Experts tell Al-Youm: Environmental initiatives are driving the green transformation... Rapid achievements on the anniversary of the Crown Prince's pledge of allegiance

As we commemorate the anniversary of the pledge of allegiance to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the spotlight is once again on the Kingdom's environmental transformation. This transformation follows the launch of a series of impactful initiatives that have placed the environment and sustainability at the heart of national development, most notably the Saudi Green and the Green Middle East Initiative.
These initiatives reflect a strategic approach that links economic growth with the protection of natural resources in the face of increasing climate challenges. The Kingdom seeks to reduce carbon emissions, increase vegetation cover, and restore ecological balance within an ambitious vision for a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Since launching the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom has set broad environmental goals that include planting billions of trees, rehabilitating degraded lands, protecting ecosystems, and promoting sustainability in various development sectors.

The Middle East Green Initiative seeks to expand these efforts regionally through collaboration with countries in the region, thereby strengthening joint climate action and reducing carbon emissions. This has been reflected in extensive afforestation and vegetation restoration programs across various regions, contributing to improved air quality, reduced desertification, and enhanced biodiversity.

The Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Makkah region, Engineer Walid bin Ibrahim Al-Daghis, affirmed that the Kingdom’s strategies in the fields of environment, agriculture and water reflect an integrated vision aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and achieving water and food security.

Walid bin Ibrahim Al-Daghis

He explained that the environmental and agricultural achievements during the past years came with direct support from the leadership, and contributed to strengthening the Kingdom’s position internationally in the field of sustainability, noting that the next stage requires continued cooperation between government agencies and society to achieve the desired goals.

Dr. Ahmed Samman, Deputy Director of the Center of Excellence for Environmental Studies, pointed out that environmental initiatives have established a new phase of organized action. He noted that afforestation programs have contributed to planting millions of trees and native plants, which helps restore ecological balance and mitigate the effects of desertification.
He added that through these initiatives, the Kingdom has been able to launch programs to rehabilitate degraded lands and increase green spaces, thus enhancing the environment's resilience to climate change. He emphasized that the approach adopted combines environmental and developmental solutions to achieve a sustainable balance between development and environmental protection.

Environmental expert Dr. Sami Mohammed Al-Buraieh praised the environmental transformations taking place in the Kingdom, stressing that the Kingdom has become a regional leader in leading environmental work, as it has moved from the traditional approach to addressing challenges to innovation in managing natural resources.

Sami Mohammed Al-Buraieh

He pointed out that the two main initiatives represent a roadmap for confronting climate change and desertification, and enhance food security by raising the efficiency of water use, rehabilitating lands and pastures, and increasing vegetation cover to reduce carbon emissions.

Dr. Zahra Al-Saffar affirmed that the anniversary of the pledge of allegiance represents a national milestone for recalling the journey of transformation, where sustainability has become a firmly established approach that balances economic growth, human well-being, and environmental protection.

Zahraa Al-Saffar

She explained that the Kingdom presents a leading regional and international model through its active participation in global environmental initiatives and agreements, emphasizing that universities, particularly King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), play a pivotal role in integrating sustainability into education and scientific research, developing technologies to reduce emissions, promoting clean energy, and protecting ecosystems.
She added that the integration of the national vision, institutional support, and the research role of universities enhances the Kingdom's ability to achieve sustainable development that preserves natural resources, supports societal well-being, and solidifies its position as a global model for a more balanced and prosperous future for both humanity and the environment.