400,000 Digitally Monitored Mangroves to Be Planted on Rabigh Beaches

An initiative to plant 400,000 mangrove trees along the beaches of Rabigh has been launched, using digital monitoring systems to track growth and environmental impact. The project focuses on expanding vegetation cover along the Red Sea coast, strengthening natural ecosystems, and increasing carbon absorption as part of Saudi Arabia’s wider climate and sustainability efforts.

The initiative is being implemented through cooperation between the Makkah branches of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, alongside environmental consultancy Netzero. Digital monitoring tools will be used to measure planting outcomes, carbon capture and long-term ecological impact, positioning the project as a model for data-driven afforestation and transparency.

The programme builds on an earlier initiative launched in November, which targeted the planting of 175,000 mangrove trees using similar monitoring methods. That earlier phase was estimated to achieve carbon absorption of up to 21,000 tonnes over six years. Combined, the two efforts bring the total target to 400,000 digitally monitored mangrove trees along the Rabigh coastline.

The mangrove project aligns with the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to increase green cover, protect natural environments and support the Kingdom’s transition toward net-zero carbon emissions. Officials described the approach as an example of smart afforestation, integrating environmental restoration with measurable climate outcomes.