This June 5, we are excited to announce that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the proud host of World Environment Day, under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.
Established in 1973, World Environment Day has become the most influential platform for environmental outreach, celebrated by millions across the world. Given Saudi Arabia’s vast desert environment, this year’s theme holds significant importance for the Kingdom’s sustainability and ecological balance. As a strategic partner in this global event, KAUST is at the forefront of championing environmental awareness and innovative solutions to combat these challenges.
This year, as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, we invite our community to join a series of impactful activities and initiatives, specifically tailored to raise awareness for the pressing issues of land degradation, desertification, water scarcity and overall environmental sustainability within our region.
Sustainability Seminar Series: Safeguarding Drylands to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Professor Fernando T. Maestre from BESE will be engaging the KAUST community in an enlightening seminar on dryland protection. Drylands cover over 41% of the Earth’s surface and are home to nearly 40% of the global population. However, unsustainable resource use, climate change and population growth are causing severe land degradation and desertification, hindering progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Discover the key environmental challenges affecting drylands and explore innovative solutions to reverse resource mismanagement, combat land degradation, mitigate climate change and preserve dryland’s unique biodiversity.
Location: Building 20, Rehearsal room
Date and time: June 5, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.
For online attendance, click here
Light refreshments will be provided.
Panel discussion on Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience
Join us for an insightful panel discussion focusing on the critical theme of “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.” Our expert panelists will delve into innovative strategies and solutions to combat desertification, enhance drought resilience and restore our lands for a sustainable future. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking session that highlights some KAUST success stories, the challenges faced and the path forward to ensure the health of local ecosystems.
The panelists are:
Prof. Himanshu Mishra , Associate Prof. in Plant Science and Co- founder of Terraxy
Dr. Rebekah Waller, Agriculture Specialist, and
Dr. Maged Saad, Senior Research Scientist and the CEO of GrowBioM
The session will be moderated by Mohammad Almagweshi, Student and member of Students for Sustainability.
Location: Building 20, Rehearsal room
Date and time: June 5, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Beacon of Hope for Coral Reefs: A Journey Through KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative Efforts
The KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative will present an engaging exhibition designed to educate the community about its crucial efforts in preserving coral reefs and marine life. The exhibition will showcase the initiative’s major components through dynamic visual displays and informative videos, offering an in-depth look at significant milestones. Visitors will gain a comprehensive understanding of the initiative’s efforts in coral restoration, all presented in a self-explanatory format that highlights the initiative’s dedication to ocean conservation and the protection of vital marine ecosystems.
Location: Building 16, coffee area
Date and time: June 2 to June 6, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sustainability Action Lab Inauguration
In celebration of World Environment Day, KAUST is inaugurating the Sustainability Action Lab on the campus spine. This dedicated space features information about the SDGs and aims to promote sustainability literacy. It offers a venue for meetings, casual chats and relaxing reading of sustainability-related materials. Enjoy the light refreshments and test your sustainability knowledge for a chance to win prizes. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore, learn and engage with our new hub for sustainability action!
Location: Building 5, Room 2290
Date and time: June 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Global Climate Summit Simulation
Join an interactive and reflective exercise designed to understand the impact of greenhouse gas emission-reduction pledges on achieving sustainability goals.
During this workshop led by Prof. Mani Sarathy, participants will play the role of delegates representing groups of nations from around the world. The objective is to negotiate agreements aimed at limiting global warming to no more than 2 (preferably 1.5) degrees Celsius above preindustrial global temperature. The negotiations will also include financing and afforestation targets. Following the discussions, the pledges will be evaluated using the C-ROADS Simulator to determine their efficiency in meeting the target.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the importance of effective policy-making for achieving a sustainable future. This event is open to the entire KAUST community, with attendance limited to 30 participants. Refreshments will be provided.
Location: Auditorium between buildings 4 and 5
Date and time: June 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
To register, click here
Celebrating World Environment Day with a Beekeeping Workshop at KAUST
The KAUST Beekeeping Club and the Health, Safety, and Environment Department of KAUST are excited to announce the first-ever Beekeeping Workshop. The workshop will feature the esteemed Professor Ahmad bin Abdullah Alkhazim Alghamdi, Chairman of the Board Council of the Beekeepers Cooperative Association. Professor Alghamdi is a leading expert in the field, and his insights will educate participants about the crucial role bees play in our ecosystem and promote sustainable beekeeping practices.
Bees are essential for pollinating plants, helping to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems. This makes them vital for land restoration efforts.
We invite all Beekeeping Club members and the wider KAUST community to join this special event as we celebrate World Environment Day with a focus on environmental stewardship through the fascinating world of beekeeping.
Location: Safaa Golf Club
Date and time: June 5, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Flora, Fauna and Beyond: Discovering Biodiversity at KAUST Gardens
The aim of this workshop is to instill in the local community an appreciation of KAUST biodiversity. Participants will use the iNaturalist citizen science platform to log species found around campus. Experts from the Terrestrial Ecology and Conservation department of KAUST Beacon Development will guide the process. This workshop is perfect for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone eager to learn more about Saudi biodiversity. The workshop is open to 15 participants.
Location: Building 16, Room 2206
Date: June 5, from 8:00 to 9:30 am.
To register, click here
Mosaic for the Planet
Join the celebrations of World Environment Day with a creative and ecofriendly activity co-organized by the Students for Sustainability and The Art Perspective and sponsored by the Office of Student Life, Graduate Affairs. Contribute to creating a stunning collaborative mosaic using waste materials such as conference posters, plastic caps and canvas wedges. This hands-on event is open to all skill levels. Join for the whole session or stop by any time to make your contribution. Let’s make art while making a difference!
Location: Art Studio, Student Center Level 4
Date and time: June 5, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Special Artwork Display at Discovery Square
Grab the opportunity to enjoy a special artwork display at Discovery Square, created by Facilities Management in collaboration with TKS elementary students. The artwork highlights the impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The centerpiece — a revitalized tree called “Humming Tree,” adorned with over 2,000 repurposed bottle caps and upcycled dream catchers — symbolizes sustainability and creativity. Witness how young artists transform waste into a powerful environmental statement. Additional works include “Fish Tail,” a sculpture filled with plastic waste to highlight sea pollution.
Location: Discovery Square
Date and time: From June 5 to 9, all day
Sunset Yoga
Join a relaxing sunset yoga session to close the World Environment Day celebrations! As the sun sets, enjoy a peaceful yoga flow with a fresh breeze guided by Garage Yoga Community teacher Nimisha. This event is a great way to connect with the surrounding environment and unwind. Whether you’re experienced or new to yoga, everyone is welcome. Bring your mat, a positive attitude, and come celebrate the beauty of our planet with us. Let’s enjoy a calming evening together!
Location: King Abdullah Monument Park
Date and time: June 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
This celebration is a collaboration between the Center for Desert Agriculture, Students for Sustainability, BESE, the Clean Combustion Research Center, Facilities Management, the KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative, the Health, Safety, and Environment Department, KAUST Beacon Development, TKS, Graduate Affairs, The Art Perspective, The KAUST Beekeeping Club, and the Office of Sustainability.
