Article 2 of the Saudi Environment Law
المادة 2 من نظام البيئة · الفصل الأول: أحكام عامة
The article states the aims of the Environment Law: protecting, developing and sustaining the environment, complying with environmental principles, and regulating the environment sector and its activities and services.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يهدف النظام إلى حماية البيئة وتنميتها واستدامتها، والالتزام بالمبادئ البيئية، وتنظيم قطاع البيئة والأنشطة والخدمات المتعلقة به.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 2 explained in plain English
This article sets the purposes for which the Environment Law was made, which are four:
- Protecting the environment from everything that harms it.
- Developing and sustaining it so that it remains fit for future generations.
- Complying with environmental principles, which under Article 1 are principles recognized in international organizations and the agreements related to the environment, aiming to protect it.
- Regulating the environment sector and its related activities and services. The environment sector, as Article 1 defines it, includes the environmental media and the activities and programs related to them.
This article imposes no direct obligation on any particular person, but it is practically important because it helps in understanding and interpreting the Law's other provisions. An example of its application is Article 3, which bars carrying out environmental activities or activities with an environmental impact except after obtaining a permit or license as the regulations determine.
Through the definition of "person" in Article 1, the Law covers individuals and public and private legal entities, so its aims address everyone: citizens, residents, companies and government bodies.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 2 of the Saudi Environment Law
What are the aims of the Saudi Environment Law?
Protecting, developing and sustaining the environment, complying with environmental principles, and regulating the environment sector and its related activities and services.
What are environmental principles?
Under Article 1, they are principles recognized in international organizations and the agreements related to the environment, aiming to protect the environment.
Does Article 2 impose an obligation on individuals?
The article states the Law's aims and does not provide a specific obligation; obligations come in other articles such as Article 3.
More articles on Environmental Permits and Licenses
- Article 1
The article defines the terms used in the Environment Law, such as the competent authority, permit, license, environmental impact, wild organisms and vegetation cover lands.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق غير ذلك: النظام: نظام البيئة. اللوائح: اللوائح التنفيذ
- Article 3
The article bars anyone from carrying out environmental activities or activities with an environmental impact except after obtaining a permit or license, as the regulations determine.
لا يجوز لأي شخص ممارسة أي من الأنشطة البيئية أو التي لها أثر بيئي؛ إلا بعد الحصول على تصريح أو ترخيص؛ وذلك وفقاً لما تحدده اللوائح.
- Article 4
The article requires every permit holder and license holder to comply with the Law, the regulations, the conditions of the permit or license, and the related instructions and decisions of the competent authority.
على كل من المصرح له والمرخص له؛ الالتزام بأحكام النظام، واللوائح، وشروط التصريح أو الترخيص، والتعليمات والقرارات -ذات العلاقة- التي تصدرها الجهة المختصة.
- Article 5
The article tasks the competent authority with setting the controls for carrying out voluntary programs, plans and initiatives related to the environment.
تضع الجهة المختصة ضوابط تنفيذ البرامج والخطط والمبادرات التطوعية المتعلقة بالبيئة.
- Article 47
The Article lists the matters that the regulations determine, including environmental protection requirements, permits and licenses and their fees, noise pollution, environmental assessment studies and the basis for calculating compensation.
تُحدد اللوائح ما يأتي: 1- الضوابط والإجراءات المتعلقة بتطبيق المبادئ البيئية. 2- الاشتراطات والضوابط والإجراءات والمقاييس والمعايير اللازمة لحماية الأوساط البيئ
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.