Riyadh, December 7, 2024 – On the second day of the Saudi Green Initiative Talks, a pivotal session emphasized the critical role of coastal and marine ecosystems, particularly mangrove forests, in addressing climate change and supporting biodiversity. The session, titled "Harnessing Blue Carbon: Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in Carbon Sequestration," featured Dr. Nathalie Hilmi, Section Head of Environmental Economics at the Monaco Scientific Center and Lead Author at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), along with Rana Al-Yemeni, a project manager at the Saudi Green Initiative.
Dr. Hilmi highlighted the extraordinary carbon sequestration potential of coastal and marine ecosystems, particularly mangrove forests, which are capable of absorbing up to ten times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. This makes mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems vital in the global fight against climate change. Dr. Hilmi also underscored the broader benefits that these ecosystems provide, including coastal protection from storm surges, water purification, and enhanced biodiversity conservation. She described blue carbon as a “holistic approach” to valuing and protecting these vital ecosystems, emphasizing that their economic and environmental benefits must be recognized to drive meaningful conservation efforts.
Further reinforcing the significance of this topic, Dr. Hilmi spoke about her collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to assess the carbon sequestration capacity of Saudi Arabia’s mangrove forests. This collaboration aims to provide crucial data that will inform the Kingdom’s conservation strategies and strengthen its position in global climate change mitigation efforts.
The session also spotlighted the Saudi Green Initiative’s ambitious goal of protecting 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030. This goal reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and showcases the progress the Kingdom has made in recent years. Notable achievements include the protection of 6,700 square kilometers of Red Sea coastline and the planting of over 37 million mangrove trees. These efforts form part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to address climate change, preserve biodiversity, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources.
The Saudi Green Initiative Talks serve as a critical platform for discussing urgent environmental issues and showcasing the Kingdom’s leadership in sustainability. As the event progresses, tomorrow’s session will focus on wildlife conservation and the Kingdom’s efforts to repopulate its nature reserves. Through these ongoing discussions, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global leader in environmental stewardship, working toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
The ongoing dialogue at the Saudi Green Initiative Talks emphasizes the importance of international collaboration, scientific research, and innovative conservation practices in achieving long-term environmental sustainability. By prioritizing ecosystems like mangrove forests and pursuing ambitious conservation goals, Saudi Arabia is not only advancing its Vision 2030 objectives but also contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and protect the planet's natural heritage.
