Lebanon

Lebanon’s environment is marked by its diverse ecosystems, from coastal areas to mountainous regions, but faces significant threats from deforestation, especially in its cedar forests, which are a national symbol. Water scarcity is a pressing issue, exacerbated by inefficient water management, pollution, and the over-extraction of groundwater, which impacts both agriculture and daily life. Additionally, Lebanon struggles with air and water pollution, primarily due to unregulated waste disposal, and urban sprawl, though there are emerging efforts to promote renewable energy, reforestation, and sustainable water management practices to address these environmental challenges.

IWMI in Lebanon

IWMI is working in Lebanon to enhance water security in response to the region’s critical challenges, such as severe water scarcity and climate extremes. By implementing nature-based solutions for water and agricultural water management, the organization aims to improve resilience across Lebanon’s agricultural systems, which are vital for food production and rural livelihoods. The projects emphasize community engagement, capacity building, and the integration of gender and inclusion, ensuring that local populations are empowered to manage their natural resources more sustainably.

Additionally, IWMI is fostering innovation in the water-energy-food nexus through regional support for entrepreneurs and innovators in Lebanon. By focusing on water efficiency, energy conservation, and sustainable food production, the initiative promotes local solutions that address both environmental degradation and socio-economic challenges. This approach not only improves water and energy use but also contributes to broader goals of food security, gender equality, and sustainable development in Lebanon and the wider MENA region.

Contact

Youssef Brouziyne

Country Representative – Egypt & Regional Representative – MENA

Maha Al-Zu’bi

Regional Researcher – Sustainable & Resilient Water Systems

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Latest Lebanon publications

Displaying 4 publications

Water reuse for resilience: using scientific evidence for water reuse inclusive policy formulation in Lebanon
2024
More... | Fulltext (2.17 MB)

Reusing treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is a key strategy to build resilience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particularly in Lebanon. As Lebanon faces a widening gap in water supply and demand, its agricultural sector is increasingly at risk. The countryapos;s 2024 National Water Sector Strategy identifies water reuse as one part of the solution to this crisis. However, despite years of investment in water and sanitation, Lebanon still lacks the necessary infrastructure, policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional support. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) plays a pivotal role in bridging science and policy, offering technical expertise to Lebanese counterparts through the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa (F2R-CWANA). IWMI’s efforts focus on developing Lebanonapos;s first tailor-made water reuse standards for agriculture, which are crucial for addressing water scarcity and enhancing food security. While IWMI provides guidance, the responsibility for endorsing and adopting these standards lies with Lebanon’s national regulatory agencies and government authorities. Establishing these standards is critical for ensuring water security and sustainable agriculture, particularly given the region’s environmental challenges. This policy brief outlines key recommendations for integrating treated wastewater into Lebanonapos;s Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus: (1) safeguarding environmental and public health, (2) implementing robust monitoring and evaluation processes, (3) creating business incentives, (4) ensuring inclusive design and implementation, and (5) formulating science-based public policies.

Sustainability / Participatory approaches / Monitoring and evaluation / Public health / Nexus approaches / Stakeholders / Models / Circular economy / Governance / Socioeconomic aspects / Food security / Water quality / Water security / Water scarcity / Wastewater treatment / Policies / Resilience / Standards / Water reuse
Record No:H053046

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High-resolution climate change projections and their adaptation planning implications for small basins in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Report prepared by the Building Climate Resilience through Enhanced Water Security in MENA (Al Murunah) project
2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (6.61 MB)

This report collates and synthesizes the findings from comprehensive climate baseline assessments and bias-corrected and statistically downscaled climate projections for four distinct areas: Ras Baalbeck in Lebanon, Abu Al-Matamir in Egypt, Wadi Al-Seer in Jordan, and Wadi Al-Faria’a in the West Bank of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). This study developed models to assess future projected climatological patterns, extreme events, and climate scenarios for these locations. Model outputs have a daily timestep and high spatial resolution (10x10 km). We developed the models using data from the Global Climate Monitoring Products and employing advanced techniques such as Bias Correction and Statistical Disaggregation (BCSD) of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) General Circulation Models (GCMs). Model outputs are available here: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/SCNQWS The study focused on principal temperature and precipitation indicators of most immediate relevance for water and food security. The Al Murunah project is using the study’s outputs to inform implementation planning of resilient nature-based water solutions (RNBWS) in each area, as well as considerations for their application more widely.

Flooding / Rainfall / Drought / Temperature / Extreme weather events / Climate models / Basins / Planning / Climate change adaptation / Climate change impacts / Projections / Climate prediction
Record No:H053686

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MENAdrought: toward drought management in Lebanon
2023
More... | Fulltext (1.44 MB)

Communities / Farmers / Action plans / Forecasting / Precipitation / Government / Agricultural sector / Assessment / Vulnerability / Climate change / Monitoring / Risk management / Drought
Record No:H052306

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Drought, fragility and human migration analysis: synthesis report of case studies in Lebanon and Jordan. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the Bureau for the Middle East of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
2022
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (3.54 MB)

Pastoralists / Farmers / Communities / Socioeconomic aspects / Government / Food security / Water management / Water supply / Water scarcity / Decision making / Investment / Policies / Strategies / Resilience / Climate change / Agricultural development / Sustainable agriculture / Case studies / Migration / Fragility / Drought
Record No:H052339

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