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The ambitious plan to construct 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams was announced at the Saudi Arabia Government Press Conference, aiming to boost water availability by 2030/ Image: SPA
Saudi Arabia, under the ambitious framework of Vision 2030, is making remarkable progress in environmental conservation, water sustainability, and food security. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, recently highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts during the Government Press Conference, shedding light on the implementation of various strategies and achievements. These efforts not only support the Kingdom’s long-term goals but also reinforce its leadership in sustainable practices in the region.
A Green Revolution: Environmental Sustainability at the Forefront
One of the key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is environmental preservation, and the Kingdom has made impressive strides in this area. Under the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to combat climate change, restore ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity, several ambitious projects are already underway.
- Land Rehabilitation and Tree Planting: Over 500,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated, and an impressive 151 million trees have been planted. The goal is to restore 2.5 million hectares and plant 215 million trees by 2030. The Kingdom ultimately aims to plant 10 billion trees across 40 million hectares, positioning itself as a global leader in reforestation efforts.
- Protected Areas and National Parks: In a major push for biodiversity, the number of national parks in Saudi Arabia has grown dramatically from 18 to 500. In tandem, the Kingdom has increased the size of protected terrestrial areas, which now cover 18% of its territory, a fourfold increase. Marine protected areas have grown by a staggering 260% since 2016.
- Wildlife Conservation: Saudi Arabia is home to more than 8,000 endangered species, which have been successfully reintroduced into their natural habitats as part of the Kingdom’s broader conservation efforts. This work highlights the country’s commitment to preserving its rich and diverse ecosystems for future generations.
- Environmental Regulations and Enforcement: The Kingdom has introduced new regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, meteorology, and waste management. In a significant development, more than 40,000 environmental permits have been issued, marking a 660% increase since the establishment of the
National Center for Environmental Compliance . Additionally, over 173,000 environmental inspections were carried out in the past few years. - Innovative Programs: Saudi Arabia has launched cutting-edge initiatives like the cloud-seeding program, which has completed over 711 sorties to increase rainfall and bolster water resources. In addition, the Kingdom has established the
Regional Center for Climate Change Studies , the first of its kind in theMiddle East , and the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, one of only four globally.
Water Sustainability: A Global Leader in Desalination and Conservation
Water scarcity has been a critical challenge for Saudi Arabia, but the Kingdom has made significant strides in addressing this issue through innovative projects and technologies.
- Desalination and Water Production: Saudi Arabia is now the world’s largest producer of desalinated water. Since 2016, water production has doubled to 16.6 million cubic meters per day, with 75% of this being desalinated seawater. This ensures the availability of fresh water across the Kingdom, including remote areas and arid regions.
- Water Storage and Distribution: Strategic water storage capacity has seen a 600% increase, enabling the Kingdom to manage and distribute water more effectively. In addition, Saudi Arabia has built an extensive 18,000-kilometer pipeline network that delivers water to over 22,000 population centers, reaching elevations as high as 3,000 meters.
- Water Reuse: The Kingdom plans to build 1,000
rainwater harvesting dams with a combined annual capacity of 4 million cubic meters. These structures will capture seasonal rainfall, enhance groundwater recharge, reduce runoff, and support water availability in arid regions, a key step in achieving long-term water sustainability. - Rainwater Harvesting Dams: The Kingdom plans to build 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams with a combined annual capacity of 4 million cubic meters. These structures will capture seasonal rainfall, enhance groundwater recharge, reduce runoff, and support water availability in arid regions, a key step in achieving long-term water sustainability.
- Sustainability Achievements: The Kingdom’s efforts in the water sector have been recognized globally. During the
UN Water Conference , Saudi Arabia was hailed as a global model for sustainable water practices. Completed water projects now exceed SR230 billion in value, with SR10 billion allocated to public infrastructure and over SR45 billion from private sector collaboration.
Food Security: Boosting Agricultural Production and Self-Sufficiency
In the realm of food security, Saudi Arabia has successfully enhanced its agricultural output, contributing to national self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imports.
- Growth in Agricultural GDP: Agricultural GDP has increased by 8% in the past year, reaching SR118 billion. In just three years, food production has surged by 39%, reaching a total of 12 million tons. The Kingdom’s agricultural policies, alongside initiatives by the
Saudi Agricultural Development Fund , have played a key role in this growth. - Self-Sufficiency in
Key Foods : Saudi Arabia has achieved full self-sufficiency in several key food products, including dates, milk, and eggs. The Kingdom has also reached impressive levels of self-sufficiency in vegetables (ranging from 70%–100%) and poultry (over 70%). This decrease in reliance on imports not only supports local agriculture but also strengthens the Kingdom’s food security. - Global Competitiveness: Saudi Arabia remains the world’s leading exporter of dates, and exports of fish and shrimp have also expanded. The Kingdom has made notable strides in global competitiveness in various agricultural sectors, ensuring that its food industry continues to grow and diversify.
- Role of the Saudi Agricultural and
Livestock Investment Company (SALIC): Al-Fadley also praised the efforts of SALIC, a key player in securing the Kingdom’s wheat imports. Through overseas projects, SALIC supplies 30% of the Kingdom’s wheat imports, reinforcing food security and the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural supply chains.
