Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region

Climate change is increasing rapidly and the world will be subjected to additional severe weather events and natural disasters, therefore immediate actions are needed to mitigate and adapt climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are recognized globally among the most effective strategies to add...

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Main Authors: Karen Gebrael, George Mitri, Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Nature-Based Solutions
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772411524000508
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author Karen Gebrael
George Mitri
Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi
author_facet Karen Gebrael
George Mitri
Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi
author_sort Karen Gebrael
collection DOAJ
description Climate change is increasing rapidly and the world will be subjected to additional severe weather events and natural disasters, therefore immediate actions are needed to mitigate and adapt climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are recognized globally among the most effective strategies to address climate change. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one of the most affected regions by climate change; however, there is still limited knowledge about NBS implementation in this area. This study aims to explore the adoption and scope of NBS initiatives within the MENA region, providing a broad overview of the current situation. The specific objectives are to: 1) undertake a comprehensive literature review and database examination to assist decision-makers in recognizing NBS strategies pertinent to the MENA region, addressing the notable scarcity of reviews on NBS in this area; 2) classify the identified NBS strategies based on ecosystem types, challenges related to climate change, the economic status of countries, and types of interventions; and 3) identify and discuss the primary gaps in the implementation of NBS strategies in the MENA region, with the intent of fostering further research and enhancing the development and application of NBS strategies. Our findings indicate that the majority of identified case studies report on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction measures targeting land degradation, drought, food insecurity, and water scarcity, implemented primarily in terrestrial forests/woodlands and agricultural lands. This study contributes to improving the understanding of NBS implementation in MENA countries, thereby assisting policymakers and governments in enhancing NBS strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-6344db1e90604b148c47d7a3ea3661a02024-12-17T05:01:58ZengElsevierNature-Based Solutions2772-41152024-12-016100159Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA regionKaren Gebrael0George Mitri1Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi2Institute of the Environment, University of Balamand, Kelhat, El Koura, Lebanon; Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, Greece; Corresponding author.Institute of the Environment, University of Balamand, Kelhat, El Koura, LebanonDepartment of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, GreeceClimate change is increasing rapidly and the world will be subjected to additional severe weather events and natural disasters, therefore immediate actions are needed to mitigate and adapt climate change. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are recognized globally among the most effective strategies to address climate change. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one of the most affected regions by climate change; however, there is still limited knowledge about NBS implementation in this area. This study aims to explore the adoption and scope of NBS initiatives within the MENA region, providing a broad overview of the current situation. The specific objectives are to: 1) undertake a comprehensive literature review and database examination to assist decision-makers in recognizing NBS strategies pertinent to the MENA region, addressing the notable scarcity of reviews on NBS in this area; 2) classify the identified NBS strategies based on ecosystem types, challenges related to climate change, the economic status of countries, and types of interventions; and 3) identify and discuss the primary gaps in the implementation of NBS strategies in the MENA region, with the intent of fostering further research and enhancing the development and application of NBS strategies. Our findings indicate that the majority of identified case studies report on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction measures targeting land degradation, drought, food insecurity, and water scarcity, implemented primarily in terrestrial forests/woodlands and agricultural lands. This study contributes to improving the understanding of NBS implementation in MENA countries, thereby assisting policymakers and governments in enhancing NBS strategies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772411524000508Natural disasterNature-based solutionChallengesInterventionEcosystemClimate change
spellingShingle Karen Gebrael
George Mitri
Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi
Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region
Nature-Based Solutions
Natural disaster
Nature-based solution
Challenges
Intervention
Ecosystem
Climate change
title Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region
title_full Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region
title_fullStr Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region
title_full_unstemmed Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region
title_short Overview of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in the MENA region
title_sort overview of nature based solutions for climate resilience in the mena region
topic Natural disaster
Nature-based solution
Challenges
Intervention
Ecosystem
Climate change
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772411524000508
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AT olgaioannakalantzi overviewofnaturebasedsolutionsforclimateresilienceinthemenaregion