CoLD

Land degradation represents a major challenge in Syria and Lebanon, as in most Mediterranean countries. The primary environmental pressures affecting coastal areas in both countries stem from the high concentration of population—driven by natural growth and migration—as well as from intensive economic activities, including agriculture, heavy industry, and transportation.
Degradation processes are further exacerbated by the intrinsic characteristics of the landscapes, including relief, geomorphology, geology, and soil properties, as well as by the region’s climatic conditions, particularly rainfall intensity, recurring droughts, and the impacts of climate change.
In this context, Lebanese and Syrian institutions joined forces with national and international organisations active in environmental observation and monitoring to implement a harmonised methodological approach and a capacity-building programme. These efforts were designed to support the development and implementation of plans aimed at the control and sustainable management of land degradation in coastal areas of both countries.

Program financiranja

EU LIFE Third Countries

Razdoblje provedbe

2002-2004

Key objectives

The CoLD Project had the objective to improve Lebanese and Syrian national capacities relying on advanced tools for environmental management and planning of coastal zones, according to the principles of sustainable development. The main objectives were the following:

Prepare a diagnostic analysis of the human impacts causing land degradation
Characterisation of the study area by identifying stable non-erosion affected areas and unstable erosion-affected areas
Prepare a strategy and recommendations, supported by GIS and with an active public participation programme
Implement pilot projects, namely: the Damour river watershed and the Zahrani watershed (Lebanon), and areas of Kurdaha and Sheikh Bader (Syria).

Main results

Country reports were prepared for Lebanon and Syria. The Lebanon report includes detailed plans for the Damour River watershed and the Zahrani watershed, while the Syria report presents detailed plans for the pilot areas of Kurdaha and Sheikh Bader.

These represent the first coastal adaptation plans addressing climate change in erosion-prone areas. The plans are based on comprehensive analyses of coastal erosion processes resulting from natural characteristics, as well as land degradation caused by human interventions and unsustainable practices. Management proposals, including adaptation and remedial measures, the majority of which are Nature-based solutions, were developed and prioritized according to area-specific needs and vulnerability levels.

Role of PAP/RAC

Provide guidance and technical support to national teams
Training of national experts on the application of the Guidelines for mapping and measurement of rainfall-induced erosion processes in the Mediterranean coastal areas, and related Photo-library on soil erosion processes

Partnership

Lead partner:

UNEP/MAP Environment Remote Sensing Regional Activity Centre (ERS/RAC), Italy

Partners:

Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC), Croatia

National Centre for Remote Sensing (NCRS), Lebanon

General Organisation for Remote Sensing (GORS), Syria

Partneri

Izdvojene publikacije

Istražite ključna izvješća, smjernice i publikacije znanja koje podupiru održivo upravljanje obalnim i morskim područjima

Improving coastal land degradation monitoring in Lebanon and Syria (CoLD): Country report Lebanon

Download (EN)

Povezane novosti

6 prosinca, 2004

CoLD final conference in Damascus

Pročitajte više

6 prosinca, 2004

Conférence finale du projet CoLD à Damas

Pročitajte više

6 prosinca, 2004

CoLD final conference in Damascus

6 prosinca, 2004