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AlUla governorate is strengthening its position as a model for ecological restoration through its native plant nursery.

AlUla targets more than 500 local plant species by 2030

By Arab News ·
Greening the desert: How Saudi Arabia is cultivating a new era in sustainable agriculture

Greening the desert: How Saudi Arabia is cultivating a new era in sustainable agriculture

By Reem Walid   ·
Technology drives transformation of Saudi beekeeping industry

Technology drives transformation of Saudi beekeeping industry

By Rashid Hassan ·
Saudi Arabia launches freshwater fish breeding program

Saudi Arabia launches freshwater fish breeding program

By SPA ·
TYPES OF HONEYBEE
European honeybee
European honeybee

(Apis mellifera)

The most common type of honeybee species worldwide.

Known for producing honey, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly.

Genetic diversity and breeding history means they thrive in diverse environments.

Eastern honeybee
Eastern honeybee

(Apis cerana)

Native to Asia, used in agriculture, honey production and crop pollination.

Similar to Apis mellifera but smaller and gentler.

Worker brood often dies early or is removed, disrupting Varroa mite reproduction.

Giant honeybee (Apis dorsata)
Giant honeybee

(Apis dorsata)

Large with open nests, building a single large comb on tree branches or cliffs in South/Southeast Asia.

Highly defensive and exhibit dramatic behaviors such as zigzag stinging and mass buzzing.

Produces substantial honey and beeswax; often targeted by seasonal honey hunters.

Dwarf honeybee
Dwarf honeybee

(Apis florea)

Builds small, exposed, single-comb nests on branches or shrubs.

Found across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Key pollinators of tropical fruit crops but not used for large-scale honey production.

Cape honeybee (Apis mellifera capensis)
Cape honeybee

(Apis mellifera capensis)

Native to Western Cape and Fynbos regions of South Africa.

The queen bee can control whether an egg is fertilized. Fertilized eggs result in male bees; unfertilized are female.

Beneath Saudi waters, seagrass anchors life and resilience

Beneath Saudi waters, seagrass anchors life and resilience

By Jasmine Bager  ·
Special Coral reefs revolutionizing modern medicine as a vital biological source

Coral reefs revolutionizing modern medicine as a vital biological source

By Rashid Hassan ·
Special Ushar anchors life in Saudi Arabia’s harsh landscapes

Ushar anchors life in Saudi Arabia’s harsh landscapes

By Nada Hameed ·

Videos

Small creatures with big impact: The role of beneficial insects in the environment
Small creatures with big impact: The role of beneficial insects in the environment
How Saudi Arabia is nurturing a new generation of eco-journalists
How Saudi Arabia is nurturing a new generation of eco-journalists
Conversations under the tree: Saudi community space encourages discussions on environment
Conversations under the tree: Saudi community space encourages discussions on environment
Vision 2030 can inspire global solutions to land degradation, energy crisis
Vision 2030 can inspire global solutions to land degradation, energy crisis
UN helping 69 countries to draft national biodiversity plans, official says
UN helping 69 countries to draft national biodiversity plans, official says
KAUST drives Vision 2030 with groundbreaking sustainability efforts 
KAUST drives Vision 2030 with groundbreaking sustainability efforts 
Saudi Arabia surpasses Vision 2030 target of 1m volunteers ahead of time
Saudi Arabia surpasses Vision 2030 target of 1m volunteers ahead of time
Saudi Arabia a key player in global energy transition, says IRENA chief
Saudi Arabia a key player in global energy transition, says IRENA chief
COP16: Largest-ever UN meeting on desertification starts in Riyadh
COP16: Largest-ever UN meeting on desertification starts in Riyadh
How COP29 outcome may impact countries most affected by climate change
How COP29 outcome may impact countries most affected by climate change
Marine sustainability rising to the surface in urban planning

Marine sustainability rising to the surface in urban planning

By Basmah Albasrawi ·
Known scientifically as “Microparacaryum intermedium,” the daqqaqa is a delicate annual herb with a slender, cylindrical stem.

Daqqaqa … a testament to botanical richness in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders

By Arab News ·
Investors bet Iran war will boost Chinese renewables demand

Investors bet Iran war will boost Chinese renewables demand

By Reuters ·

Opinion

Hassan Alzain
Earth Day 2026 demands shared climate action
Author
Ahmed Yousif
Rethinking building performance in an age of energy volatility
Author
Hassan Alzain
Zero waste is the next step in sustainable growth
Author
Majid M Refae
Sustainability at scale: Why energy storage is now a strategic imperative
Author
Majed Al-Qatari 
A new paradigm of value-driven sustainable finance 
Author
Stefanie Schur
Planting and irrigation practices for desert landscapes
Author
Khaled Altareri
Why conservation is the smartest bet in Saudi tourism
Author
Turki Alnahari
Saudi Arabia’s mining ambitions demand best practice in water management
Author
Ian Campbell
Investing in the future of Saudi innovation
Author
Majed Al-Qatari
Artificial intelligence and the climate dilemma
Author
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture

Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture

By SPA ·
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea dolphins signal a thriving marine environment

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea dolphins signal a thriving marine environment

By Nada Hameed ·
Special Saudi Arabia brings the Asian houbara back from the brink

Saudi Arabia brings the Asian houbara back from the brink

By Nada Hameed  ·
Saudi Arabia advances sea turtle conservation with landmark tracking program

Saudi Arabia advances sea turtle conservation with landmark tracking program

By Nada Hameed ·
Special How KAUST is transforming waste into wealth

How KAUST is transforming waste into wealth

By Haifa Alshammari ·
Using space science to protect Saudi Arabia’s environment

Using space science to protect Saudi Arabia’s environment

By Haifa Alshammari ·
Qassim National Park records birth of Arabian oryx for third successive year

Qassim National Park records birth of Arabian oryx for third successive year

By Arab News ·
Initiative to plant 400,000 mangrove trees along the beaches of Rabigh that will be digitally monitored was launched.

Smart mangrove restoration initiative launched along the beaches of Rabigh

By Arab News ·
Surviving the sands: The battle to save Arabian wolves

Surviving the sands: The battle to save Arabian wolves

By Haifa Alshammari  ·

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