Riyadh, December 1, 2024 – Saudi Arabia is embarking on a monumental project to plant 10 billion trees over the coming decades, with an immediate goal of 600 million by 2030. This initiative aims to combat soil degradation and rehabilitate 40 million hectares of arid land, equivalent to 400,000 square kilometers.
The project is part of the Saudi government's response to climate change, as the country faces the prospect of extreme heat, with temperatures potentially exceeding 50 °C for half of the year by 2100. The ambitious tree planting program has been described by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the largest of its kind globally.
The ongoing COP16 conference on desertification in Riyadh highlights this initiative, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability. Experts suggest that while natural soil regeneration is preferable, the benefits of the tree planting project could be significant if executed properly.
Saudi Arabia has established the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Desertification Control to oversee this effort. In the past three years, 95 million trees and shrubs have reportedly been planted across the kingdom, although concerns remain about their survival rates.
To optimize water use for irrigation in the arid regions, Saudi Arabia claims to utilize primarily recycled water and has also engaged in cloud seeding to induce rainfall. However, details on the financial investments in this initiative remain unclear.