SwitchMed in Lebanon

United Nations 2 years ago

The Lebanese Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plan (SCP-NAP) was developed under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Industry (MoI) and other key partners under the EU funded SwitchMed programme. with advisory services and technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Plan is part of Lebanon’s efforts to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The SCP-NAP (SDG 12.1) prioritizes the mainstreaming of SCP in the industrial sector’s policies and plans and as developed in a participatory and consultative approach. SCP-NAP Summary was also available.  Switch to Circular Economy: Under SwitchMed II, a short document "How Lebanon is switching to a Circular Economy" was prepared to present an overview on how the country is implementing activities/policies/programs on SCP and Circular Economy.In this document you will see 10 success stories inspired by the work of SwitchMed in the Lebanese Republic. They show how what began in workshops developed into plans that created a ripple that flowed out around the country. This short publication shows that opportunities for countries from sustainable consumption and production are rich and varied. The Switch to SCP is off and running. SwitchMed is proud to have supported Lebanon in its work to build a society where people and planet thrive and prosper together. Lebanon has already developed integrated plans and a regulatory framework that have SCP at their core. For some time now, it has been building on these, expanding its waste reduction plan, establishing a circular economy, and further developing its work on sustainable water managements and energy solutions. It is clear that SCP is no longer just something discussed in meeting rooms. Now it is happening on the ground, across business and industry, in cities and regions, reducing pollution, improving the air we breathe, and promoting better use of nature’s gifts through resource-efficient and low-carbon consumption and production practices. Demonstration project:  UNEP work with Lebanese NGO - Nusaned under SwitchMed II in Lebanon on a community-based pilot in the Mar Mikhael - Gemmayze area in Beirut which seeks to address the challenges of reduction and prevention of food waste and packaging waste to divert them from landfills using concepts of SCP and circular economy. The outputs include: Green and Circular Restaurants Project Report Plastics Circle Report Food Circle Report Guideline for Restaurants Eateries to become Green and Circular For each of these documents 2-page and 10-page factsheet/summary delivered:  Nudawwer Project  Nudawwer Food Circle   Nudawwer Plastics Circle    Nudawwer Green and Circular Restaurants   SM II Lebanon Nudawwer   SM II Lebanon Nudawwer Food Circle   SM II Lebanon Nudawwer Plastics Circle  SM II Lebanon Nudawwer Green and Circular Restaurants  Policy recommendations of the different “circles” Next steps will be the organization of national restitution events and the preparation of  communication and awareness raising material. We looking forward to replicate this collaboration in the other on-going projects under SwitchMed II with the Hariri Foundation in Saida.
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layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 9 hours ago



Europe faces an urgent challenge in cutting the carbon footprint of construction. Research finds that only a complete overhaul of EU building stock will meet new emissions reduction targets for 2030. Deeper upgrades in energy performance, accelerated use of low carbon construction materials and investment in sustainable building design are highlighted as essential. Policymakers and developers are being urged to embed Whole Life Carbon thinking into renovation programmes, ensuring that both operational and embodied carbon are reduced at pace.

In the UK, the Retirement Villages Group is moving ahead with net zero carbon buildings, underpinned by science-based targets that include Whole Life Carbon Assessment and robust sustainability metrics. Their approach prioritises sustainable construction for an ageing population through eco-design for buildings, renewable building materials and energy-efficient buildings. This alignment of ambition with delivery demonstrates how sustainable building practices can serve both social demand and environmental sustainability in construction.

Debate is intensifying across Europe over sustainable finance and reporting rules. More than 200 companies are pressing lawmakers not to dilute requirements for ESG transparency. For the construction sector, where life cycle cost, lifecycle assessment and embodied carbon in materials are under close scrutiny, regression in policy could slow progress. Stronger enforcement is seen as vital to support sustainable material specification, environmental product declarations (EPDs) and carbon footprint reduction.

Digital platforms are reshaping environmental sustainability in construction by enabling real-time monitoring on site. Enhanced data improves material optimisation, reduces waste and tracks energy use, supporting lifecycle assessment and building lifecycle performance. These tools are quietly accelerating carbon footprint reduction and supporting low-impact construction through resource efficiency in construction and circular construction strategies.

Acquisitions and consolidation in the compliance and testing market underline a growing priority for credible assessment of low carbon building performance. SOCOTEC’s purchase of a structural monitoring specialist highlights increasing demand for reliable data to support Whole Life Carbon Assessment and green finance compliance. Accurate building lifecycle performance analysis is becoming essential as developers prove commitments to carbon neutral construction.

Global climate negotiations are placing construction at the centre of decarbonising the built environment. Campaigners are calling for low carbon design, Circular Economy in construction and net zero Whole Life Carbon strategies to become mainstream policy tools. Infrastructure and buildings are expected to dominate the agenda in the run-up to COP30, reinforcing the message that sustainable construction and eco-friendly construction are no longer optional but central to climate action.

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