Green Saudi Arabia: Climate action, plastic pollution, and academic initiatives

• SGI and MGI link climate goals with waste reduction and ecosystem restoration. • Microplastics found in Saudi air, soil, and marine ecosystem, highlights emerging environmental risks. • Universities drive monitoring, bioplastics innovation, and wastewater reuse solution. • Progress noted towards Vision 2030, but fossil fuel reliance and compliance is still a challenge. • Stronger enforcement, research policy integration and public engagement are essential. Present study examines the intersection of climate action plastic pollution, and sustainable innovation in Saudi Arabia, with a primary focus on Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and Middle East Green Initiative (MGI). It evaluates how national policies, and regional frameworks address the dual challenges of climate change and microplastic pollution, while identifying the enable role of academics’ research in supporting these agendas. We analyse the progress of SGI and MGI implementations, including afforestation, marine ecosystem restoration, expansion of recycling infrastructure, and waste to energy initiatives. Despite these efforts, gaps remain in enforcement capacity, public participation and integration of scientific data into policy making. The manuscript further highlights academic contributions, such as microplastic monitoring along the Red Sea Coast, innovations in biodegradable polymers, and advances in wastewater reuse, which collectively reinforce national sustainability strategies. Key findings show that Saudi Arabia has made visible progress towards Vision 2030 climate goals but faces persistent challenges due to high fossil fuel dependency, limited circular economy adoption, and weak regulatory compliance. Academic research has demonstrated measurable impacts through local data collection, technology development, and policy relevant recommendations, though broader institutional collaboration is still required. The manuscript concludes that achieving climate resilience and plastic pollution mitigation in Saudi Arabia requires enhanced monitoring systems, stronger legal frameworks, greater integration of university research into national strategies, and increased societal engagement. Together these measures will strengthen the Kingdom’s transition towards a sustainable, circular economy.