Green Riyadh Project: Saudi Arabia aims to safeguard its land and marine regions, improve afforestation and land reclamation operations, expedite the energy transition process and sustainability programmes, and strengthen environmental protection efforts through its green initiatives.
The Kingdom is stepping up its green efforts to create a more sustainable future and accomplish its long-term targets in carbon offset and reduction.
The Saudi Green Initiative seeks to:
- Planting 10 billion trees throughout Saudi Arabia.
- Rehabilitating 40 million hectares of land and restoring natural green spaces in the country.
- Restoring vital ecological functions.
- Enhancing the quality of the air and decreasing dust and sandstorms.
Green Riyadh Project
The Green Riyadh Project is among the world’s most ambitious afforestation efforts. In March 2019, King Salman bin Abdulaziz made the announcement and the Major Projects Committee is handling it, which Prince Mohammed bin Salman is in charge of.
The Green Riyadh initiative fits into the larger scheme of accomplishing Saudi Vision 2030’s objective of elevating Riyadh’s standing in comparison to other cities throughout the globe.
The Green Riyadh Project’s Targets
The goal of the Green Riyadh project is to elevate the capital of Saudi Arabia among the world’s 100 most livable cities while simultaneously enhancing public health, air quality, and green space accessibility for all citizens. The initiative seeks to:
- Planting neighbourhood gardens, mosques, schools, universities, and health care facilities along streets and roads.
- Planting 7.5 million trees across the city by 2030.
- Providing a healthier, happier and more sustainable life for the capital’s residents.
- Improving air quality, reducing energy consumption, and lowering temperatures.
- Improving the urban landscape of the city.
- Achieving profitable investment returns by 2030 by adding greater value to real estate.
- Utilising treated wastewater for irrigation.
- Contributing to improving the healthy lifestyle and thus preventing diseases, which is reflected in saving the cost of health care.
Types of trees planted in the Green Riyadh project
Large tracts of trees are planted as part of the Green Riyadh project, offering much-needed shade as well as decreasing city temperatures and improving air quality. These trees, which are chosen from nearby trees that suit the city’s climate, consist of:
Sidr Trees
One of the shade plants that fits well with Riyadh’s climate is the Sidr tree, which is native to the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and North Africa.
Al-Talh Al-Najdi
Among the plants resistant to drought is the Al-Talh Al-Najdi. It thrives in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It lives in valleys, stream channels, and depressions. Additionally, it helps to prevent desertification.
Gulf Ghaf
Growing quickly and adapting to its surroundings are two traits that define the Gulf Ghaf tree. In the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Desert is home to its growth.
Read more about Taif National Park: A Cultural and Natural Oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Heart
