The MENA region’s socio-economic vulnerability to local and transboundary climate risks can lead to political instability with global spillover effects. In a policy brief for Adaptation without Borders, Hanne Knaepen argues that the international community, including Europe, is not fully prepared to manage these risks and stresses the need to scale up regional adaptation finance.
Summary
This brief examines the transboundary climate risks affecting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and why countries in the region struggle to invest in systemic resilience, limiting their ability to manage these risks. It also evaluates adaptation finance as a tool for resilience, including a case study on the limitations of European adaptation support to tackle transboundary climate risks. Finally, it offers recommendations for MENA policymakers, focusing on scaling up adaptation finance and strengthening decentralised governance, among other strategies.
About the Author
Hanne Knaepen is the head of ECDPM’s climate action and green transition team. She focuses on climate adaptation, resilience and a just transition.