Introduction
This climate change profile is designed to help integrate climate actions into development activities. It complements the publication ‘Climate-smart = Future-Proof! – Guidelines for Integrating climate-smart actions into development policies and activities’ and provides answers to some of the questions that are raised in the step-by-step approach in these guidelines.
The current and expected effects of climate change differ locally, nationally and regionally. The impacts of climate change effects on livelihoods, food and water security, ecosystems, infrastructure etc. differ per country and region as well as community and individual, with gender a particularly important vulnerabilityfactor. This profile aims to give insight in the climate change effects and impacts in Lebanon, with particular attention for food security and water. It also sheds light on the policies, priorities and commitments of the government in responding to climate change and important climate-relevant activities that are being implemented, including activities being internationally financed.
Summary
Lebanon is a highly urbanized, middle income country with most of its population in coastline cities that are vulnerable to climate-related sea level rise. Saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers is already occurring and will continue with rising seas. Reduced rainfall and increased temperature will result in a decrease in snow level, a vital water source, which will negatively impact on Lebanon’s water supply, particularly during the period for high demand of water for irrigation.
The Syrian crisis has resulted in an estimated 1.5 million refugees, increasing Lebanon’s population by 30% in just over two years and adding stress to the already-stretched economy and natural resources and hindering the country’s efforts to build a climate-resilient low carbon economy1