KBD was commissioned to deliver a Critical Habitat Assessment (CHA) for a site exceeding 10,000 km² in northern Saudi Arabia, spanning both marine and terrestrial environments. Critical Habitats are areas of the highest biodiversity value and require particular attention when assessing development options and mitigation measures. To ensure a transparent, science-led process aligned to IFC Performance Standard 6 (PS6), KBD convened a team of 25+ local and international experts.
The assessment had to cover vast, diverse landscapes and seascapes while meeting IFC PS6 criteria—so that future planning and mitigation would be defensible to regulators and lenders. The core challenge: transform scattered information on species and ecosystems into a clear, consensus-based view of what qualifies as Critical Habitat.
KBD organized Expert Working Groups (EWGs) reflecting the major species groups present across the study area. Through a series of facilitated workshops, the EWGs evaluated an initial list of 1,300+ species and ecosystems, testing each against IFC PS6 thresholds and evidence.
Independent expertise: 25+ specialists (local and international) led a transparent, peer-style review process.
Criteria-based screening: Nearly 200 species and multiple ecosystems were identified as meeting IFC PS6 Critical Habitat criteria and thresholds.
Stakeholder validation: Findings were discussed with relevant stakeholders and agreed.
Actionable mapping: Every identified feature was mapped in a GIS portal—multi-layered, easy to interrogate, and ready for planners and project teams.
The CHA provides a single source of truth on Critical Habitat across the project’s marine and terrestrial footprint—evidence that can be used immediately in planning, permitting, and mitigation design.
Clarity at scale: A lender-grade picture of Critical Habitat across >10,000 km², grounded in expert consensus.
Defensible decisions: Features meeting IFC PS6 are explicitly documented and mapped, reducing ambiguity during approvals.
Better mitigation, earlier: The GIS portal pinpoints where to avoid, where to minimise, and how to prioritise management effort.
Shared understanding: A common evidence base for developers, regulators, and conservation partners.
A transparent, expert-led CHA aligned to IFC PS6 turns biodiversity data into clear maps and rules of engagement—lowering project risk and protecting what matters most.
Criteria and thresholds applied consistently, with a documented audit trail.
Risk ReductionEarly clarity on no-go/priority areas prevents costly redesign later.
Living Evidence BaseA GIS portal that teams can interrogate and update as planning evolves.
With a multidisciplinary team of over 150 professionals KBD combines local talent with global experts under one roof. Our mission is to drive transformative change and help achieve the nation’s Vision 2030 by providing strategic, science-backed solutions.
