The Al-Baha Green Initiative, led by the municipality of the Al-Baha region, has earned first place at the sixth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Municipal Work Award for its efforts in environmental sustainability. The program, which has generated over 25 million Saudi riyals (approximately $6.7 million) in economic returns, was recognized for its success in expanding vegetation cover, enhancing community involvement, improving the urban landscape, and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
The initiative has mobilized extensive partnerships across various sectors, involving local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members, with the goal of accelerating afforestation and improving quality of life in the region. To date, it has engaged more than 10,150 volunteers, who have collectively contributed 84,500 hours toward the project. Additionally, the initiative has established 151 partnership agreements and 70 memorandums of understanding, contributing to a 20 percent rise in its social impact index.
Since its inception, the program has planted over one million predominantly native trees, shrubs, and flowers in 143 public parks, as well as 52,000 trees along roads and walkways. These efforts have created more than 1.25 million square meters of green corridors, directly supporting the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
Environmental improvements attributed to the initiative include a 20 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, annual carbon dioxide sequestration of between 10,600 and 18,600 tonnes, and regional air quality improvements ranging from 7 to 10 percent, reaching up to 20 percent near densely planted green zones.
The Al-Baha municipality has also focused on sustainable resource management. It achieved water sustainability by meeting 75 percent of irrigation needs with treated water and reducing freshwater consumption by 40 percent through the deployment of smart irrigation networks. These automated systems are integrated with a centralized asset management platform and an environmental quality portal, enabling predictive maintenance and weather-responsive adjustments with 97 percent accuracy.
Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Al-Baha region, highlighted the award as evidence of the municipality’s commitment to innovative projects that enhance urban environments and support the broader objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative. He praised the collaborative efforts of the municipality, its staff, and partner organizations that contributed to the initiative’s success.
Al-Baha Mayor Ali Al-Sawat emphasized that the award reflects effective cooperation between public entities, civic groups, and the community. He confirmed the municipality’s ongoing dedication to sustainable projects aimed at improving residents’ quality of life, optimizing the use of resources, and aligning with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.