Courtesy of Riyadh Green Oasis
Saudi Green Initiative Day is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a nation mobilises action, investment, and innovation for the environment. Since its launch in 2021, SGI has accelerated progress through over 85 initiatives—from large-scale afforestation and land restoration to carbon reduction and ocean protection. Its ambitious goals—growing 10 billion trees, cutting emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030, and protecting 30% of land and sea—reflect the urgency of building a liveable, sustainable future for all.
Courtesy of Saudi Green Initiative
Observed every March, SGI Day marks both the anniversary of the initiative and a public call to renew environmental responsibility. It invites citizens, residents, institutions, and industries to reflect on climate progress and actively contribute to long-term ecological resilience. Backed by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s long-term reform plan, SGI aligns environmental goals with economic transformation—demonstrating how sustainability and innovation can work hand in hand.
At Impact One, we believe in this future too. We see nature not as a backdrop to our cities, but as a critical infrastructure—one that restores ecosystems, improves health outcomes, and drives long-term economic value.
Turning cities into thriving ecosystems isn’t just about planting trees. It’s about understanding the real benefits they bring. Trees are climate regulators. They clean the air, store carbon, reduce urban heat, and prevent flooding. In dense urban areas, surface temperatures in and around tree-covered parks can be 7–10°C cooler, with effects extending up to 1 km beyond park boundaries . In arid cities, annual carbon sequestration by urban trees varies, but studies show an average of 10–15 kg of CO₂ per tree, depending on species and conditions.
These figures highlight the importance of integrating nature at scale—not as a decorative afterthought, but as a strategic tool for resilience. Urban green spaces reduce the urban heat island effect, contribute to energy savings by decreasing the demand for air conditioning, and boost physical and mental health outcomes for communities. Beyond environmental impact, green infrastructure contributes to economic opportunity—through job creation in green sectors and increased property values in areas with accessible green spaces.
Courtesy of Soudah
To fully unlock these benefits, we must track them—measuring carbon storage, pollution reduction, flood mitigation, and the physical and mental health of communities. When cities make nature measurable, they make it investable.
Today, as regions across the world step up with nature-based solutions, the Saudi Green Initiative stands out for the scale of its ambition and the clarity of its targets. It exemplifies how national strategies can drive systemic change—uniting environmental protection, green economy investment, and community engagement under a single vision. SGI Day is a reminder that impactful climate action is not only possible—it’s already happening.
Nature-Based Solutions at Scale: SGI Day
On the occasion of the Saudi Green Initiative Day
Saudi Green Initiative Day highlights large-scale environmental action—10 billion trees, 278 million tonnes of emissions reduced annually, and 30% of land and sea protected by 2030.