BEIRUT: Environment Minister Mohammad Rahhal announced Friday a three-year plan to promote environmental inspection and law enforcement to prevent pollution and adapt to climate change. The plan is divided into 10 projects. “The plan includes 10 projects which would be tackled in cooperation with the public and private sector and in accordance with international environmental resolutions,” Rahhal said.
Rahhal highlighted the importance of promoting developmental projects by synchronizing environmental and economic development. The minister also called for the adoption of preventive measures to protect the environment.
“The World Bank said our annual losses due to environmental problems reach $565 million,” the minister said.
Rahhal stressed that the program aimed at stopping deforestation and end regression in green area surfaces by planting more than one million trees annually as well as fighting forest fires.
The minister also underscored the need to re-activate waste management plans and boost the production of environment friendly products.
Also, the ministry’s plan called for encouraging environmental investments as well as implementing several environmental policy reforms.
Rahhal added that the ministry would work on issuing several decrees in accordance with international agreements with regard to the evaluation of strategic policies and regulations when it comes to environmental inspection and enforcement.
Tackling air pollution solutions, Rahhal said the ministry would encourage the modernization of the public transportation sector and promote its use through helping in the acquisition of new fuel-efficient taxi cars.
The statement added that the Environment Ministry would support the Energy and Water Ministry to instigate new initiative to use alternative energy sources particularly with regard to Lebanon’s commitments during the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.
As for boosting expertise in environmental fields, Rahhal said the ministry would promote environmental studies in order to secure a sufficient number of qualified individuals to meet the country’s job market need.
Tackling the role of local municipalities, Rahhal said that the ministry would continue to push forward to promote the municipal councils’ role in environmental management.
Rahhal’s statements followed a visit that aimed to shut down an illegal operating sand quarry in the Ain Darah region. Scores of quarries have operated illegally in Lebanon.
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