MedECC joins Mediterranean Pavilion as scientific council at the UNFCCC COP 29. Conceived as a gathering space for collaboration, the Mediterranean Pavilion will host high-profile events, talks, and meetings, emphasising the critical climate risks and highlighting groundbreaking projects developed in the region. Led by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme – Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP-MAP), the PRIMA Foundation, and a coalition of major climate organisations, the Mediterranean Pavilion is a hub for exchanges on effective climate solutions tailored to the Mediterranean region’s needs.
MedECC participates with three major events that highlight the pressing climate and environmental challenges facing the Mediterranean region. This series includes the release of two key reports on coastal risks and the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus, underscoring our commitment to delivering science-based insights for climate action in the vulnerable region.
Climate, peace, and security nexus in the Mediterranean
Date: 15 November 2024
Time: 12:30 – 2:00 pm (Baku time)
Location: Mediterranean Pavilion, Blue Zone F1B and online
As climate impacts intensify, they increasingly affect peace and stability in the Mediterranean. This side event convenes experts from CIHEAM, ECCO, MedECC, and the UfM to explore the “climate, peace, and security nexus” and its implications for the region. With climate change amplifying pre-existing tensions and potential conflicts, the session will highlight strategies to strengthen resilience and sustainable development in the Mediterranean. During this policy-oriented panel discussion, a diverse panel of experts from national governments, intergovernmental organisations and scientific expert networks will delve into this matter, sharing insights and proposing solutions, including Eda Acara, Project Coordinator and Researcher, Istanbul Policy Center (IPC); Coordinating Lead Author of the MedECC Special Report on Environmental changes, conflicts, and human migration (remote)
Press conference: Special reports on coastal risks and the WEFE nexus
Date: 18 November 2024
Time: 12:00 – 12:30 pm (Baku time)
Location: Karabakh Area D
At this press conference, we will present highlights from the two special reports released this month on critical challenges in the Mediterranean: the first report addresses the climate and environmental coastal risks to Mediterranean coastal regions’ ecosystem and communities. The second report provides an in-depth analysis of the WEFE nexus where water, energy, food, and ecosystems intersect and emphasizes the importance of integrated resource management to enhance resilience across these sectors. The Summary for Policymakers will be presented by two of the report coordinators, Piero Lionello and Mohamed Abdel Monem. The session will open with remarks by Grammenos Mastrojeni, UfM Deputy Secretary General, who will outline key insights for shaping climate policy in the region. We look forward to sharing these important findings and engaging in a dialogue to advance solutions for a sustainable Mediterranean future.
Replay, Press Releases (AR, EN, ES, FR), Key Highlights for the Press (AR, EN, ES, FR, IT)
Climate Change and the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean
Date: 19 November 2024
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 pm (Baku time)
Location: MedPavilion, Blue Zone, Area E, F1B and online
This event will focus further on the WEFE nexus report, examining how climate change impacts interconnected natural and human systems across the Mediterranean. Moderated by UfM’s Grammenos Mastrojeni, this session will feature experts discussing innovative solutions and approaches for incorporating the WEFE concept into policy-making. Participants will gain insights into sustainable strategies that address the Mediterranean Basin’s unique environmental, economic, and social vulnerabilities.
Speakers
- Moderator: Grammenos Mastrojeni, UfM
- Mohamed ABDEL MONEM: Co-coordinator of the MedECC Special Report on the WEFE nexus
- Michael Scoullos: Chairperson of MIO-ECSDE and GWP-Med
- Assem ABU HATAB: The Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden; Arish University, Egypt / Coordinating Lead Author of the MedECC Special Report on the nexus (onsite)
- Frédéric De Dinechin: Senior Policy Advisor, UfM
Climate and environmental coastal risks in the Mediterranean
Date: 21 November 2024
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 pm (Baku time)
Location: MedPavilion, Blue Zone, Area E, F1B and online
The session aims to provide a clear understanding of climate and environmental coastal risks in the Mediterranean region by highlighting the current scientific knowledge and how this science can be leveraged for policy development that prioritise resilience, sustainability, and community well-being. It will discuss adaptation efforts and the need to avoid some of the current measures that may lead to greater challenges in the future by increasing vulnerabilities. The event advocates the need to protect communities, minimise impacts on the natural environment and societies, and address ethical considerations important for socially-oriented adaptation policies.
Keynote presentation 1: Climate and environmental coastal risks in the Mediterranean – Piero LIONELLO, University of Salento, Italy; Co-coordinator of the MedECC Special Report on Coastal Risks, Co-coordinator of MedECC
Keynote presentation 2: Management of coastal risk along the Mediterranean coast, Mohamed BDRABO, University of Alexandria, Egypt, Coordinating Lead Author of the MedECC Special Report on Coastal Risks
Keynote presentation 3: Sustainable development pathways in the Mediterranean, Stefano MONCADA, University of Malta, Malta, Coordinating Lead Author the MedECC Special Report on Coastal Risks
Keynote presentation 4: Insights from the Science-Policy Interfaces: Accelerating Coastal Adaptation and Climate Action – Daria POVH SKUGOR, Director of PAP/RAC, Lead Author of the MedECC Special Report
The Mediterranean region faces an unique set of vulnerabilities due to its geography, climate, and socio-economic structure, especially in relation to coastal risks and the interconnected “water-energy-food-ecosystems” (WEFE) nexus. MedECC’s new reports build on findings from the 2020 Mediterranean Assessment Report, the first scientific report of its kind for the region, to assess more in details these specific riks and adaptations responses. They aim to provide the necessary scientific background for governments, NGOs, and civil society, supporting the development of effective and equitable climate policies in the region.