13.3.5.Collaboration with NGOs on climate adaptation 

Lebanese University collaborates with follows NGOs to support climate adaptation 

Of the 196 projects submitted by the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region, the European Union adopted 3 agricultural projects, one of which is the Lebanese University ( ALBACETES ) in cooperation with the French University of ( Sophia Antipolis ), the Spanish University ( Castilla La Mancha ), the Greek University ( Thessaly ) and the Institute of Forests and Water In Tunisia ( INREGERF ), under the heading:  

Sustainable Production in Water Limited Environments of Mediterranean Agro Ecosystems (SUPROMED) 

The project aims to study the sustainability of production in the eco-agricultural systems of the Mediterranean basin in light of the limited natural water sources, and the plan includes improving the quality of crops by relying on modern internationally approved irrigation methods. 

The launching ceremony of the ( SUPROMED PRIMA ) project in Spain was attended by a delegation from the Lebanese University that included the General Coordinator of the University's External Relations Office Professor Zainab Saad, Coordinator and Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources at the Faculty of Agriculture Professor Abdel Halim Mneimneh, National Coordinator of the project Professor Fadi Karam and a representative of the professors at Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Nadine Nas 

The Environmental Scout Organization in Lebanon launched a new school campaign to raise environmental awareness in the field of waste sorting from the source for 2019, within the framework of the existing cooperation with the Municipality of Tripoli and the students of the Lebanese University - Faculty of Public Health. The campaign included a practical training activity on sorting, recycling and reuse, and an explanation of the risks posed by the wrong treatment of household waste, through interactive games and presentations by the participants (13/2/2019). 

Concluded by the Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University, in cooperation with the Mediterranean Agricultural Institute in Montpellier, a training course in the city of Baalbek for four days, within the agricultural development program and rural ( ARDP ) funded by the European Union and implemented by the Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University and the Municipality of Baalbek. (27/3/2019) 

The course focused on good practices in forest management, planning and planting with the participation of the Tunisian trainer, Professor Ali Farshishi. 

At the beginning, the mayor of Baalbek, Brigadier Hussein Al-Lakqis, spoke to the attendees, praising the project and its essence, stressing "the need for serious and continuous work to increase green areas and establish natural reserves to improve the environmental situation in Lebanon in general and in the northern Bekaa in particular." He referred to "the revival of the municipality of Baalbek, the feast of the tree, and its dedication as an annual tradition, in which schools, societies, clubs, and civil society organizations contribute to afforestation campaigns, especially forests in various parts of the city and the hills overlooking it.

In turn, the course supervisor, by the Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University, Dr. Salem Darwish, explained the objectives and importance of the training course. 

The session included seminars, discussions and recommendations on the status of forests in Lebanon and the southern Mediterranean and their non-wood products, and how to improve, develop and protect them. 

Participants emphasized the necessity and organization of forests, the importance of continuous afforestation, and the economic viability of aromatic and medicinal plants. 

The training course was concluded with field visits to the afforestation site of the Real Estate 101 Reserve, and to the nursery of the Ministry of Agriculture in the town of Deir al-Ahmar.  

Lebanon presents its INDC in a situation of development challenges, including, amongst other issues, a lack of security due to regional turmoil and a high level of poverty. Adaptation is a priority for Lebanon. Being a developing country with scarce water resources and high population density in the coastal areas, Lebanon is already facing and will continue to face, significant challenges as a result of climate change. The government of Lebanon recognizes that the more sustainable its development path is, the easier it will be to build resilience to climate change impacts. 

National, as well as sectoral planning, has addressed these challenges through the development of a number of low-carbon and adaptation strategies. These strategies take a long-term view, considering for example a full restructuring of the power sector between 2011 and 2030. Lebanon’s INDC builds on these strategies. The country is, however, not able to provide the resources necessary to implement these strategies completely on its own. International support is required to fully implement and track the existing adaptation and mitigation strategies and to further mainstream adaptation and mitigation throughout the economy. With regard to mitigation, the INDC has two targets: the first representing the country’s own contribution (“unconditional target”), the second offering a wider.  

Although no national legislation allocated to address climate change, Lebanon has passed policies and legislation, such as those related to energy efficiency, renewable energy and air pollution that may contribute to achieving the 13th goal of the sustainable development goals. 

For example, Law 78 dated 19/04/2018 on Protection of Air Quality was enacted by the Lebanese government, which defined emissions standards, roles, responsibilities and penalties for polluters. Lebanon also abolished (100%) taxes on electric cars and (80%) taxes on hybrid vehicles.