by: TN Media RIYADH: As land degradation and desertification increasingly threaten food security and water availability in hyper-arid regions, a new report by global consultancy Arthur D. Little spotlights five key scalable technologies as critical tools in combating these growing environmental challenges, especially in the GCC.
The study emphasizes that AI-powered precision land management, IoT-based environmental sensors, biochar for soil restoration, localized composting, and selective genetic engineering can transform degraded landscapes in harsh climates. These technologies, tailored to the Gulf’s extreme heat, limited water resources, and fragile soils, promise not only ecological impact but also socio-economic benefits such as job creation and climate adaptation.
Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. Little, stressed that innovation is now essential, not optional. “Greening technologies must be scaled urgently to restore ecosystems and ensure food and water resilience in hyper-arid regions,” she said.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, with its 10 billion-tree initiative and leadership in the Middle East Green Initiative, are driving regional momentum, supported by similar efforts in the UAE, Qatar, and others. Successful pilot programs are already showing results AI irrigation systems improving water efficiency by up to 50%, biochar reducing water demand, and composting boosting yields.
The report urges unified action across four fronts: regional policy alignment, expanded R&D ecosystems, innovation hubs for cross-border knowledge exchange, and blended finance models to scale deployment.
Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. Little, concluded: “The region must shift from pilots to transformation. Sustainable land management is no longer a future goal it is an immediate necessity.”
