Latest news with #NationalEnvironmentStrategy
Gulf Insider
02-08-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia To Build Over 1,000 Rainwater Dams In Major Sustainability Push
Saudi Arabia will construct more than 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams across the country as part of a landmark national drive to ensure water sustainability and strengthen environmental resilience, the Kingdom's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced. Described as one of the most ambitious undertakings in the Kingdom's environmental transformation, the initiative aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Speaking at a press briefing in Riyadh, Minister Abdulrahman Al Fadley outlined the Kingdom's accelerating progress under the National Environment Strategy. The wide-reaching agenda is transforming policy, regulation, infrastructure, and investment across the environmental and water sectors. The planned dams are expected to harvest a combined annual capacity of four million cubic metres of rainwater. The collected water will support groundwater recharge, agriculture, and the restoration of natural ecosystems. The announcement coincided with an update on the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land. To date, more than 151 million trees have been planted, and over 500,000 hectares of land have been restored. The number of national parks has soared from 18 to over 500. Protected terrestrial areas now span 18 per cent of Saudi Arabia's territory, while marine protected zones have expanded by 260 per cent since 2016. Additionally, more than 8,000 endangered species have been successfully reintroduced to their native habitats. Saudi Arabia has also introduced robust regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, meteorology, and waste management — two of which are being implemented for the first time in the country's history. Five specialised environmental centres have been established, alongside the launch of the region's largest environmental fund to finance green projects and encourage private-sector involvement. Al Fadley highlighted a sharp rise in enforcement and compliance activities: Over 173,000 environmental inspections conducted 456 licences issued to environmental service providers More than 40,000 permits granted — a 660 per cent increase since the establishment of the National Center for Environmental Compliance Air quality is now monitored nationwide, supported by 240 active stations and expanded meteorological coverage using advanced forecasting systems. Saudi Arabia's strides in water sustainability have drawn global recognition. The Kingdom has doubled its water production since 2016 to 16.6 million cubic metres per day — 75 per cent of which is desalinated seawater — making it the world's largest producer of desalinated water. Strategic water storage capacity has surged by 600 per cent, and daily delivery now reaches more than 22,000 population centres, including mountain communities located up to 3,000 metres above sea level. The volume of reused water has risen from 251 million to 550 million cubic metres, now comprising 32 per cent of total water use. Energy consumption in the water sector has been reduced by 50 per cent, thanks to efficiency programmes led by the National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation. Saudi Arabia's water policies have earned it international recognition, with the United Nations Water Conference naming the Kingdom a global model for sustainable water management under Sustainable Development Goal 6. Completed water projects now exceed SR230 billion in value, including SR10 billion in public infrastructure and more than SR45 billion through private-sector partnerships. The Kingdom is also placing increased emphasis on food security. Agricultural GDP has reached SR118 billion — an 8 per cent rise from last year and a 39 per cent increase since 2020. Domestic food production now stands at 12 million tonnes, with Saudi Arabia achieving full self-sufficiency in dates, milk, and eggs, along with high sufficiency rates in vegetables and poultry. The Kingdom also remains the world's leading exporter of dates.
Gulf Insider
31-07-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia To Build 1,000 Rainwater Harvesting Dams With 4 Million m³ Annual Capacity
Saudi Arabia has made major strides in environmental conservation, water sustainability, and food security as part of its Vision 2030 goals, according to Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Al-Fadley highlighted the implementation progress of the National Environment Strategy, including the establishment of five specialized environmental centers and the region's largest environmental fund to support green initiatives. The Kingdom has introduced new regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, meteorology, and waste management, two of which are being implemented for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Under the Saudi Green Initiative, over 500,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated and 151 million trees planted. The target is to restore 2.5 million hectares and plant over 215 million trees by 2030. Ultimately, the Kingdom aims to plant 10 billion trees across 40 million hectares. The number of national parks has surged from 18 to 500, while protected terrestrial areas now cover 18% of the Kingdom's territory, a fourfold increase. Marine protected areas have grown by 260% since 2016. Over 8,000 endangered species have been reintroduced into their natural habitats. In enforcement, more than 40,000 environmental permits have been issued, a 660% increase since the creation of the National Center for Environmental Compliance. More than 173,000 inspections were carried out, and 456 licenses were granted to environmental service providers. Air quality monitoring has also expanded, with 240 stations operating across the Kingdom. The ministry launched a national marine monitoring program and bolstered its capacity to respond to oil spills. Meteorological services now cover 100% of Saudi Arabia, aided by advanced sensing and prediction systems. The cloud-seeding program, led by skilled Saudi pilots using cutting-edge aircraft, has conducted over 711 sorties, increasing rainfall by 6.4 million cubic meters to support water resources and vegetation. The Kingdom also launched two pioneering centers, the Regional Center for Climate Change Studies, the first of its kind in the Middle East, and the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, one of only four worldwide. Saudi Arabia has developed 21 strategic city-level waste management plans and identified more than 330 investment opportunities worth SR450 billion. The goal is to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. A suite of incentives, grants, and a new environmental fund has been launched to support private sector innovation and academic partnerships. Al-Fadley announced that the UN Water Conference has named Saudi Arabia a global model for sustainable water practices, with significant progress under Sustainable Development Goal 6. Completed water projects now exceed SR230 billion in value, including SR10 billion in public infrastructure and over SR45 billion through private sector collaboration. The developments cover water production, transport pipelines, storage facilities, and wastewater treatment. Since 2016, water production has doubled to 16.6 million cubic meters per day — 75% of which is desalinated seawater — making the Kingdom the world's top producer of desalinated water. Strategic water storage capacity has increased by 600%, with the average supply coverage rising from one to three days in most cities. Efforts to reduce energy use have halved electricity consumption in the sector compared to 2016. The Kingdom now delivers water to more than 22,000 population centers, reaching elevations up to 3,000 meters through an 18,000-kilometer pipeline network. Reused water volume has risen from 251 million to 550 million cubic meters, now representing 32% of total usage. Saudi Arabia is building 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams with an annual capacity of 4 million cubic meters. With over 65% local content in the water sector and 97% of engineering roles held by Saudi nationals, the Kingdom is increasingly self-reliant. The National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation has saved 120,000 cubic meters daily and aims to reach 300,000 soon. Agricultural GDP reached SR118 billion, up 8% from last year and 39% from 2020. Food production rose to 12 million tons due to supportive policies and Saudi Agricultural Development Fund initiatives. The Kingdom has achieved full self-sufficiency in dates, milk, and eggs, and between 70%–100% in various vegetables and over 70% in poultry. Exports of fish and shrimp have expanded, along with global competitiveness in select agricultural sectors. Saudi Arabia remains the world's top date exporter. The General Food Security Authority ensures the availability of 11 key staples, with an early warning system for essential goods to be launched soon. Al-Fadley also praised the role of the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), which supplies 30% of the Kingdom's wheat imports through overseas projects.
Arab News
31-07-2025
- General
- Arab News
Over 151m trees planted under Saudi Green Initiative
RIYADH: More than 151 million trees have been planted and 500,000 hectares of land rehabilitated under the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion in total, the Kingdom's environment minister said on Wednesday. The Kingdom has made significant progress under the National Environment Strategy, en-route to achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals in conservation, water sustainability and food security, said Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadley. During a press briefing, Al-Fadley also announced the establishment of five specialized environmental centers, including the Middle East's first Regional Center for Climate Change Studies and the world's fourth Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms. 'The Kingdom has (also) established an environmental fund that is the largest of its kind in the region, reflecting a serious commitment to supporting environmental initiatives,' the minister added. Protected terrestrial areas went from covering 4.5 percent of the Kingdom's territory to 18.1 percent, and the number of national parks has increased from 18 to 500. Since the establishment of the National Center for Environmental Compliance in 2020, more than 40,000 permits have been issued, an increase of 660 percent. Over 8,000 endangered species have been reintroduced into their natural marine habitats since 2016 as protected zones have grown by 260 percent. Monitoring services have expanded in all sectors across the Kingdom. There are now 240 air-quality monitoring stations, a new marine program to detect and respond to oil spills, and advanced meteorological sensing and prediction systems. 'We conducted 711 cloud‑seeding flights across regions and increased strategic (water) storage capacity by 600 percent,' increasing rainfall by 6.4 million cubic meters to encourage vegetation and nourish water resources, he said. New developments have been made in city-level waste management as well, with 21 strategic management plans, and the identification of 330 investment opportunities worth SR450 billion ($119.9 billion). A number of grants, incentives and environmental funds have been created to support academic collaboration and private sector innovation on mechanisms to divert 90 percent of waste from landfills by 2040. Al-Fadley also confirmed that water projects worth over SR230 billion have been completed, which includes public and private sector investments for infrastructure and reuse systems. 'Saudi Arabia was chosen by the UN Water Committee as a global model for water sustainability,' he said. The minister announced that the Kingdom was building 1,000 rainwater-harvesting dams with an annual capacity of 4 million cubic meters. The Kingdom is the world's top producer of desalinated water with production capacity reaching 16.6 million cubic meters per day in late 2024, an increase of nearly 100 percent compared to 2016. And strategic water storage capacity has jumped to 600 percent, with most cities having an average supply coverage of three days rather than one. In addition to being a large producer, Saudi Arabia also delivers water to 22,000 population centers through an 18,000-km pipeline network. Reused water now makes up 32 percent of total usage. The National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation saves 120,000 cubic meters of water daily, with plans to increase it to 300,000, the minister added. Over 65 percent of those working in the water sector are citizens, and Saudi Arabia engineers make up 97 percent of engineering roles, marking an emphasis on self-reliance. The minister said 25 public–private partnership agreements were signed involving SR100 billion in investments. Energy reduction is also a big focus for the country. Since 2016, the amount of electricity consumed has been cut by half. The agricultural sector now makes up SR118 billion of the nation's gross domestic product, an 8 percent increase from the previous year, and food production increased to 12 million tonnes. Al-Fadley said a major economic and cultural achievement was that the Kingdom was now the world's top date exporter, completely self-sufficient in date production and distribution, as well as in milk and eggs. For key vegetables self-sufficiency was between 70 to 100 percent, and poultry and seafood exports were growing, he added.
Saudi Gazette
30-07-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia to build 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams with 4 million m³ annual capacity
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has made major strides in environmental conservation, water sustainability, and food security as part of its Vision 2030 goals, according to Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Al-Fadley highlighted the implementation progress of the National Environment Strategy, including the establishment of five specialized environmental centers and the region's largest environmental fund to support green initiatives. The Kingdom has introduced new regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, meteorology, and waste management, two of which are being implemented for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Under the Saudi Green Initiative, over 500,000 hectares of degraded land have been rehabilitated and 151 million trees planted. The target is to restore 2.5 million hectares and plant over 215 million trees by 2030. Ultimately, the Kingdom aims to plant 10 billion trees across 40 million hectares. The number of national parks has surged from 18 to 500, while protected terrestrial areas now cover 18% of the Kingdom's territory, a fourfold increase. Marine protected areas have grown by 260% since 2016. Over 8,000 endangered species have been reintroduced into their natural habitats. In enforcement, more than 40,000 environmental permits have been issued, a 660% increase since the creation of the National Center for Environmental Compliance. More than 173,000 inspections were carried out, and 456 licenses were granted to environmental service providers. Air quality monitoring has also expanded, with 240 stations operating across the Kingdom. The ministry launched a national marine monitoring program and bolstered its capacity to respond to oil spills. Meteorological services now cover 100% of Saudi Arabia, aided by advanced sensing and prediction systems. The cloud-seeding program, led by skilled Saudi pilots using cutting-edge aircraft, has conducted over 711 sorties, increasing rainfall by 6.4 million cubic meters to support water resources and vegetation. The Kingdom also launched two pioneering centers, the Regional Center for Climate Change Studies, the first of its kind in the Middle East, and the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, one of only four worldwide. Saudi Arabia has developed 21 strategic city-level waste management plans and identified more than 330 investment opportunities worth SR450 billion. The goal is to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. A suite of incentives, grants, and a new environmental fund has been launched to support private sector innovation and academic partnerships. Al-Fadley announced that the UN Water Conference has named Saudi Arabia a global model for sustainable water practices, with significant progress under Sustainable Development Goal 6. Completed water projects now exceed SR230 billion in value, including SR10 billion in public infrastructure and over SR45 billion through private sector collaboration. The developments cover water production, transport pipelines, storage facilities, and wastewater treatment. Since 2016, water production has doubled to 16.6 million cubic meters per day — 75% of which is desalinated seawater — making the Kingdom the world's top producer of desalinated water. Strategic water storage capacity has increased by 600%, with the average supply coverage rising from one to three days in most cities. Efforts to reduce energy use have halved electricity consumption in the sector compared to 2016. The Kingdom now delivers water to more than 22,000 population centers, reaching elevations up to 3,000 meters through an 18,000-kilometer pipeline network. Reused water volume has risen from 251 million to 550 million cubic meters, now representing 32% of total usage. Saudi Arabia is building 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams with an annual capacity of 4 million cubic meters. With over 65% local content in the water sector and 97% of engineering roles held by Saudi nationals, the Kingdom is increasingly self-reliant. The National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation has saved 120,000 cubic meters daily and aims to reach 300,000 soon. Agricultural GDP reached SR118 billion, up 8% from last year and 39% from 2020. Food production rose to 12 million tons due to supportive policies and Saudi Agricultural Development Fund initiatives. The Kingdom has achieved full self-sufficiency in dates, milk, and eggs, and between 70%–100% in various vegetables and over 70% in poultry. Exports of fish and shrimp have expanded, along with global competitiveness in select agricultural sectors. Saudi Arabia remains the world's top date exporter. The General Food Security Authority ensures the availability of 11 key staples, with an early warning system for essential goods to be launched soon. Al-Fadley also praised the role of the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC), which supplies 30% of the Kingdom's wheat imports through overseas projects.
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Environmental Week highlights Saudi Arabia's sustainability vision
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched Saudi Environment Week on Sunday, themed 'Our Environment is a Treasure,' to showcase the Kingdom's efforts in ecosystem protection and sustainable development. A highlight was the debut of the National Environmental Performance Index, a strategic tool to monitor environmental progress and guide policy. The event, inaugurated by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli in Riyadh, brings together government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and local communities to promote eco-friendly practices and collective responsibility. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir also attended, with the event featuring environmental presentations, agreement signings, and children's performances to encourage positive environmental behavior. Activities include nationwide exhibitions, workshops on biodiversity and renewable energy, and forums for green innovations. The new index, which Al-Fadhli described as essential for informed decision-making, will track environmental metrics like air quality, water conservation, and biodiversity. It aims to align national development with ecological priorities, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable growth. Al-Fadhli stressed the Kingdom's leadership in sustainability, prioritizing natural resource protection and societal responsibility. He said that the index ensures accountability and progress as the country builds a greener future. Al-Fadhli toured the exhibition, featuring sections on vegetation cover, desertification control, biodiversity, waste management, meteorology, and environmental compliance. The exhibition also includes workshops highlighting Saudi Arabia's role in fostering environmental cooperation, raising awareness, encouraging private sector investments in sustainable projects, and advancing technology. The ministry emphasized that the newly introduced index serves as a nationwide monitoring tool, developed in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme. It is designed to align with government bodies, environmental organizations, and national centers, ensuring cohesion with Saudi Arabia's ecological priorities. Key goals include evaluating environmental health, identifying change drivers, and establishing an early detection system for sustainability challenges and progress. By tracking progress toward environmental targets, the ministry noted that the index identifies gaps for urgent action, enabling data-driven policy adjustments. Phase 1 focuses on five core areas linked to the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030: wildlife conservation, green space expansion, waste management efficiency, pollution levels in air, soil, and water, and weather forecasting accuracy. Phase 2 will address emerging priorities, such as climate change metrics, reflecting their importance in long-term environmental planning. The ministry stressed that the index will provide policymakers with actionable insights, driving improvements in ecological resilience, public health, and quality of life for Saudi citizens. The National Fisheries Development Center has joined the celebrations of Saudi Environment Week. Riyadh Al-Fageeh, director general of the center, said: 'Our participation highlights the importance of preserving the environment, raising awareness, and strengthening quality of life goals. We aim to emphasize the role of institutions and individuals in maintaining ecological balance, aligned with Vision 2030.' He added: 'Saudi Environment Week reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to protecting natural resources and leading regional efforts in sustainability. We encourage all citizens and residents to actively participate and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.'
