The recently published ‘Lebanon-State of the Environment and Future Outlook (SOER)’ report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shows that hundreds of millions of dollars could be saved or generated by implementing environmentally friendly measures and projects. Such ventures, from using natural gas for power generation to rehabilitating dumpsites, are less costly than inaction and keeping the status quo. Air pollution, ecosystem services, forest exploitation, land degradation, and solid waste management have a measurable pecuniary aspect. Nonetheless, the damages caused to the environment and to human life and wellbeing remain largely invaluable and irreplaceable.
Gas-fired power generation saves lives and dollars
The report has developed two scenarios for its future outlook about the decade ahead. The first one assumes a robust enforcement of laws, decrees, national plans and strategies developed by the government. The second scenario projects a poor enforcement of these measures. The
