Menjez: The Small Greenville Giant

• City: Menjez, Lebanon
• Size and population development: 2500 residents
• Main industries / business: Tourism, service, commerce, research and development
• Political structure: Mayor and City Council
• Administrative structure: Municipal Council Local Authority

Menjez, a pioneering Lebanese municipality in climate action, has taken significant steps toward sustainability in the absence of a national energy and climate management plan. Lebanon's municipalities face disproportionate impacts of climate change, compounded by limited technical expertise, scarce resources, rigid legislation, and ineffective monitoring systems. Despite these challenges, Menjez stands out for its commitment to creating a sustainable, smart, and environmentally responsible village, driven by a vision of preserving the planet for current and future generations.

As the first fair-trade town in the region in 2012 and a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors since 2014, Menjez launched a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in 2016 with bold targets to be achieved by 2023, including a 100 kW solar plant, rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, streetlighting modernization, wastewater treatment, agricultural upgrades, and biodiversity and heritage protection. These initiatives reflect its dedication to combating climate change, improving air quality, and fostering sustainable development.

Recognizing the need to build local governance capacities, Menjez is developing a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) by updating their SEAP targets and adding bold climate action focusing on enhanced strategies, project implementation, and fundraising. External support remains critical to overcoming resource and expertise challenges and ensuring the municipality achieves its ambitious sustainability goals while addressing climate hazards like heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires.
 

The Municipality of Menjez has demonstrated a proactive approach to climate action and sustainable development through its Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). Beneficiaries of these efforts include the local municipal council, staff, and environmental units, as well as the 3,200 citizens, two schools, and over 1,000 students and teachers in Menjez. The SEAP, developed with support from the EU CES-MED project and partnerships with organizations like the Municipality of Naples, outlines key initiatives to reduce emissions, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable growth.

- Key Steps Taken:

1. Establishing national and international partnerships with donors, EU programs, universities, NGOs, and others.

2. Preparing and implementing scientific action plans.

3. Identifying funding opportunities and engaging in capacity building and governance training.

- Achievements and Solutions:

Menjez committed to a 25% reduction in emissions by 2020, exceeding the Covenant of Mayors target of 20% compared to 1990 levels. The SEAP's implementation included:

• Energy and Infrastructure:

  • A 100 kW solar PV plant on grid installed (USAID and René Moawad Foundation).

  • Solar-powered and LED streetlighting (EU funds with AKTIS Strategy).

  • Drinking water system modernization (Embassy of Japan).

  • Wastewater treatment and plant installation (UNICEF and Ministry of Energy)

  • Prefeasibility studies on wind turbines and wastewater treatment (ALMEE-AFD).
     

• Water and Agriculture:

  • A 60,000 m³ rainwater harvesting hill lake (IFAD with Green Plan).

  • Briquette and pellet factory for sustainable heating (NORAD with MADA NGO).

  • Irrigation infrastructure and agricultural road improvements (EU with CDR).

  • Reforestation of 300,000 sqm with 25.000 trees and essential oil extraction facilities (EU with University of Balamand).
     

• Tourism and Forest Management:

  • Rural tourism development and fire prevention action plans (USAID).

  • Forest management action plan for sustainable non-wood products (EU with University of Balamand).
     

• Youth Engagement:

  • Youth Climate Action Fund for innovative solutions (Bloomberg Philanthropies with UCLG and John Hopkins University).

Collaboration with international and national donors, EU and national programs, universities, foundations, chambers of commerce, and NGOs has been pivotal in advancing the sustainable and impactful initiatives outlined in the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). Over time, these collaborations evolved into key funding partnerships, as highlighted in the funding section.

It all started in 2012 when Menjez became the first fair-trade town in Lebanon and the Middle East, showcasing its commitment to sustainability. In 2014, it became the first Lebanese municipality to join the EU Covenant of Mayors, inspiring 16 other cities in Lebanon to follow its lead in advancing energy efficiency and climate resilience, and transforming Menjez into a sustainable, smart, and eco-conscious community.

These partnerships and initiatives demonstrate a shared dedication to sustainable development and innovation across diverse sectors and regions.

Maintaining permanent communication with citizens involves both in-person workshops and social media. The Mayor and Council maintain direct communication with citizens, involving them as much as possible in updating the city’s vision and decision-making processes to improve sustainability and achieve Menjez's climate goals. Facebook page of the municipality: https://www.facebook.com/share/M5NrbwXYV3DXh3Jj/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Funding was initially difficult to secure, but with the help of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) through the CES-MED (EU project) and other partnerships, the process became much easier. Below is a list of partners who have contributed to various projects and programs:

• EU ENPI CBC MED SHAMMS Project
• USAID (in collaboration with the René Moawad Foundation)
• EU funds (with UK AKTIS Strategy, University of Balamand, and Council Development & Reconstruction (CDR)
• NORAD funds (in collaboration with MADA NGO)
• IFAD fund, in collaboration with the Green Plan
• Embassy of Japan in Lebanon
• UNICEF funds in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Water
• Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with UCLG and John Hopkins University
• Lebanese Association for Energy Saving and for Environment (ALMEE)
• Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
• Transformative Action Programme - TAP (ICLEI)

The Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in Menjez has driven significant progress in energy transition, sustainability, and resilience. By increasing renewable energy use, it has reduced reliance on fossil fuels, eased grid pressure, and cut energy costs for 2,000 beneficiaries. It has strengthened the local economy by promoting locally produced food and creating diverse economic opportunities. Environmentally, the SEAP has reduced emissions, replaced fossil fuels, improved water and waste management, and protected biodiversity. Socially, it has enhanced community self-reliance, improved pedestrian infrastructure, and fostered a healthier, more resilient population, transforming Menjez into a sustainable and thriving community. Finally, the SEAP has served as a solid basis for the update into a SECAP currently in progress.

• Financial: Insufficient access to investments, loans, and operating capital due to Lebanon’s monetary and financial crises and the collapse of the banking sector. High initial costs for implementing measures exceed the capacity of local authorities.
   
• Technical: No established practices in Lebanon. Municipalities face significant challenges due to limited technical capacity and a lack of qualified staff.
   
• Regulatory: Measures require approvals from multiple ministries or standardization entities (Environment, Interior, and Municipalities). Administrative procedures are lengthy, causing delays.

• https://www.britishcouncil.org/valorisation-mengez-megalithic-sites
• http://baladi-lebanon.org/projects/2nd-round/
• http://main.balamand.edu.lb/Academics/CentersInstitutes/IOE/InstituteProjects/ARDAC/Pages/default.aspx
• http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/lebanon/press_corner/all_news/news/2014/20140709_5_en.htm
• http://www.lb.emb-japan.go.jp/Previous_Projects.html#2014
• http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/NewWorld.pdf

Georges Youssef
Mayor of Menjez
Mejez Main Road, Municipality Building
menjezmunicipality@gmail.com 
Tel: + 961 3 706 221

Sabine Saad
Director of Ecological Transition, Regional and International Cooperation, ALMEE
Baabda, Lebanon
sabineysaad@gmail.com
Tel: + 961 71 05 01 06