Green tech boosts land restoration efforts in the Gulf

“In hyper-arid areas, scaling up innovation and greening technologies is no longer optional – it is essential,” says Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. Little, who adds that these tools are critical for combating desertification, rehabilitating degraded land, and safeguarding long-term food and water resilience.

Importantly, they also offer significant socio-economic benefits, from revitalising rural livelihoods and creating green jobs, to strengthening climate adaptation capabilities.

The study outlines five key technologies with transformative potential: artificial intelligence systems for precision land stewardship; Internet of Things (IoT) sensors providing real-time environmental monitoring; biochar for restoring soil health; decentralised composting for nutrient recycling; and the targeted use of genetic engineering, where culturally and socially appropriate.

These solutions stand out not only for their ecological potential but also for their suitability to the specific conditions of the region — including high temperatures, scarce water supplies, and delicate soil ecosystems. They were assessed using Arthur D. Little’s proprietary foresight framework, which connects emerging global research with regional practicalities.

“Achieving real progress requires not only identifying promising technologies but prioritising those that are practical, grounded in robust scientific evidence, and tailored to the region’s extreme conditions,” Bou Harb adds. “We look at technologies that can scale quickly in areas where time is running short, and where the stakes are highest.”

Momentum is growing across the GCC, with national reforestation campaigns and ecological restoration goals gaining visibility. Saudi Arabia’s pledge to plant 10 billion trees and its leadership of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) — which aims to rehabilitate 200 million hectares — are catalysing innovation and experimentation.

Other nations, including the UAE and Qatar, are implementing pilot projects that could serve as blueprints for wider regional adoption.

“Innovation flourishes through collaboration — among entrepreneurs, scientists, policymakers, investors, and local communities,” notes Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. Little.

He adds that this collective effort is nurturing green technologies that can take root in the Middle East and support a sustainable legacy for future generations.

Tangible results are beginning to emerge: AI-enabled irrigation systems are improving water efficiency by up to 50 percent; biochar is reducing dependence on conventional water sources; composting is boosting agricultural yields in nutrient-depleted soils; and smart sensor networks are enhancing restoration outcomes through predictive analytics.

To accelerate progress, the report advocates for immediate action in four strategic areas: aligning investment and policy across the GCC and neighbouring states through platforms like the MGI; expanding regional research and development ecosystems to tailor global technologies to local needs; establishing centres for knowledge exchange and skills development; and mobilising blended finance approaches to unlock scaling through public-private partnerships.

“With climate pressures intensifying, the region must transition from small-scale pilots to large-scale implementation,” Moreno stresses. “This report offers a practical roadmap for decision-makers committed to reversing land degradation and fostering long-term resilience.”

Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid environments is no longer a distant goal — it is an urgent environmental, economic, and geopolitical necessity. The call to action is clear: the time to scale solutions is now.

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