KEY POINTS
- Libya’s NOC has entered Phase Three of its campaign to plant one million trees by 2026, focusing on afforestation near oil sites.
- The broader Green Libya Initiative, backed by international oil firms, targets the planting of 100 million trees nationwide by 2030.
- Over 45,000 trees have already been planted in Tripoli, with significant contributions from ministries, schools, and civil society groups.
Thousands of Trees Planted as Libya’s NOC Enters Third Phase of Million-Tree Initiative
Libya’s National Oil Corporation, NOC, has announced the commencement of Phase Three of its ambitious One Million Tree-Planting Initiative, reinforcing its environmental stewardship and commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
This phase, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, focuses on afforestation in oil production areas and neighboring municipalities.
According to the NOC, the project will help “enhance vegetation cover in industrial zones, improve air quality, reduce carbon dioxide levels, and promote biodiversity in communities around oil operations.”
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with local and international stakeholders, including active participation from employees within Libya’s oil sector.
The initiative aligns with Libya’s broader Green Libya plan to plant 100 million trees
In previous phases, the NOC reported that “thousands of trees” had already been planted. Phase One, launched in February 2024, marked the beginning of the campaign under the “Thinking About Tomorrow” initiative.
The strategy was first unveiled by then-Chairman Farhat Bengdara at the COP28 World Climate Summit in December 2023. It focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of Libya’s oil and gas sector through long-term environmental investments.
The tree-planting program spans 40 sites across Libya, with forest seedlings carefully selected to suit each region’s environmental conditions.
Beyond restoring green cover, the initiative also aims to strengthen agriculture and boost resilience against the harsh effects of climate change, including desertification and prolonged drought.
Various partners have been instrumental in the campaign’s execution, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, civil society organizations, local councils, school students, security personnel, and scout associations.
Their collaborative involvement signals widespread national support for environmental revitalization.
The NOC’s reforestation drive is taking place alongside a much larger national endeavor—the Green Libya Initiative—launched by Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba in December 2024.
That project, which aims to plant 100 million trees by 2030, is supervised by the Executive Team for the PM’s Initiatives and Strategic Projects. The plan enjoys robust backing from foreign oil firms operating in Libya, including BP, ENI, OMV, Repsol, Equinor, Suncor, Gazprom, Halliburton, Tatneft, Oilinvest, Tamoil, and Wintershall.
