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 region is facing increasing challenges related to climate and environmental change, with significant impacts on ecosystems, societies, and economies. In this context, the Mediterranean Experts on Climate and environmental Change (MedECC) plays a crucial role in strengthening the science–policy interface.

MedECC is an open and independent international scientific network established in 2015 that brings together experts from diverse disciplines to analyse, and assess actionable scientific knowledge on climate and environmental change, associated risks, and societal dimensions in the Mediterranean region. Its primary objective is to identify the information needs of decision-makers, conduct relevant scientific assessments, and effectively disseminate accurate, accessible, and policy-relevant knowledge to policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens to support science-based decision-making. By bridging the gap between science and policy, MedECC contributes to improved policies at local, national, and regional levels. The network operates according to high scientific standards and involves more than 800 members?35 countries, including more than 350 actively contributing authors from 35 countries.

Governance

MedECC is currently coordinated 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). Governance is supported by a Steering Committee of 12 members.

The Advisory Board facilitates dialogue between the MedECC scientific community and key stakeholders and institutions in the Mediterranean region that support MedECC. It is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the Plan Bleu (UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Center), Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC), Climate Change Regional Activity Centre (CC/RAC),  the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia (CADS).

The MedECC Secretariat, hosted by Plan Bleu, ensures  the administrative, financial, technical and scientific implementation of the work programme, facilitating communication among MedECC bodies and stakeholders, and supporting the preparation of MedECC reports and products.

Key publications

The First Mediterranean Assessment Report (MAR1), published in November 2020, provides a comprehensive assessment of the current situation and future risks related to climate and environmental change in the Mediterranean Basin. This landmark report was produced through an extensive voluntary collaboration involving 190 scientists from 25 countries. The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of MAR1, also released in 2020, highlights the report’s key messages. To facilitate dissemination across the Mediterranean region, the SPM is available in several languages: English, Arabic, Catalan, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish. 

Since 2025, MedECC has been working on the Second Mediterranean Assessment Report (MAR2), which aims to update scientific knowledge, address gaps identified in MAR1 and integrate recent scientific advances. MAR2 will provide an updated multidisciplinary synthesis covering climatic, environmental, social, economic, political, and governance dimensions, thereby further strengthening the science–policy interface in the Mediterranean region. Its publication is scheduled for 2028.

The Special Report “Interlinking climate change with the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus in the Mediterranean Basin”, published in 2024, represents a major step forward in understanding the complex interactions between water, energy, food, and ecosystems. It addresses drivers of change, cascading impacts, and response options to tackle multiple regional challenges.

The Special Report “Climate and Environmental Coastal Risks in the Mediterranean”, published in 2024, provides a comprehensive assessment of scientific, technical, and socio-economic literature on climate- and environment-related hazards affecting Mediterranean coastal zones.

In June 2026, MedECC will publish an expert analysis examining the links between environmental change, conflict, and human migration. This analysis brings together interdisciplinary perspectives to assess how climate- and environment-related pressures interact with social and political factors to influence conflicts and mobility patterns across the Mediterranean region. It aims to provide an evidence-based foundation to inform policy discussions and future research on these interconnected challenges.

Political recognition and distinctions

The Summaries for Policymakers (SPMs) of MedECC’s three major assessment reports have been formally endorsed by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, highlighting their relevance for Mediterranean policy. At COP22 (Antalya, 2021), the SPM of MAR1 was endorsed [Decision IG.25/4]. At COP23 (Portorož, 2023), the SPM of the Special Report on Climate and Environmental Coastal Risks in the Mediterranean was approved [Decision IG.26/13]. Most recently, at COP24 (Cairo, 2025), the SPM of the Special Report on Interlinking Climate Change with the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus was endorsed [Decision IG.27/10].

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 the SPM of MAR1 as an important contribution of the scientific community to future climate and environmental action in the Mediterranean region.

On 9 December 2021, in Lisbon, MedECC received the North–South Prize 2020 of the Council of Europe for its efforts to address climate change and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean, notably through the production of the first comprehensive scientific assessment of climate and environmental change impacts in the Mediterranean Basin.