This document provides an overview of sustainable development in Lebanon by:
1) Providing context on Lebanon's population, economy, social indicators, and definition of sustainable development.
2) Highlighting major sustainability issues such as poverty, gender inequality, environmental challenges, and lack of infrastructure. Recommendations are proposed to address these issues.
3) Stating next steps for decision makers to prioritize challenges, promote stability, and engage citizens to work towards a more sustainably developed Lebanon.
ICT role in 21st century education and it's challenges.
Rina Fayad IE Application
1. Ms. Rina Fayad - Global MBA application
February 2018
Approach to question G
2. • IE Business School is one of the top business schools in the world. IE
business school has identified sustainable development and social
responsibility as a core attribute to successful businesses and societies alike
• This document focuses on the sustainable development of Lebanon
• This document aims to answer the following question (G):
– Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects
behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In
your opinion, what should be improved?
• The approach that this document presents will focus on 3 points:
• Provide an overview of Lebanon and sustainable development
• Highlight the major current sustainability issues faced in Lebanon and propose solutions
and recommendations to improve sustainable development
• Provide next steps for decision makers
Context and objectives
4. Lebanon: an overview
1. 2014 data
Source: World Bank
• Surface area: 10,452 Squared KM
• Capital: Beirut
• Total Population (including refugees): ~6.0 million
• Refugee population: ~2.0 million
Economic Indicators
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): ~49.6 Bn1
• GDP per capita: USD 8,8441
• Major economic contribution sector:
• Services: 73.2%
• Industry: 23.6%
• Others: 4.2%
Workforce analysis:
• Unemployment: 6.7% of labor force1
• Labor force participation (pop. %):
• Male: 70.2
• Female: 29.8
Social and Environmental Indicators
Population statistics
• Population growth: 6.0%
• Life expectancy at birth: ~80 years
Environmental statistics
• Energy supply per capita (Gigajoules): 55.0
• Population using improved drinking water sources
(%): 99.0
• CO2 emission estimates (000 tons/tons per capita):
22581/4.3
• Forested area (% of land area): 13.4
Education analysis
• Government expenditure (% of GDP): 2.7
• Primary gross enrolment ratio (%): ~93%
Economic Indicators
5. Sustainable development: a definition
Source: United Nations
According to the UN:
“Sustainable development is an
economic development that meets
the needs of the present without
sacrificing the ability of future
generations to meet their own
needs”
Inclusive
EmpoweringInnovative
7. The path to sustainable development in Lebanon has been
fraught with difficulties and challenges, both external and internal
Source: United Nations Development Programme
World leaders
adopted the
2030 Agenda
that includes
17
Sustainable
Development
initiatives
Lebanon has
started
addressing
issues that are
highly
important to
his residents
who are way
far from
adopting a life
in line with
sustainable
development
Infrastructure
Natural habitat
and biodiversity
Sustainable
development
Environmental
sustainability
Industry
innovation
Gender Equality
Poverty
1
2
3
6
5
4
Focus areas
8. On poverty and gender equality
Source: United Nations Development Programme, Lebanese Government
Poverty
Gender equality
Initiative scope
No Poverty
Ensure equality
between men &
women
Goal
• Hard work is being done to help
the poorest through targeted
initiatives such as the National
Poverty Targeting Program
together with the World Bank.
• In 2017 70% of Syrian refugees
are living below the poverty line.
• Despite some efforts women in
Lebanon still face inequality in
society, politics, labor market.
• 3 % only of parliament seats are
held by women
• Women still only represent 5.5 %
of municipal seats
Current status
• Strengthen government
institutions in order to create jobs
needed in the 21st century
• Reduce macro-fiscal
vulnerabilities
• Ensure a more efficient and
targeted assistance for the
poorest through safety net
programs
• Eliminate violence against women
and discrimination
• Empower women and get them
more into power
• Ensure political participation and
opportunity
Recommendations
1
2
9. On environmental sustainability and industry
Source: United Nations Development Programme, Lebanese Government, World Bank
Environmental
sustainability
Industry
Clean water,
sufficient and
affordable energy
Industry innovation
• Although Lebanon has a
favorable water regime, supply is
a major issue all over the country
and people still face shortage and
in many places water is not safe
to drink.
• Limited electricity supply where
4.5% come from hydropower
while 95.5 % from oil
• Lebanon has a vibrant
entrepreneurship and a lot was
done to improve and grow small
businesses.
• Information &communication
technology sector in expected to
grow by 7.5 % in 2018
• Invest in improved water
infrastructure & promote better
water management, this will have
an impact on sustainable supply
in the future
• Move from oil as a main fuel for
energy and rely more on
renewable energy from resources
such as sun, wind and water
• Promote sustainable industries
• Invest in scientific research and
innovation
• Strengthen the industrial and
information technology sectors
3
4
Initiative scope Goal Current status Recommendations
10. Infrastructure and
transportation
Life on land and
under the sea
On infrastructure, natural habitat and biodiversity
Source: United Nations Development Programme
Infrastructure
Natural habitat
and biodiversity
• Lebanon road network and the
transport system is
underdeveloped compared to the
region.
• Lack of proper public
transportation
• The estimated cost of traffic
congestion is estimated between
5-10% of GDP
• Land resources suffer from
different forms of degradation,
with soil erosion, salinization and
contamination considered to be
the three main challenges.
• Lack of protection measures of
the coastal zone are negatively
affecting these ecosystems and
the species living in them.
• Increase investment in
transportation so people and
products can move efficiently
• Modernize and build resilient
infrastructure
• Increase road safety measures
and enhance the law
• Conserve and protect forests from
deforestation
• Create a better agriculture system
for an rural growth
• Protect and conserve coastal
areas by reducing marine
pollution
• Limit the sewage system from
ending in the sea.
5
6
Initiative scope Goal Current status Recommendations
12. • Government of Lebanon should prioritize the challenges and have a national
consensus leading to creating opportunities in the future
• Promote political stability and engage in institutional reform and development
• Government, private sector, civil society and the citizens should have a shared
responsibility to make a difference and have a better sustainably developed country
Next steps
