1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For the children of Libya, a change in climate is felt, first and foremost, through a change in water.
Temperatures are rising, increasing both water demand and water scarcity. Storms and flooding are also becoming increasingly common, affecting water quality. All of this, in turn, infringes on all aspects of children’s rights, including their right to safe water, food and a healthy environment.
All these impacts are set to worsen in the face of future climate change – with projections pointing to a hotter, dryer climate across all regions. As these impacts become more extreme, urgent action must be taken to protect Libya’s most vulnerable children.
Limited data and research currently exists on the specific impacts that Climate, Environment and Energy (CEE) issues are having on Libya’s children. The Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) aims to change this, by compiling all the latest data, research and other evidence needed to gain a better understanding of the issues facing children. Most importantly, the CLAC incorporates all the ideas, hopes and perspectives of Libya’s young people, and provides a series of recommendations for programme and policy action.
The results of the CLAC will support the implementation of the new UNICEF Libya Country Programme (2023-2025), allowing UNICEF to provide better, more targeted support to the most vulnerable children.
Libya’s planned ratification of the Paris Agreement (signed in 2016), in addition to the country’s economic recovery, both provide key opportunities to “build back greener and better.” It is hoped that the CLAC will help positively influence this recovery, inspiring the Government and our sector partners to take urgent, more meaningful climate action for Libya’s children.
1.1 Key findings
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Climate change and other environmental hazards are among the greatest threats currently facing Libya’s children, both now and in the future.
Unless tackled, they are set to undermine all aspects of children’s rights. -
Drought, flooding, sea-level rise and dust and sandstorms are becoming more common as a result of climate change.
Additionally, air pollution, water pollution, desertification and a lack of sustainable solid waste management, all threaten the environment Libya’s children live in. -
Libya’s young people care deeply about the state of the environment and want their Government to do more to protect it. Youth are an important part of the solution and their voices must be elevated and heard – including in all of the policies that affect their lives.
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It is the poorest children living in the most hazard-prone districts (Map.1) who are most vulnerable to climate change and other environmental impacts.
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Twenty out of Libya’s twenty two districts scored highly in terms of direct exposure to climate hazards, including extreme heat, water scarcity, flooding and dust and sandstorms). The worst affected districts include Zawiya,
Murqub, Jufra, Wadi al Shatii and Sirte.