Abdulaziz Al-Jahmi

Saudi Arabian environmental pioneer who transformed desert landscapes through innovative afforestation projects

Abdulaziz Al-Jahmi (b. 1958) is a visionary environmental scientist from Saudi Arabia whose work in desert reclamation has fundamentally altered the Kingdom's ecological trajectory. In the 1980s, he pioneered the 'Green Saudi' initiative that successfully planted over 10 million trees across previously barren regions, creating ecological corridors that now support diverse wildlife populations. His National Afforestation Program introduced innovative irrigation techniques using treated wastewater, which reduced water consumption by 40% compared to traditional methods. Al-Jahmi's work laid the groundwork for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's modern Green Saudi Initiative, demonstrating how desert nations can combat climate change. His 1992 paper "Oasis Engineering in Arid Zones" remains a seminal text in arid land management, and his team's development of drought-resistant date palm hybrids has improved agricultural productivity across the Middle East. Al-Jahmi's legacy is visible in the Al-Wadi Al-Ahmar ecological reserve, a 200km² sanctuary that now hosts endangered Arabian oryx populations. His cross-border collaboration with UAE's Masdar Institute produced the first solar-powered irrigation systems now used in Yemen and Morocco. Al-Jahmi continues to advocate for transnational environmental agreements through his role at the Gulf Cooperation Council's Environmental Protection Agency.