Saudi Arabia is implementing a number of initiatives to combat desertification. These include the "Green Saudi" initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees across the country, and the "National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification", which is working to develop drought-resistant plants and improve water management practices.
 

Saudi Arabia has activated 77 initiatives to help reach the three targets under the Saudi Green Initiative and achieve long-lasting positive change. In addition to planting 10 billion trees (covering 30 percent of total land area), the SGI aims to create vast protected zones, conserve marine life around the coasts and encourage alternative forms of agriculture. Under SGI, Saudi Arabia is delivering against its aspirations to create a greener future for all, and is putting action and investment behind the country's commitment to sustainable development.

In this context, Planetek Italia has been selected in collaboration with its Saudi partner, Geosystems Middle East (GeosystemsME), to provide monitoring services based on Earth Observation (EO) for afforestation initiatives in the Kingdom.

The project, led by GeosystemsME and supported by Planetek Italia, GeoSpace International and Hexagon AB, aims to contribute to the implementation of the ambitious Saudi Green Initiative. As part of this groundbreaking program, Saudi Arabia has set a target to plant 10 billion trees across the country, while also focusing on various land preservation actions falling under the mandate of the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC).

Planetek Italia will play a pivotal role in assisting GeosystemsME in developing a robust land monitoring platform capable of harnessing the power of satellite data. Leveraging a wide range of commercial and open-source Earth observation constellations, the platform will facilitate the automatic calculation of analytics and statistical indices. These insights will be instrumental in monitoring the correct implementation of the policies outlined in the Saudi Green Initiative.