Integration of green technologies into regional ecological management: Evidence from Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

Rapid urban and industrial expansion in Riyadh Province has tightened the link between regional ecological management and the deployment of green technologies. This article examines how renewable energy, resource-efficient infrastructure and digital environmental monitoring are being integrated into provincial ecological management, and how these developments influence ecological pressure and environmental quality indicators. The analysis combines panel data on energy use, land cover and emissions for municipalities in Riyadh Province with remote sensing based indicators of vegetation and land surface temperature. A composite index of green technology integration is constructed and related to changes in ecological footprint, air quality and compliance with regional planning targets. Results indicate that municipalities with higher and more diversified green technology investment achieve faster reductions in ecological pressure and more frequent compliance with air quality standards, even after accounting for economic growth. The findings highlight enabling conditions and governance gaps that shape regional transitions towards environmental sustainability.