Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global to plant 50 million mangroves by 2030

 

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global to plant 50 million mangroves by 2030  

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global (RSG) has embarked on an ambitious project to establish a mangrove nursery and plant 50 million trees by 2030, aligning with Saudi Arabia's vision to promote sustainability and biodiversity. The initiative, situated along the Saudi west coast, complements the Kingdom's Saudi Green Initiative—a comprehensive, long-term plan to combat climate change, conserve and rejuvenate the Red Sea coast, and enhance carbon absorption, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

John Pagano, CEO of RSG, highlighted the significance of mangrove forests as nature's "super ecosystems," capable of carbon storage, flood management, shoreline stabilization, and providing essential shelter for marine life. The Mangrove Nursery will play a vital role in bolstering mangrove numbers and boosting biodiversity, aligning with RSG's ambitious environmental goals.

Mangrove trees possess exceptional carbon-absorbing capabilities, absorbing up to 5-10 times more carbon than other plant species. Their presence in an ecosystem significantly contributes to environmental stability and carbon sequestration.

The project's overarching objective, as stated by Raed Albasseet, RSG's Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer, is to achieve a 30 percent net conservation benefit across the region by 2040. This net conservation benefit ensures that the project's positive environmental impacts outweigh any potential drawbacks in the long run.

Established in 2018 under the guidance of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of Vision 2030, RSG is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom's sustainability efforts and creating diverse economic opportunities for its people.

Creating the mangrove nursery represents just one of RSG's numerous initiatives geared toward conserving crucial habitats vital to biodiversity. Past projects encompass planting native Doum Palm Trees and establishing floating coral nurseries to expand the region's coral reefs. Furthermore, the planned mangrove parks will soon be open to visitors, offering an opportunity for people to experience these vital ecosystems up close.

Source: Alarabiya News