The Climate Crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

This book presents a multi-disciplinary analysis of the current and predicted effects of climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME), and their impact on key sectors of the economy.

The EMME is considered a global “climate change hot-spot”, with unique vulnerabilities. Despite that fact that several countries in this region have expressed serious concern about climate impacts, detailed regional environmental data and climate modelling remain limited. This book explores the physical, technological and socio-economical drivers of the climate crisis, with individual chapters devoted to key sectors, including energy systems, water resources, green economy, and the marine environment, among others. The book also documents the evolution, structure, governance, and implementation framework of the EMME Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI), a regional cooperative effort launched by the Republic of Cyprus in 2019, which promotes science and technology-driven regional climate action, with emphasis on transboundary projects and regional cooperation mechanisms. Particular attention is given to the EMME-CCI Regional Action Plan, and the broader conditions shaping climate action in the region.

Bringing together scientific analysis, policy perspectives, and regional case studies, this book provides a comprehensive guide for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and students engaged in climate policy, risk management, and climate change studies more broadly.