UN 2.0 in Action: Building Climate Resilience in Libya

Around the world, climate change is placing increasing pressure on ecosystems and communities, calling for urgent and collective action.

In Libya, these challenges are being met with innovative, data-driven and locally led solutions—reflecting the ambition of UN 2.0 to deliver smarter, more effective results for people.

The urgency is clear. United Nations data and scientific assessments show that global greenhouse gas emissions reached nearly 58 billion tonnes in 2024, while global temperatures rose to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Without stronger action, temperatures could rise much further this century, increasing risks to economies, ecosystems and human well-being.

In Libya, these pressures are already shaping daily life. Water scarcity, rising temperatures, unreliable energy and pressure on public services are affecting how communities live and adapt.

The United Nations Country Team in Libya is supporting efforts to strengthen resilience, improve essential services and scale practical solutions, helping communities adapt to a changing environment.

Improving Water Security and Services

Water security was a major focus of UN-supported efforts in 2025 with innovative and climate-smart solutions expanding access across Libya.

Across water-stressed areas in Libya, 642,600 people gained access to more reliable, climate-resilient water systems. Forty solar-powered pumping and treatment systems reduced reliance on fuel and water trucking, with more than half of beneficiaries now accessing water through renewable energy.

These changes mean more reliable water, lower costs and stronger resilience for communities.

In Yefren, restored water systems benefited 49,000 residents—more than half of them women—while new planning approaches enabled water to be delivered directly to urban areas.

“The installation of these pumps will allow water to be delivered directly to the city centre, reducing reliance on water tankers and lowering costs for residents.”
— Hussein Kafo, Mayor of Yefren Municipality

In Qatroun, restored wells brought water access back to 75 per cent of the population. In southern cities in areas experiencing heightened environmental stress and service gaps, including Ubari, Ghat, Qatroun, Kufra Alberkit, solar-powered systems improved both household water access and agricultural livelihoods, supporting farmers, strengthening irrigation systems and enhancing the productivity of palm farms

In southern Libya, integrated projects are also combining water access with renewable energy solutions. In Ghat, Tahala, Ubari, Alberkit, Alawainat and Sebha, solar-powered systems, water desalination units and rehabilitated wells have improved access to water while reducing reliance on fuel. These efforts have also included training more than 100 local technicians, helping communities manage and maintain systems and strengthening long-term sustainability.

Strengthening National Climate Systems

Alongside service improvements, Libya is strengthening how it manages climate risks.

In 2025, the country adopted a National Drought Management Strategy and advanced work on a Water Security Strategy to better plan for future shortages. Technical capacity has also improved, with specialists using geospatial tools to monitor water risks and support decision-making.

UN support also strengthened preparedness and analysis of climate-related risks. Specialized trainings in Al-Bayda, Tripoli, Misrata, Ghat and Sabha equipped 180 National Safety Authority responders with practical flood rescue and emergency response skills. At the same time, data collection, analysis and capacity-building helped national and local stakeholders better understand how environmental pressures affect livelihoods, mobility, social cohesion and community stability.

Libya has also taken important steps internationally. With UN support, the country completed its first national carbon inventory and advanced the development of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. It also progressed towards accessing international climate finance, helping turn plans into action.

“This work enables institutions to access and effectively implement climate finance.”
— Mustafa Solimen, Green Climate Fund Focal Point, Ministry of Environment

These efforts reflect a growing shift toward data-informed decision-making and forward-looking planning, in line with UN 2.0 priorities.

Improving Environmental Management

Progress was also made in environmental management. Seventy national and municipal authorities adopted standardized systems to track waste, creating Libya’s first reliable national baseline for waste planning and enabling more informed decision-making.

Improving wastewater management is also emerging as an important area for action. Strengthening wastewater systems can reduce environmental risks such as contamination of water resources, while also contributing to climate mitigation by helping better manage and reduce methane emissions.

At the local level, key water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were rehabilitated, improving public health conditions. Early initiatives also supported recycling and waste-reduction efforts, helping lay the foundation for more sustainable local economies.

One example is REC, a recycling enterprise in Derna that rebuilt its business after losing equipment and assets during the 2023 Storm Daniel floods.

Today, the company collects and recycles construction debris, damaged trees and organic waste, turning them into reusable materials that help reduce waste and support circular practices. With support from the UN, REC was able to restart its operations and continue its environmental work.

As co-founder Safia explains, “Just as we give discarded materials a second life, we had to give ourselves the same opportunity to begin again.”

REC's journey highlights the growing role of green entrepreneurship in Libya's recovery. By creating jobs, reducing waste and turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities, enterprises like REC are helping build more resilient communities and a more sustainable future.

Engaging Communities and Youth

Communities—and especially young people—are playing an increasing role in driving local solutions.

In 2025, 60,000 children and youth took part in digital climate initiatives, while community clean-up campaigns in Abu-Salim, Souq Al Joum’aa and Tripoli Centre mobilized over 600 volunteers and removed around nine tons of waste. Climate awareness programmes also reached 3,000 students and teachers.

These initiatives highlight how local innovation and community engagement are driving solutions on the ground.

“What began as workshops and clean-up campaigns turned into a wider conversation about responsibility and local action. Seeing communities take initiative—even organizing activities on their own—showed the real impact of this work.”
— Zahia Farag, CSO “Why Me”

In 2026, the EcoVision: Libya Youth Climate Challenge brought together more than 300 young people from across the country. Workshops in Benghazi, Sebha and Tripoli supported participants to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges.

Projects focused on areas such as climate-smart agriculture, water-saving technologies and reducing food waste—showing how local innovation can support national resilience.

As one participant noted, “EcoVision created real opportunities to turn our ideas into solutions and inspired us to drive change.”

These efforts highlight a growing shift: young people are not only raising awareness—they are helping design and lead climate solutions.

A Collective Effort

These results reflect the joint work of FAO, IOM, UNDP, UNICEF, UN-Habitat, UNOPS and WFP, working closely with Libyan institutions and communities across the country.

While global emissions continue to rise, progress is possible—but it needs to move faster. In Libya, this means continuing to invest in practical solutions: reliable water systems, renewable energy, stronger institutions and active communities.

From Action to Impact

The message is clear: climate action delivers real results—whether it is reliable water for families, better services for communities or opportunities for young people to shape their future.

In Libya, these efforts show how UN 2.0 is being translated into practical action—combining innovation, data and partnerships to deliver stronger, more resilient outcomes.

The United Nations Country Team in Libya remains committed to working with national and local partners to protect the environment, strengthen resilience and ensure that climate action brings real improvements to people’s lives.