Shaden Resort earns first Green Globe certification

Shaden Resort in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, has received its inaugural Green Globe certification for sustainability efforts spanning energy, water, waste, biodiversity, community support and cultural preservation. The award puts the resort’s environmental and social programs in focus near the UNESCO-listed Hegra site.

Why it matters: - Shaden Resort’s first Green Globe certification signals third-party recognition for sustainability at a property near AlUla’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, where tourism pressure and conservation needs intersect. - The resort’s approach ties environmental management to local community impact, which can matter for destinations trying to grow tourism without weakening natural and cultural assets.

What happened: - Green Globe certification was awarded to Shaden Resort for the first time. - The resort is in Al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia, near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Al-Hijr, also known as Hegra. - The certification recognizes the resort’s effort to embed sustainability across operations with people and nature at the center of its strategy.

The details: - Shaden Resort says its sustainability work focuses on responsible consumption, resource conservation, pollution reduction and biodiversity protection. - The resort prioritizes fair trade and eco-certified suppliers under its sustainable purchasing policy. - The resort also prefers local suppliers to support regional businesses and reduce transport-related environmental impact. - Shaden Resort measures, monitors and records electricity, water and gas use. - For 2025, the resort set targets to cut energy use 5%, water use 7%, waste generation 5% and carbon dioxide emissions 5% from 2024 levels. - A Waste Management Plan prioritizes waste minimization before reuse, recycling and responsible disposal. - Staff and guests take part in training sessions, monthly gatherings and awareness initiatives on energy saving and environmental conservation. - The resort has added measures to reduce plastic use and applies a computer shutdown policy in back-of-house offices. - A Pollution Management Plan supports broader environmental controls across the property. - Biodiversity measures include removing single-use plastics outdoors, avoiding invasive plant species, using native drought-resistant landscaping, controlling light pollution and adding bird-collision prevention markings on glass.

Between the lines: - The certification frames sustainability as an operating standard rather than a side program, which is increasingly important for hospitality brands competing in heritage and nature-sensitive destinations. - The resort’s mix of environmental, cultural and community initiatives suggests a strategy aimed at aligning guest experience with local expectations and destination stewardship. - Green Globe’s recognition also gives the resort a marketable sustainability credential, but the specific value will depend on whether the 2025 targets are met.

What's next: - Shaden Resort says it will continue working toward its 2025 sustainability objectives and broader environmental and social programs. - The resort will keep using guest-facing signage, website content and social media to promote responsible travel and environmental awareness. - Community work will continue through donation initiatives, NGO partnerships and support for local entrepreneurs through on-property exhibitions and markets. - Cultural programming around Ramadan, Eid and Saudi National Day will remain part of the resort’s guest and staff experience.

The bottom line: - Shaden Resort is positioning sustainability, local culture and community engagement as core parts of its business model, not add-ons.