MedECC - Mediterranean Experts on Climate and environmental Change

Strengthening the science-policy interface on climate and

environmental change in the Mediterranean: the MedECC network

The Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC), an open and independent international network of scientists established in 2015, plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges. It brings together scientists and experts from 35 countries to generate actionable scientific knowledge. MedECC integrates findings on climate and environmental changes, along with associated risks, and considers social aspects such as migration in the Mediterranean region. It communicates these insights to policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens. MedECC’s primary goal is to understand the information needs of decision-makers, conduct relevant assessments, and enhance the dissemination of this information to support evidence-based policy-making. MedECC aims to bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers by contributing to the improvement of policies at all levels through accurate and accessible information on current and future impacts of climate and environmental change in the Mediterranean. MedECC operates according to high scientific standards and involves experts from various regions and disciplines, including more than 800 scientists from 35 countries, with 300 actively contributing as authors.

Coordination

MedECC is currently governed by three scientific coordinators: Salpie Djoundourian (Lebanese American University, Lebanon, Joël Guiot (CNRS, European Centre for Research and Teaching in Environmental Geosciences – CEREGE, France), and Piero Lionello (University of Salento, Italy), as well as by the Steering Committee composed of 12 members. Additionally, the Advisory Board aims to facilitate dialogue between the MedECC scientific community and the stakeholders and institutions in the Mediterranean region that support MedECC. It is composed of UNEP/MAP, the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Plan Bleu/RAC, and the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia (CADS).

Key publications

The First Mediterranean Assessment Report (MAR1), published in November 2020, presents the current situation and the future risks related to the impacts of environmental changes on the Mediterranean Basin. This report is the result of an immense collaboration in which 190 scientists from 25 countries participated on a voluntary basis.

The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of MAR1, also released in 2020, highlights the key messages of this report. In order to facilitate the dissemination of this project across the Mediterranean Basin, the summary is available in several languages: English (original), Arabic, Catalan, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Turkish.

In November 2020, MedECC also published a new infographic that summarizes the risks and impacts associated with environmental change in the Mediterranean Basin. It is currently available in three languages: English, French, and Turkish.

The Special Report “Interlinking climate change with the Water – Energy – Food – Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus in the Mediterranean Basin” , published in November 2024, is a significant step in understanding the complex relationships between water, energy, food, and ecosystems in the Mediterranean. It covers the drivers of change, cascading impacts, and response options to address the multiple challenges in the region. 

The Special Report “Climate and Environmental Coastal Risks in the Mediterranean”, and its Summary for Policymakers (SPM) published in November 2024 provide a comprehensive assessment of the scientific, technical and socio-economic literature on environmental and climate change hazards in the region’s coastal zones.

Political recognition and distinctions

During the 2nd UfM Ministerial Conference on Environment and Climate Action held on 4 October 2021 in Cairo (Egypt), the 42 ministers recognized, in their declaration, SPM as an important contribution of the scientific community to future climate and environmental actions in the Mediterranean region.

During the 22nd meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention COP22 (Antalya, Türkiye), the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) was endorsed by the Contracting Parties. MedECC and the main messages of MAR1 were presented by Lina Tode, the deputy director of Plan Bleu during the side event of climate change on December 8, 2021.

MedECC received on December 9, 2021 in Lisbon the North-South Prize 2020 of the Council of Europe for “its efforts to address climate change and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean and in particular by drafting the first-ever scientific assessment on climate and environmental changes impacts in the Mediterranean Basin”.

During the 23rd meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention COP22 in Portoroz (Slovenia), the SPM of the Special Report “Climate and Environmental Coastal Risks in the Mediterranean”, was approved by the Contracting Parties. Strengthened support and recognition for MedECC at COP 23 Barcelona Convention – MedECC.