Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) is promoting tree planting as a frontline defense against rising summer heat.
- The Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) is tracking progress toward a regional goal of 35.4 billion trees and the rehabilitation of 99.4 million hectares of degraded land.
- Officials say urban trees lower surface temperatures, clean the air, and each mature tree can absorb roughly 150 kg of carbon dioxide per year.
- The MGI’s 20th executive committee meeting took place by videoconference, led by Secretary-General Ibrahim Alturki.
- MGI was founded in March 2021 under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with a wider regional ambition of planting 50 billion trees, restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land, and cutting hydrocarbon-related emissions by more than 60%.
Why Saudi Arabia Is Betting on Trees to Beat the Heat
As temperatures climb across the Gulf, Saudi authorities are turning to a low-tech but high-impact solution: trees. MEWA says vegetation cover does more than beautify neighborhoods — it actively cools cities by shading pavements and buildings that would otherwise trap heat, while releasing water vapor through transpiration that lowers the surrounding air temperature.
The ministry frames this as more than an environmental nicety. Denser tree cover in urban areas is linked to cleaner air, more livable public parks, and spaces that encourage residents to spend time outdoors and stay active — all of which support the human-centered goals baked into Saudi Vision 2030.
What the Middle East Green Initiative Is Tracking
The push comes as the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) — the Saudi-led regional coalition tackling desertification, heat, and air pollution — held its 20th executive committee session online. Member states used the meeting to check progress against commitments made at MGI’s second ministerial council, which Saudi Arabia hosted in Jeddah in late January 2026.
MGI Secretary-General Ibrahim Alturki briefed the committee on the first half of 2026, covering:
- Capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programs across member states
- Deeper partnerships with regional bodies and international development-finance institutions
- Groundwork for expanding operations in the second half of the year
- A rollout plan for MGI’s official website and social media presence
- Candidate nominations for a Scientific Advisory Committee that will guide vegetation-cover strategy
- A review of internal governance policies spanning communications, transparency, stakeholder engagement, and administrative efficiency
- A five-year roadmap to be presented at the next ministerial council
The Numbers Behind the Initiative
| Metric | Regional MGI Target |
|---|---|
| Trees to be planted | 50 billion |
| Degraded land to be restored | 200 million hectares |
| Emissions cut from hydrocarbon production | 60%+ |
| Progress currently under review | 35.4 billion trees / 99.4 million hectares |
| Carbon absorbed per tree annually | ~150 kg CO₂ |
MGI was launched in March 2021, with founding members agreeing on a formal governance structure in October 2022, including a dedicated secretariat based in Riyadh.
Practical Guidance From the Ministry
MEWA is encouraging residents and planners to prioritize native tree species that are naturally suited to Saudi Arabia’s climate and need less irrigation — a move meant to conserve water while keeping planting projects sustainable long-term. The ministry also called for consistent agricultural care to help young trees survive the harshest summer months.
The Bigger Picture
Afforestation is one pillar of a broader Saudi and regional strategy to build climate resilience, and it dovetails with other national programs — including efforts to identify hundreds of native plant species suited for large-scale afforestation in regions like Asir, and pilot projects testing sustainable cultivation methods in arid terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)? MGI is a Saudi-led regional alliance launched in March 2021 to fight desertification, rising temperatures, and air pollution through cross-border cooperation, knowledge transfer, and large-scale environmental restoration projects across the Middle East.
How many trees does the MGI aim to plant? The initiative’s regional target is 50 billion trees, with 35.4 billion currently under review as part of ongoing progress tracking.
How much land does MGI want to restore? The goal is to rehabilitate 200 million hectares of degraded land region-wide, with 99.4 million hectares currently being assessed.
Who leads the Middle East Green Initiative? The initiative was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Ibrahim Alturki serving as Secretary-General of its secretariat, headquartered in Riyadh.
How does afforestation help lower temperatures? Trees provide shade that reduces heat absorbed by roads and buildings, and they release water vapor through transpiration, which cools the surrounding air and improves local air quality.
This article summarizes and analyzes publicly reported developments regarding Saudi Arabia’s environmental policy and the Middle East Green Initiative. Facts referenced are drawn from Saudi Press Agency reporting via Arab News, July 2026.
