Lebanon Reports Over $512 Million Environmental Losses Due to War

Environment Minister Tamara Al-Zein declared that despite Lebanon's significant challenges, the country remains steadfast in its environmental commitment and continues to advance policies and initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving its natural resources. She stressed that Lebanon faces a critical national priority to place environmental rehabilitation at the core of post-war reconstruction and recovery efforts.

Al-Zein highlighted that the environmental sector's losses resulting from the Israeli war on Lebanon during 2023-2024 have surpassed 512 million US dollars, in addition to damages from the 2026 conflict.

The minister delivered these remarks on behalf of Lebanon at the General Assembly of the Global Environment Facility held today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

In her speech, she stated: "Although Lebanon's geographic area is limited, it possesses a unique natural and cultural heritage reflected in its forests, woodlands, mountains, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as vital migratory corridors for birds and wildlife. This environmental heritage forms a fundamental pillar of regional biodiversity and plays a central role in enhancing ecological connectivity across the region."

She added that this heritage currently faces escalating challenges and pressures, including the impacts of climate change, land degradation, biodiversity decline, increasing stress on water resources, ongoing economic crises, and severe environmental consequences stemming from the Israeli war on Lebanon.

According to World Bank estimates, the environmental sector's losses due to the 2023–2024 war exceeded 512 million US dollars, with additional losses from the 2026 war. The scale of damage to ecosystems and natural resources amounts to environmental devastation in the fullest sense. Thousands of hectares of forests, agricultural lands, and natural habitats suffered destruction or severe damage, notably from the use of white phosphorus and widespread spraying of glyphosate. These practices have contributed to a significant decline in biodiversity, disruption of ecological balances, and undermined the resilience of local communities.

Nevertheless, despite these profound challenges, Lebanon remains committed to environmental action and continues to strengthen its policies and initiatives aimed at safeguarding its natural resources. Over the past fifteen months, Lebanon has launched a series of reforms and practical measures in key areas, including environmental governance, climate planning, sustainable solid waste management, proper environmental treatment of war debris, biodiversity conservation through expanding, enhancing, and diversifying protected areas, as well as promoting environmental citizenship and advancing green education.

Simultaneously, Lebanon confronts a vital national task to make environmental rehabilitation a central focus in reconstruction and recovery efforts after the war. Restoring damaged ecosystems, rehabilitating degraded lands, and recovering biodiversity are not peripheral issues that can be postponed but essential conditions for achieving sustainable development and resilient reconstruction capable of withstanding future challenges.

The minister concluded by urging the Global Environment Facility and its international partners to continue supporting Lebanon's environmental reform path and assist its efforts in addressing ongoing challenges, while looking forward to an effective partnership that contributes to post-war environmental recovery.