SPNL signed first MOU on C4C Project: Municipality of Jdeidet El-Chouf mobilize for the climate

The Municipality of Jdeidet El-Chouf, represented by the Head of Municipality, Eng. Hisham Fatayri and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) represented by, Director General, Assad Serhal signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementing the EU-funded Climate for Cities (C4C) project in Lebanon whose actions include implementing infrastructure projects under the Jdeidet El-Chouf SECAP, as well as promoting behavioral changes at a local level through awareness campaigns on sustainable living, and strengthening the use of Nature-based solutions using the Hima approach.
The global objective of the Climate for Cities’ Call for Proposals is to contribute to sustainable human development by promoting a transition towards greener and climate-resilient cities in the Southern Neighbourhood, in line with countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, and making optimum use of climate finance instruments.
The Climate for Cities (C4C) Programme aims to promote the transition towards greener and climate-resilient cities, in line with countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement. The programme will support the implementation of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAPs) and comparable local-level plans aimed at increasing climate resilience and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Society for the Protection of Nature and Natural Resources in Lebanon-SPNL”, is an association that works in the field of scientific research, nature protection and conservation of species, and works on reviving the concept of Al-Hima in the process of natural resources protection and conservation, integrating climate resilience, disseminating environmental awareness and training, cooperation and contracting with local, regional and international organizations and companies involved in the abovementioned activities;
Whereas the Second Party wishes to assist the Municipality of Jdeidet El-Chouf in implementing the SECAP and improving its capacity to design and implement job and income generating climate actions at the local level;
SPNL is currently implementing the EU-funded Climate for Cities (C4C) project in Lebanon whose actions include implementing infrastructure projects under the Jdeidet El-Chouf SECAP, as well as promoting behavioral changes at a local level through awareness campaigns on sustainable living, and strengthening the use of Nature-based solutions using the Hima approach;
The Municipality of Jdeidet El-Chouf and SPNL have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation during the period from the date of its signature until 31 December 2024, where the objective of this MoU and the priority activities per party are identified as complementary to fulfill the objectives of the C4C Lebanon project and achieve the purpose of this MoU; The objective of the MoU is to implement the C4C Lebanon project activities in the Municipality of Jdeidet El-Chouf through SPNL.

The relevant activities the Municipality of Jdeidet El-Chouf are as follows:
– Providing all the assistance possible for the implementation of the infrastructure projects.
– Supporting SPNL in organizing awareness campaigns at the level of schools, youths and women in the municipality.
– Publishing a Municipal Council decision approving the establishment of Hima within Jdeidet El-Chouf real estate region in cooperation with SPNL.
– Securing all activities to be implemented within the C4C project under the protection and supervision of the Municipal Council.

The mainstreaming activities proposed by SPNL are:

– Implementing resource efficient and low carbon infrastructure projects in the municipality.
– Organizing awareness campaigns with schools, NGOs, youth, women, and households on sustainable living.
– Developing Hima management and business plans to ensure the sustainability of the established Hima in Jdeidet El-Chouf.

C4C in Brief

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is supporting municipalities to develop and implement their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs), which are local plans aimed at increasing climate action and sustainable use of natural resources.

Supported by the European Union and the Sub-National Climate Finance (SCF), SPNL is focusing on projects in four municipalities: Hammana, Menjez, Baakline, and Jdeidet Al-Chouf, that will assist these municipalities in implementing the SECAPs and improving their capacity to design and implement job and income generating climate actions at the local level.

The actions in these municipalities and national level include:
(1) Implementing resource efficient and low carbon infrastructure projects in the target municipalities, including providing 24/7 electricity through the support of solar energy;
(2) Promoting green technology and behavioral changes at local level through hands-on awareness campaigns with schools, NGOs, youth, women, and households on sustainable living;
(3) Capacity building of relevant national stakeholders on green cities and natural resource management;
(4) Ensuring replication through strengthening the national framework for sub-national climate action and dissemination of lessons learned;
(5) Strengthening the use of Nature-based Solutions for climate action using the Hima approach.

The project also includes establishing a Center of Excellence on Green Economy and sustainable finance, conducting a national social media awareness campaign, reforestation, among a number of other activities.

The SCF is a program funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Regions of Climate Action (R20), the Gold Standard Foundation, and Pegasus Capital.