Unlocking Nature’s Potential: How Climate Innovation Boosts Nature-Based Solutions

Saudi Arabia is on a mission to plant 10 billion trees and revive 40 million hectares of land through the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI). But simply planting trees isn’t enough; it’s all about how they’re planted, maintained, and monitored.

Innovative climate technologies, especially those using artificial intelligence, can make a big difference. For instance, tools like satellite-based remote sensing and carbon quantification platforms can help track the success of these nature-based solutions in real-time. This way, the Kingdom can show real progress in climate adaptation efforts.

Nature-based solutions, such as afforestation and wetland restoration, could offer up to 37% of the carbon reduction needed by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement goals. However, Saudi Arabia faces unique challenges. The country has extreme heat, saline soils, and water scarcity, which means careful planning is essential to ensure these projects succeed in harsh conditions.

Advanced technologies like Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) can map vegetation and soil in detail. When paired with AI, they can identify the best locations for restoration, monitor plant survival, and measure carbon absorption quickly. For instance, Kenya’s Regreening Africa initiative uses drone imagery and AI to track large-scale restoration projects, significantly improving outcomes.

In Peru, satellite monitoring helps prevent illegal deforestation in the Amazon. These global examples show that Saudi Arabia can adopt similar strategies effectively. Financially, the benefits are compelling. According to research from 2022, the social cost of carbon can be as high as $185 per ton of CO2 emitted. Conversely, restoring mangroves may cost only $4.50 to $18 per ton, offering extra benefits like protecting coastlines and enhancing biodiversity.

With around one-third of the Saudi population living by the coast, restoring mangroves serves dual purposes—mitigation and adaptation. Applying smart technologies can also avoid mistakes often made in restoration, like choosing the wrong species for certain areas.

Saudi policymakers can use frameworks like dynamic adaptive policy pathways to adjust plans based on real-time feedback and potential risks. A collective approach involving local communities and scientists is crucial. When communities are engaged, projects gain financial stability and become more resilient.

However, adaptation financing remains a challenge. The Adaptation Gap Report 2024 estimates that global financing needs will rise to between $231 and $416 billion annually, underscoring the urgent need for effective climate strategies.

To fully harness its potential, Saudi Arabia should focus on three key steps:

• Start an open-access geospatial dashboard to monitor progress on nature-based solutions.
• Engage more with global initiatives like the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration for knowledge sharing and climate finance access.
• Create a tech innovation hub in partnership with local universities to pilot suitable restoration solutions.

As Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud said, “The future is not something that comes at us; it’s something we create.” Her words capture the essence of SGI—not just as a plan but as a robust movement toward real, measurable action.

Since launching SGI, Saudi Arabia has made impressive strides. By 2024, over 115 million trees have been planted, and 118,000 hectares of degraded land have been restored. This shows that ambitious climate commitments can translate into noticeable progress.

However, technology alone isn’t enough. Experts like Robert Klee from Yale remind us that while tech empowers nature-based solutions, it’s people—especially those at risk from climate change—who must steer these initiatives. Real progress combines science with justice and local knowledge.

For Saudi Arabia, embedding local leadership in restoration projects can enhance their validity and impact across diverse landscapes. By merging nature with innovative tech, the Kingdom can turn its drylands into examples of climate resilience.

The SGI isn’t just a greening effort; with the right use of smart climate technologies, it aims to become a global leader in combining ambition, science, innovative tools, and community support for lasting environmental change.

— Adnan Masoudy is a corporate sustainability expert, and Hassan Alzain is an author focused on environmental issues.

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