Safeguarding biodiversity in a warming world
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As global temperatures continue to rise, the resulting biodiversity loss has become one of the most urgent and underappreciated climate challenges. Yet within this crisis lies a tremendous opportunity for nations to lead with innovation, foresight, and inclusivity. Ƶ, through its Vision 2030 reforms, is uniquely positioned to offer a regional model for protecting nature while advancing climate resilience and sustainable development.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded globally, with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reporting an average surface temperature of 15.10 degrees Celsius — approximately 1.52 C above pre-industrial levels and 0.12 C warmer than 2023. This marks the first time global temperatures have exceeded the 1.5 C threshold for an entire calendar year, signaling an alarming acceleration in warming trends.
Climate-induced warming is now one of the top five drivers of biodiversity loss, exacerbating other pressures such as land degradation and pollution. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that even small increases in global temperature can push entire ecosystems past tipping points, with desert, coastal, and coral reef ecosystems particularly vulnerable. The fact that each of the past two years set new records underscores the urgency of systemic climate action.
In Ƶ, biodiversity loss linked to climate change is increasingly visible. Marine heatwaves in the Red Sea have triggered extensive coral bleaching, affecting reefs that support more than 5,000 species, including fish, corals, invertebrates, marine mammals, seabirds, and mollusks, and contribute billions to the coastal economy.
On land, extreme heat and reduced rainfall are accelerating desertification and shrinking the range of numerous native species such as the Arabian leopard, Asir magpie, and acacia trees. A recent study found that many Middle Eastern mammals may lose over 40 percent of their viable habitat by 2050 under high-emissions scenarios.
Ƶ is taking a proactive approach to environmental challenges. Through the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom has placed nature-based solutions and climate adaptation at the heart of its national strategy. Since 2021, over 115 million native trees have been planted, more than 118,000 hectares have undergone ecological rehabilitation, and 18.1 percent of land has been designated for protection, with a goal to reach 30 percent by 2030.
The role of science and technology in scaling these efforts is expanding rapidly. Ƶ is integrating advanced tools such as LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, and artificial intelligence-enabled species distribution models to identify climate-resilient restoration zones and track progress in real time. These tools allow conservation authorities to prioritize interventions where ecosystems can be most effectively protected or rehabilitated.
At the heart of Ƶ’s environmental transformation is a growing conviction that protecting nature is essential to securing the nation’s future.
Adnan Masoudy & Hassan Alzain
Local institutions such as the National Center for Wildlife and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve have spearheaded the reintroduction of endangered species, including the Arabian oryx and houbara bustard, supported by climate-informed ecological planning.
In parallel, marine biodiversity is being enhanced through coastal restoration, such as the regeneration of mangroves and seagrass beds, which not only store carbon but also buffer storm surges and enhance fisheries. These efforts are widely recognized as integral to Ƶ’s broader coastal resilience strategies.
At the heart of Ƶ’s environmental transformation is a growing conviction that protecting nature is essential to securing the nation’s future. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, captures this emerging sense of purpose.
“Our vision for the future is clear: a Ƶ where wildlife thrives, habitats are restored, and the natural balance is maintained for the benefit of all,” he said recently. “NCW’s dedication to protecting Ƶ’s natural legacy remains unwavering. We are confident that, with continued effort and collaboration, we can build a future where the natural world is preserved for generations to come.”
This vision underscores the critical link between biodiversity stewardship and climate resilience — and affirms that conservation is not a peripheral effort, but a national imperative and a central pillar of the Kingdom’s long-term sustainable development, environmental security, and economic resilience.
Moreover, experts in the region echo the importance of strategic integration. As Chris Boland, director of the Arabian Biodiversity Consultancy, notes: “Climate change isn’t just reshaping ecosystems — it’s rewriting the rules of conservation. Ƶ has a unique opportunity to unite traditional ecological wisdom with cutting-edge science to protect its species and landscapes. This is not only about conserving biodiversity, but about future-proofing the Kingdom’s natural heritage in a rapidly warming world. It’s now or never.”
His insight underscores the need for adaptive, forward-thinking strategies that address the complexities of conservation under uncertainty.
Ƶ’s ambitions are further strengthened by linking biodiversity with economic development. The Dasgupta Review emphasized that biodiversity must be treated as an asset, not an externality, in national accounts. In this spirit, the Kingdom is exploring biodiversity credits, conservation-linked bonds, and blended finance to attract private investment into restoration. These market mechanisms, coupled with sovereign green bonds, can align conservation goals with Vision 2030’s broader diversification agenda.
Adaptation frameworks are equally essential. Dynamic adaptive policy pathways and robust decision-making offer decision-makers the tools to navigate uncertainty, evaluate trade-offs, and update strategies as conditions evolve. These approaches, already used in water and urban planning, can be applied to biodiversity governance, helping Ƶ optimize restoration under climate variability.
Ƶ, through its Vision 2030 reforms, is uniquely positioned to offer a regional model for protecting nature while advancing climate resilience and sustainable development.
Adnan Masoudy & Hassan Alzain
Public engagement is another critical pillar. Burgeoning community-led initiatives are improving rangeland management and enhancing traditional conservation practices. Incorporating indigenous knowledge into policy design ensures that local needs and ecological wisdom are respected, while increasing legitimacy and social buy-in.
Three strategic steps can help position Ƶ as a global leader in biodiversity protection by aligning conservation efforts with scientific best practices, international collaboration, and inclusive public engagement.
First, develop a national biodiversity and climate resilience dashboard that integrates remote sensing, AI, and open-access tools to inform policymakers and the public.
Second, scale partnerships with international initiatives such as the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Global Mangrove Alliance, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to access knowledge, finance, and innovation.
Third, expand environmental literacy by embedding biodiversity education into national curricula and encouraging sensitive eco-tourism that fosters appreciation for native ecosystems.
The benefits of these actions are both local and global. For example, a recent study published in Nature Sustainability estimates that effective ecosystem restoration in arid environments can increase water retention by up to 25 percent and reduce heat stress in nearby communities by as much as 4 C. Another study in Global Change Biology found that restoring mangroves can deliver co-benefits for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and fisheries yield within just five years.
Ƶ’s climate and environmental strategy reflects a growing international consensus: Protecting biodiversity is not only essential for ecological stability but also contributes directly to long-term sustainable development. Investing in biodiversity safeguards vital ecosystem services — such as clean water, fertile soils, pollination, and climate regulation — that underpin food security, health, and economic growth.
As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized during the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, environmental stewardship is a foundation for intergenerational prosperity and global cooperation.
Ultimately, climate action and biodiversity protection are two sides of the same coin. This linkage has been central to international frameworks such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The outcomes of the recent UN Biodiversity Conference, which led to the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to conserve 30 percent of land and oceans by 2030, and UNFCCC COP29, which emphasized nature-based solutions and ecosystem resilience in adaptation planning, underscore the need for countries to adopt integrated strategies that address both crises simultaneously.
Ƶ’s contributions to and alignment with these global goals demonstrate a strong commitment to the evolving agenda. While its progress remains comparable to many nations, its scale of ambition, particularly through the Saudi Green Initiative and ecological restoration pledges, places it in an increasingly influential position within international environmental discourse.
• Adnan Masoudy is manager of corporate sustainability, environment, and biodiversity at Ma’aden.
• Hassan Alzain is author of the award-winning book “Green Gambit.”
