Environment in Lebanon Status Prospects Manal Moussallem LARP

Environment in Lebanon: Status & Prospects Manal Moussallem LARP; June 26, 2015

Environmental & Economic Indicators l a t en m n nce o r i Env rforma Pe Index EPI 91/178 ANS ? et N ed t s u s Adj aving S COED >800 Million $/yr of al t s Co ment n n o o r i i t v En grada De

State of Natural Resources at a Glance Municipal sewage (Connection Rate 60%; Treatment 8%; Sea Outfalls >53); Industrial effluents (43 MCM/Yr); Uncontrolled dumps; Pesticides; Spills; … Unplanned urban expansion (Zoning Extent: 16%); Unorganized quarrying (#: ~1, 278; Area: ~5, 267 Ha); Uncontrolled dumps (~ 700); . . . R E T WA 9, 119 Fauna & Flora species; Forests & OWL ~23%; IT 15 Nature S R E V Reserves &18 I D O Natural Sites…BI Y Forest fires; Pollution; Climate Change; Haphazard Urbanization? Syrian Conflict ? LAN AIR D Transport; Energy; Industry; Open dumping; . . . Regular monitoring & reporting?

Underlying Causes… Personal Environmenta l Consciousne ss Governance: Structure; Civil servants’ motivation & accountabilit y Ø Speed of legislation vs. Speed of degradation? Ø Application & Enforcement (incl. O&M) requirements vs. Capacity & Will? Ø Research for Development vs. Access to Information?

• SEA/EIA • Compliance • Environmental Designated Attorneys • National Council for the Environment Policy • Ozone • Climate Change • Biodiversit y Legislation Conventions Nonetheless, Some Breakthrough… • NSDS • SEANWSS • EFI International Environmental Rights: UN GA 69/212 (Oil Spill damage: ~856 million$) On the ground: Dump rehab. (Saida); IRBM (Qaraoun); AQMS; LMT Rate of environmental spending: grants, soft loans, legislation driven market Corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the rise

But much more is still needed… Conserving Natural Capita. Rehabilitate Increas e natural reserve s& sites degraded lands Managing Environmental Risks Support LEPAP Promote IERBM Emergency preparedne ss Recove r waste Flag the prevention and precaution principles

How can the Lebanese (citizens & diaspora) help? 1 Read & tell: • www. nsds. pcm. gov. lb • www. moe. gov. lb • www. lb. undp. org (Environment & Energy) II Read, tell & feedback III Be an environmental ambassador or a “cause pusher” • For the country as a whole or for a city • For the entire sector or for a specific project (PA, LR, WR, …)