On Saturday, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) raised a significant alarm about the dire consequences of climate change in Libya, identifying it as a critical ‘climate hotspot’. This report comes in the wake of the devastating impact of Storm Daniel, which highlighted the compounded challenges faced by conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable communities in Libya.
The country, already struggling with over a decade of conflict, faces intensified climate change consequences, including more frequent and severe extreme weather events.
The report illuminated the dire situation in these regions, where years of conflict and displacement have compounded the challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity. It stresses that the “capacity of these nations to adapt to climate change is severely limited, exacerbating their overall societal vulnerabilities.”
Libya’s unique geographical position in the southern Mediterranean, places it in a particularly vulnerable spot concerning future climate change effects. The report warns of a grim future, where a 1.2°C rise in global temperatures could drastically increase the severity and frequency of disasters like Daniel.
The NRC’s findings also shed light on Libya’s acute water challenges. With no rivers in the country, Libya’s reliance on groundwater is highlighted, alongside the absence of a comprehensive strategy for water management. The NRC has observed significant impacts of water scarcity on Libya’s agriculture, and local water usage.
Furthermore, the report criticized the global response to climate change, particularly highlighting the failure of United Nations agreements and climate conferences to adequately address the needs of fragile and conflict-affected nations. It urges for an ambitious plan at the UN’s climate change conference in the UAE, to prioritize support for populations impacted by conflict and displacement.
The MENA region is among the most water-stressed and climate-vulnerable regions worldwide. However, it receives the least climate financing globally, often leaving conflict and displacement-stricken nations like Libya out of climate action, and funding scopes.
The NRC called for urgent action to amend this oversight. It advocates for enhanced climate-related funding, damage and loss financing, and measures to bolster the region’s adaptability to climate change. The report underscores the importance of inclusive climate change and water management strategies, which consider the needs of those affected by conflict and displacement, highlighting the need for substantial investment and international support in these areas.