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What should Lebanon do?

  • There is a need to engage other non-state actors that play a key role in spreading climate change awareness and education and producing knowledge (activists in Lebanon have scored several victories over public and private sector projects they deemed unsustainable e.g., Bisri Dam, Dalieh Beirut etc.)
  • There is a need to assess and coordinate climate change related research among academic institutions and research institutes
  • Use existing platforms like the LCA to communicate how climate action can bring transformational change.
  • Set institutional arrangements that anchor the linkages among the various non-state actors and systematically capture their achievements.

What you need to know about Lebanon?

  • In Lebanon, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) is the national focal point for climate change.
  • In Lebanon, key international donors for climate change projects include the GEF, the EU, UNFCCC, World Bank, and EBRD among others. Financial support has been received in the form of grants, loans (including concessional ones), green bonds and credit lines.
  • A NDC committee chaired by the MoE was established in 2018. It currently focuses on the mitigation section of the NDC, since the adaptation sub-committee will be formed as part of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) consultative process.
  • A number of Lebanese municipalities have been engaged in climate action through the formulation and implementation of SECAPs.
  • The Lebanon Climate Act (LCA) was enacted in June 2016. It has been developed by the NGO Green Mind in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Recent developments, threats and levers for action

Recent developments

  • Aims to cut carbon emissions by 20%, up from 15%, by 2030.
  • Produced three National Communications and two Biennial Update Reports containing a national GHG inventory.
  • Adaptation to climate change is highlighted as a priority in Lebanon’s NDC.
  • Taking major initiatives in line with the National Water Sector Strategy (2012) to ensure the availability of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.
  • Undertaking several actions by implementing the National Forest Programme as adaptation measures.
  •  Lebanon is also promoting adaptation to climate change in other sectors such as health, infrastructure, tourism etc.

Strengths

  • A small country with a high average education.
  • Strong Environmental Activism within civil society.

Opportunities

  • Strong potential for renewables.
  • The electricity Sector needs heavy infrastructure investments.
  • Transport sector needs heavy infrastructure investments.
  • The post-August 4 explosion means that the reconstruction of the Port of Beirut can be done with high standards.

Weaknesses

  • Rampant corruption and clientelism within all public institutions.
  • Political Power-Sharing Agreement based on sectarian parties and permeant consensus-seeking.

Threats

  • Lebanon’s unfolding and unprecedented collapse.
  • Lebanon’s oil and gas exploration.
  • Regional conflicts and geopolitical instability.

About Climate Diplomacy Snapshots

The data is clear. Accelerated and enhanced action is needed now to build resilience and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. As they seek to address the ongoing health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19, governments should seize opportunities to invest in a recovery that will build social, economic and climate resilience on the long-term.The Climate Diplomacy Snapshots aim to provide the climate community with a clear overview of what each country should do, on climate and recovery, to pursue these joint objectives and keep the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C. Each has been prepared with the help of national experts, and will be regularly updated. The snapshots aim to support climate advocacy in the lead up to COP26.

Check other Snapshots