Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in green innovation to transform and bloom its deserts, but critics accuse the kingdom of greenwashing, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its ambitious projects as true climate solutions. This week, Riyadh is hosting the United Nations COP16 conference on drought and desertification, which aligns closely with the country’s goals of restoring 40 million hectares of degraded land.
Although Saudi Arabia is a major backer of climate technology, it continues to defend its oil industry, leading some to argue that its environmental initiatives provide limited real-world benefits. According to a 2023 PwC report, Saudi Arabia accounts for nearly 75% of the Middle East’s climate tech investments worldwide. However, its spending is primarily focused on energy solutions, with $363 million dedicated to climate-friendly energy—nearly ten times more than the amount invested in agriculture and land-use innovations.
One promising project in the desert north of Jeddah involves using microorganisms to lower the energy costs of wastewater treatment. The treatment facility at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology aims to “purify and treat wastewater in an energy-neutral or even positive way,” according to environmental scientist Peiying Hong. The process uses microorganisms to convert carbon into methane gas, which is captured and used to power the facility. The treated water can be used to grow microalgae for livestock feed or irrigate plants to help combat desertification.
Recycling water in a country with limited water resources is a valuable solution. Through its Middle East Green Initiative, Saudi Arabia aims to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate over 74 million hectares of land. Achieving these goals requires effective water and soil management.
Himanshu Mishra, a professor at KAUST, has developed a method for turning desert sand into fertile soil by creating carbon-enriched compost from chicken manure. This compost helps retain water and nutrients, promoting plant growth. Mishra believes that Saudi Arabia could become a global exporter of both the product and the technology.
However, implementing these systems on a large scale requires both financial support and political commitment. Hong emphasized the need for venture funding to prove the effectiveness of such technologies. Yet, investor John Robinson noted that raising funds for these start-ups remains a major challenge.
Despite these green innovations, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to oil remains strong, as it continues to be the world’s largest crude exporter. The kingdom is also focusing on carbon capture and hydrogen production as part of its “circular carbon economy.” Critics, however, argue that these efforts are a form of greenwashing, designed to allow continued fossil fuel investments under the guise of sustainability. The European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights criticized the Saudi Green Initiative in May 2024, claiming it obscures the country’s ongoing reliance on fossil fuels and its disregard for environmental justice. Riyadh justifies its policies by citing the need for energy security.
