Saudi Arabia is making progress in its ambitious Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), which aims to plant 600 million trees by 2030. By early 2026, over 159 million trees had been planted, and 1 million hectares of degraded land had been restored. However, the challenge lies in achieving this goal without straining the Kingdom's limited water resources.
Experts like Thomas Crowther, a professor at KAUST, emphasize that success depends on more than just planting trees. Regeneration involves removing pressures like drought and overgrazing to allow nature to recover naturally. Alexandre Rosado, another KAUST professor, agrees, highlighting the importance of matching native species to suitable locations and ensuring soil health.
The initiative is using treated wastewater, rainwater harvesting, and efficient irrigation to minimize water use. The National Cloud Seeding Program has also increased rainfall, contributing to a 50 percent reduction in dust storms in 2025. Mangroves are another key focus, as they require little freshwater and provide multiple environmental benefits, including carbon storage and coastal protection.
Both Crowther and Rosado stress that the number of trees planted is not the only measure of success. Healthy vegetation that supports biodiversity and naturally regenerates is the true indicator of progress. The SGI's 2030 target of restoring 2.5 million hectares of land demonstrates that even the most challenging environments can be revitalized.