Saudi Arabia is taking big steps to protect the environment, save water, and improve food security. These efforts are part of the country’s Vision 2030, a long-term plan to make the Kingdom more sustainable and self-sufficient.
Green Goals: Protecting Nature and Fighting Climate Change
Saudi Arabia is serious about protecting the environment through its Saudi Green Initiative. Here’s what they’ve achieved so far:
- Planted 151 million trees and fixed 500,000 hectares of damaged land. By 2030, the goal is to plant 215 million trees and restore 2.5 million hectares of land — with an ultimate target of 10 billion trees!
Government Press Conference | Saudi Arabia has been paying close attention to its water sources, expanding on its efforts to protect this life-essential element. pic.twitter.com/LwPQ2S23Df
— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) July 30, 2025
- National Parks and Protected Areas have increased from just 18 to over 500 parks. Now, 18% of the land is protected, and marine protected areas have grown by 260% since 2016.
- Wildlife is being saved: Over 8,000 endangered animals have been returned to their natural homes.
- Strict environmental rules: More than 40,000 permits have been given out, and over 173,000 inspections have taken place.
- New technologies like cloud seeding (to make it rain) and special centers for climate and dust storm research have been launched.
Saving Water: A Leader in Desalination and Water Reuse
Water is scarce in Saudi Arabia, but the country is using technology to solve the problem:
- World’s top desalinated water producer: Now making 16.6 million cubic meters per day of fresh water, mostly from the sea.
- More water storage: Storage capacity has grown by 600% to better manage water supply.
- Big pipeline network: 18,000 km of pipelines deliver water to over 22,000 towns and villages, even in high places.
- Rainwater harvesting: The Kingdom will build 1,000 dams to collect rain, store it, and recharge underground water. These dams will collect 4 million cubic meters of water every year.
- Global recognition: Saudi Arabia has been praised by the UN Water Conference for its smart water policies.
Food Security: Growing More, Importing Less
Saudi Arabia is also improving food production to depend less on imports:
- Agricultural success: The agriculture sector grew by 8% last year and now produces 12 million tons of food — a 39% increase in just three years.
- Self-sufficiency: The Kingdom produces 100% of its dates, milk, and eggs, and 70–100% of its vegetables and poultry.
- Top exporter: Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest exporter of dates and is growing in the seafood export market too.
- Wheat security: A government company, SALIC, helps import wheat from other countries and now provides 30% of Saudi Arabia’s wheat.
Saudi Arabia is:
- Building 1,000 rain-harvesting dams
- Becoming a global leader in water and food sustainability
- Planting millions of trees and protecting wildlife
- Making big changes for a greener and healthier future
These steps are part of the Kingdom’s bold Vision 2030 to lead the world in environmental and sustainable development.
