A leading climate scientist advising Saudi Arabia’s ambitious mega-project, Neom, has raised significant concerns that the construction of the futuristic city could have far-reaching impacts on local weather patterns. Donald Wuebbles, an expert in atmospheric physics and chemistry, has warned that the sprawling development, which spans 170 kilometers and includes plans for a linear city, ski resorts, and islands, could alter wind currents, rain patterns, and even amplify the intensity of desert storms.
Wuebbles, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Illinois and a contributing author to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, has repeatedly brought up the issue with Neom’s sustainability advisory committee. The committee recently reported that this environmental concern had escalated to a higher priority, especially following the abrupt departure of Neom’s previous chief executive, Nadhmi al-Nasr. The project’s review under acting CEO Aiman al-Mudaifer includes scaling back or delaying Neom’s development due to mounting environmental concerns and broader economic challenges.
In an interview with Financial Times, Wuebbles highlighted that the vast scale of Neom’s projects, including a city featuring skyscrapers up to 500 meters tall encased in mirrored glass, could significantly alter the surrounding air currents and cloud formations. The construction could lead to higher local temperatures, intensifying storms and disrupting the already fragile desert environment. He explained that such changes to local weather and climate have not been adequately studied, posing a risk to both the project’s success and the environment.
The ambitious plan for Neom, which is projected to cost over $500 billion, also faces challenges beyond the immediate weather-related concerns. There are reports of slow progress in transitioning to more sustainable construction practices, including the continued use of cement and fossil fuel-powered machinery. The impact of emissions from these sources remains a key area of concern, particularly as Neom aims to position itself as a sustainable, cutting-edge urban development.
Neom’s environmental team, however, maintains that sustainability is a core priority. The company has committed to reducing the environmental impact of its construction methods compared to traditional urban projects, including efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of building materials.
Despite these challenges, Wuebbles remains cautiously optimistic about Neom’s long-term goals. He acknowledged the technological innovation within the project and expressed hope that it could one day serve as a model for sustainable urban development. “It’s like a moonshot—nothing like this has been attempted before, and there is so much to be learned,” he said.
Neom’s advisory board also includes several high-profile figures, such as Usha Rao-Monari, a senior adviser to the Blackstone Infrastructure Group. The future of the advisory committee itself, however, is now under review as part of a broader reassessment of the project’s scope and timeline.
As Saudi Arabia confronts the global economic slowdown, with lower oil prices and reduced foreign investment, it remains to be seen how these environmental concerns will affect the project’s trajectory. According to Financial Times, Neom’s construction schedule has already been slowed by six to twelve months as the company works to address these complex challenges.
The stakes are high for Neom, a cornerstone of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the kingdom’s economy. Whether the project can achieve its ambitious goals while minimizing its environmental impact will likely be one of the most critical questions moving forward.
