Latest news with #SaudiGreenInitiative
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia marks UN's World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has marked the UN's World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, an awareness event held annually on June 17. The day aims to spotlight the urgent need to address the growing challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said the event emphasized the importance of land restoration as a driver of opportunity, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It helps to raise awareness of the critical role healthy ecosystems play in creating jobs, enhancing food and water security and strengthening economic resilience, the ministry added. It also highlighted Saudi Arabia's diverse geography and climate which is home to a unique biodiversity adapted to a range of climatic conditions. The Kingdom has launched several major environmental initiatives, most notably the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees over the coming decades. The Kingdom is currently implementing 86 initiatives and programs with total investments exceeding SR705 billion ($188 billion), covering all aspects of the green economy. These initiatives align with the core objectives of the SGI: reducing carbon emissions, expanding national afforestation, and protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems. More than 313,000 hectares of degraded land across the Kingdom have now been restored, and 115 million trees planted. MEWA has also launched the Environmental Awareness Initiative, which is designed to raise environmental literacy and support Sustainable Development Goals. The plan also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and cross-sector collaboration — from public institutions to private and non-profit entities. As part of its efforts to monitor marine habitats, the ministry has conducted extensive field surveys along the Red Sea coast, covering over 600 coral reef sites, 200 seagrass locations and 100 mangrove areas. According to UN data, desertification, land degradation and drought remain among the most pressing environmental challenges today, impacting up to 40 percent of the Earth's land surface. As the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) reaches its midpoint, there is a critical need to accelerate restoration efforts on a global scale. If current trends continue, the world will need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, creating a restoration economy valued at over $1 trillion. The planet is currently losing healthy land at a rate equivalent to four football fields per second.
CairoScene
4 days ago
- Science
- CairoScene
University Initiative Collects 15 Tonnes of Waste During Hajj Season
The effort was part of King Abdulaziz University's 'Green Spots' initiative. King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, through its KAU Endowment and the Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, has collected 15 tonnes of waste during this year's Hajj season as part of its 'Green Spots' initiative, which promotes sustainability and environmental awareness among pilgrims and the wider community. The collected waste was sorted and recycled, helping maintain cleaner public spaces and reinforcing the Kingdom's broader environmental and health objectives. This initiative is one of several efforts across Saudi Arabia to support the country's Vision 2030 goals. The university itself has implemented additional sustainability programmes, including on-campus recycling stations and green building practices. On a national level, Saudi Arabia has launched initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, both aimed at increasing vegetation cover, reducing carbon emissions, and protecting natural ecosystems across the region.
Arab News
4 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Greening initiative sees 31m trees planted in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province
RIYADH: More than 31 million trees have been planted in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province as part of a nationwide afforestation project, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The trees were planted by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, working with 51 other entities, under a program launched in November. The authorities aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in the province by 2100, rehabilitating more than 7.9 million hectares of land. The scheme is part of the nationwide Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees — 600 million by 2030 — and rehabilitate more than 40 million hectares of land. As well as planting trees, the center has been engaged in a program of environmental monitoring, combating illegal logging and raising public awareness across the Eastern Province. It also works to prevent sand encroachment in farming areas that are at risk of soil degradation and uses native plant species to populate its afforestation areas in order to maintain the ecological balance of local habitats. The center also organizes the National Afforestation Season in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Leaders
5 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Morooj Highlights Saudi Green Initiative Projects at GreenTech Amsterdam
The Vegetation Cover Development Foundation (Morooj) has taken part in GreenTech Amsterdam in the Netherlands under the Saudi Green Initiative, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Morooj showcased various important initiatives, such as: Planting millions of mangrove trees Afforesting mosque courtyards Engaging communities in environmental sanitation campaigns Rehabilitating nature reserves across the Kingdom's regions As one of the most prominent international exhibitions for environmental innovations and sustainable agricultural technologies, GreenTech provided Morooj with a valuable platform to highlight its technical expertise and capabilities. Moreover, the foundation seized the opportunity and displayed its innovative environmental solutions that perfectly align with international best practices and standards. Morooj also highlighted its strategic partnerships and deals with government entities, private sector stakeholders, as well as international organizations. In the light of this, the foundation said that the exhibition offered an invaluable opportunity to build new partnerships and exchange expertise on the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration. The event also supported Morooj's objective of being an interactive platform for knowledge and application and leaving a real environmental and societal impact within the Kingdom. Related Topics: King Salman Royal Reserve Signs MoU with Morooj Saudi Arabia to Mark Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27 KSA Reveals Saudi Green Initiative Agenda Short link : Post Views: 18 Related Stories
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Acacia rebirth: Saudi royal reserve boosts green cover
RIYADH: Nestled in the northeast of Riyadh, the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve is an environmental gem, boasting a mix of nature's finest features and an array of awe-inspiring terrains. As well as being a haven for distinctive geological formations, it also contains rare plants and animals featured on the Red List of Threatened Species. The reserve is undertaking extensive restoration efforts, planting hundreds of thousands of trees, particularly Acacia, across its vast 91,500 sq. km area. This initiative aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to revitalize the reserve's vegetation and restore ecological balance, a Saudi Press Agency report said. Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. They provide grazing, shade and habitat for wildlife while also helping to stabilize the soil and offering a vital nectar source for high-quality honey. These comprehensive afforestation projects are crucial in combating desertification and enhancing biodiversity, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability. • Acacia trees are crucial to this effort due to their resilience in harsh desert climates and their significant ecological role. • This eco haven is the Kingdom's second-largest royal reserve. The reserve's development authority focuses on increasing community awareness, supporting biodiversity protection and fostering a sustainable environment for wildlife reproduction and conservation. The authority also provides guided tours and excursions led by environmental tour guides, making it a hotspot for eco-enthusiasts interested in hiking, climbing and other ecotourism activities. This eco haven is the Kingdom's second-largest royal reserve. It hosts diverse wildlife and plant species, making it ideal for hiking, wilderness adventures, camping and sustainable hunting. Its vegetation cover provides a refuge for various bird species, crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling insects, small rodents and carrion. The reserve stands out with its streams and valleys, where rainwater and floods flow from the Al-Urumah Plateau into the reserve's valleys, such as Al-Thumama Valley and Ghilana Valley, leading to streams and parks such as Rawdat Khuraim.
