National Centre for Vegetation Cover & Combatting Desertification, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: National Greening Program of Saudi Arabia

Company: National Centre for Vegetation Cover & Combatting Desertification, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Company Description: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) was established in 2019 with the goal of increasing green areas to combat desertification and to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems. The NCVC has developed the National Greening Program (NGP) to deliver against the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
Nomination Category: Sustainability Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Sustainability Initiative of the Year - in the Middle East and Africa

Nomination Title: National Greening Program of Saudi Arabia

Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
A video of up to five (5) minutes
If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.

Here are links to our video submission:

https://we.tl/t-odw4RRse6C ;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ThrSWY5sAD7FLLPONUU-vKQZMBRxN-Oi/view?usp=drive_link ;

We have also attached it. We have supplied supporting text below for the video.
If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):

Total 146 words used.

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) was established in 2019 with the goal of increasing green areas to combat desertification and to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems.

In 2022, the NCVC commenced work to develop the National Greening Program (NGP) and Masterplan. Over 50 local and international experts were engaged to undertake scientific studies and to develop strategies that resulted in the National Greening Masterplan.

The aim of the National Greening Masterplan is to guide the implementation of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) target of growing 10 Billion trees and rehabilitating over 40 million hectares of degraded lands. The SGI forms part of Saudi Arabia’s commitments to the UNFCC Paris Agreement.

The Masterplan is funded and is under full implementation through the National Greening Program. Over 55 million trees have been planted to date across a broad variety of locations in Saudi Arabia.
If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):

Total 173 words used.

In January 2022 the NCVC commenced the development of the National Greening Masterplan for Saudi Arabia, to guide the nation's efforts to grow 10 billion new trees and restore 40 million hecatares of degraded land.

In tandem with development of the Masterplan, the organization deployed several largescale tree planting and land restoration projects. Over 55 million trees have been planted to date since 2022 in various locations around Saudi Arabia.

A 2024 report by the National Centre for Meteorology and the Regional Centre for Dust and Sandstorm Warning cited a remarkable 90% decrease in dust and sandstorms compared to the past 20 years. This can be attributable to land restoration efforts and increased rainfall.

Communities around Saudi Arabia are already benefitting from the restoration and afforestation efforts through improved wellbeing with access to new green spaces, particularly in the capital Riyadh where the streets are turning green, supported by the construction of the worlds largest treated water irrigation system and the newly constructed tree nursery which is the largest in the Middle East.
If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):

Total 217 words used.

Unprecedented Scale of Masterplanning: The NGP is one of the world's largest environmental restoration initiatives. The Masterplanning process undertaken with over 50 international and local experts was meticulous in its detail and scientific approach. It is rare that a country has such a dedicated effort to developing a plan that incorporates so many diverse ecosystems and designs a unique approach embedded in sustainability and science for each ecosystem. For example, the approach to urban areas focuses on creating health tree canopy cover to provide shade, reduce temperatures and remove air pollution, supported by irrigation from recycled water. Rangelands and natural parks have strategies designed to reduce grazing and protect land in order to support ecological succession and natural regeneration.

Addressing Arid Environments: The NGP tackles the unique challenges of land restoration in arid conditions, pushing the boundaries knowledge and practice internationally. This could serve as a model for similar initiatives worldwide.

Largescale deployment of sustainable water management: The NGP is at the forefront of technological innovation in sustainable water management soil enhancement. The deployment of recycled water through irrigation systems in Saudi cities to support urban trees will be unprecedented globally. Construction work is already underway, since 2023, in Riyadh to build the world’s largest water reuse network for urban horticulture to support 7.5 million trees.
You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):

Total 46 words used.

Attachments:

Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-QpdY3kEiA&;ab_channel=SaudiGreenInitiative

Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZM8SRy3LWE&;ab_channel=SaudiGreenInitiative

Video 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRxd96E7avM&;ab_channel=NCVCkSA

UN articles:

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/saudi-arabia-strives-regreen-deserts-tackle-drought-and-land-degradation

General media:

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/636593/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Arabia-unveils-road-map-for-10-billion-tree-target

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387971/business-economy

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2505711/saudi-arabia

https://english.aawsat.com/varieties/4795531-ncvc-plants-150000-trees-saiysad-national-park-taif

Attachments/Videos/Links:

National Greening Program of Saudi Arabia
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