  • Carbon Neutrality & ESG Advisory: Guiding businesses and institutions to achieve carbon neutrality or net-zero pledges, including portfolio analysis and integration of carbon markets into sustainability strategies.

This category covers data-driven analysis of climate risks and the development of actionable plans to address them. We employ advanced risk assessments and adaptation strategies​ to help cities and businesses prepare for and respond to climate change impacts. Our climate analytics work includes modeling and forecasting (for example, using machine-learning projections of urban heat island trends​) to pinpoint vulnerabilities such as extreme heat, flooding, or air quality issues. We then translate these insights into Climate Action Plans, greenhouse gas reduction roadmaps, and resilience measures that align with global climate goals. By turning analytics into action, we enable stakeholders to proactively manage climate risks and build more resilient communities. (For instance, Urban Lab’s research on mitigating rising urban temperatures in Saudi cities has informed practical cooling solutions and adaptation strategies​).

Services include:

  • Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessments: Evaluating exposure to climate hazards (heatwaves, droughts, flooding, sea-level rise, etc.) for cities, developments, or organizations.
  • Urban Climate Modeling & Analytics: Analyzing microclimates and trends (e.g. urban heat island effects, rainfall patterns) using GIS and data science to inform planning​.
  • Climate Action Plan Development: Crafting strategic plans for cities or companies to reduce GHG emissions (mitigation) and enhance adaptive capacity, in line with Paris Agreement goals.
  • Resilience and Adaptation Strategy: Designing measures such as green infrastructure, flood management, or heat mitigation solutions to protect infrastructure and communities​.
  • Emissions Inventory & Monitoring: Calculating baseline carbon emissions and establishing tracking systems to monitor progress toward sustainability or net-zero targets.

In this service area, we focus on evaluating and enhancing the environmental sustainability of projects, products, and policies. Using life-cycle thinking, we assess impacts from design to disposal, providing strategies to reduce carbon footprints and improve resource efficiency. Our expertise spans comprehensive sustainability assessments, green building consulting, life cycle assessments (LCA), and environmental impact analyses​. By identifying opportunities for greener design and operations, we help clients meet international sustainability standards and contribute to Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainability targets. (For example, Urban Lab has applied LCA across sectors – energy, water, construction, and more – to drive resource efficiency and innovation​),

Services include:

  • Sustainability Strategy & Consulting: Developing sustainability roadmaps, policies, and management plans to reduce environmental footprint.
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Studies: Conducting cradle-to-grave analyses of products, buildings, or infrastructure to quantify environmental impacts and improve design choices.
  • Green Building & Eco-Design Advisory: Guiding sustainable architecture, urban planning, and certifications (e.g. LEED, BREEAM) for energy-efficient, low-impact development.
  • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Evaluating potential environmental effects of proposed projects and recommending mitigation measures in line with regulatory standards.
  • Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy: Identifying ways to enhance resource use (energy, water, materials) and incorporate recycling/reuse to support circular economy goals.

Get in touch

Urban Lab welcomes collaboration and partnership opportunities to advance sustainable development. We actively work with universities, government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations, and we invite prospective collaborators, clients, and partners to reach out. If you are interested in our services or wish to explore a project together, please contact us at urbanlab@kaust.edu.sa. Let’s work together to create a more sustainable and resilient future.