Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Expansion Plans Might Be Challenged by Climate Change

69

Saudi Arabia is pursuing grand designs to facilitate millions more visitors to Islam’s most sacred sites. However, the escalating temperatures from climate change in an already hot region could complicate the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which largely takes place in the desert.

The upsurge in pilgrim numbers and the consequent increase in international air travel and infrastructure development bring sustainability into question, even as the petroleum powerhouse strives to source 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030.

The country is preparing to conduct its first Hajj pilgrimage post-COVID-19 restrictions next week. The event attracted 2.5 million participants in 2019, and this year’s count is anticipated to be around 2 million.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comprehensive strategy, Vision 2030, aims to transform the nation’s economy, with an estimated 30 million pilgrims participating in the Hajj and Umrah. This figure is a significant leap of over 10 million compared to the pre-pandemic era.

Accommodating this increase will necessitate a substantial expansion of hospitality and other facilities in Mecca and Medina, ancient cities already dominated by skyscrapers and shopping centers. The additional pilgrims will necessitate more long-haul flights, vehicles, water, and electricity.

The Big Big News contacted various Saudi officials for comments but received no feedback. It remains uncertain whether the government has conducted any research into the environmental impact of the pilgrimage and whether this is considered in their plans. Even promising solutions, such as a high-speed railway network, fail to eliminate polluting traffic around the holy city.

The high-speed trains traverse the barren landscape at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), transporting pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca in air-conditioned comfort. But, they stop a few kilometers away from the Grand Mosque, leaving pilgrims with the option to walk for an hour or commute by bus or car to the holy site. The $19 one-way fare from Jeddah’s airport to Mecca could be unaffordable for lower-income pilgrims.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a requirement for all capable Muslims to undertake at least once in their lives. This pilgrimage, retracing Prophet Muhammad’s steps, is a profoundly spiritual experience that absolves sins, deepens faith, and unites Muslims worldwide.

The Saudi royal family’s legitimacy largely stems from its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites and its capacity to host one of the world’s largest annual religious congregations.

Studies have shown that the Hajj both contributes to and will be impacted by climate change, as temperatures rise in one of the hottest places on earth.

A 2018 study of the Hajj conducted by experts from Victoria University in Melbourne found that the five-day pilgrimage released over 1.8 million tons of greenhouse gases, equivalent to New York City’s biweekly emissions, with aviation contributing to 87% of these emissions.

Abdullah Abonomi, a Saudi researcher and co-author of the study, stated that Saudi authorities have included sustainability in Vision 2030, which prioritizes preserving natural resources to attract pilgrims, tourists, and businesses.

In the past, cars and buses filled with pilgrims were common, causing air pollution, but Grand Mosque expansion has led to larger courtyards and increased pedestrian traffic towards the holy site. However, human congestion and waste remain concerns.

Saudi Arabia’s Hajj expansion plans will have to deal with managing vast numbers of pilgrims in a rapidly heating climate.

Rising temperatures will necessitate innovative cooling measures or new strategies, such as limiting the number of pilgrims during hot years, according to a heat stress study.

Muslim activists have begun grassroots initiatives for a “green Hajj,” urging pilgrims to undertake the journey once, avoid single-use plastics, and balance carbon emissions by planting trees.

The Hajj “can be green and sustainable if smart policies and technology are used to reduce the ecological footprint,” says Odeh Jayyousi, a professor at the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain.

Using biodegradable plastics, reusable tents, and renewable energy could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, artificial intelligence could optimize logistics, streamline travel, and ensure maximum occupancy in planes and buses to prevent excessive idling.

“The young generation is aware of the need for changes in consumption patterns,” says Jayyousi. “The Hajj can showcase the best green practices to a global audience.”

---

Big Big News’ religious coverage benefits from AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is exclusively responsible for this content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hajj expansion and climate change