Peace

Syrbanism - Introducing Climate Justice in Early Recovery in Syria

The MENA region is an area extremely vulnerable to climate change and the resulting rise in temperatures and changes in rainfall. This project aims to integrate climate-consciousness and environmental justice into early recovery programs in Syria.

About the project

The MENA region is extremely vulnerable to climate change and resulting rises in temperatures and changes in rainfall. We support Syrbanism as a women-led and Syrian-led organization which aims to integrate climate-consciousness and environmental justice into the early recovery programs in Syria. Climate change has been one of the main drivers of the Syrian Civil War, and it continues to severely impact Syria. Therefore, it is crucial for Early Recovery to take into account the impact of climate change on reconstruction and social cohesion. Syrbanism aims to compile a handbook based on interviews, workshops, and research by the organization itself as well as its partners. The handbook will offer recommendations on how stakeholders can implement principles such as community participation and equitable access to resources in the context of climate change in recovery efforts.

Syria and the broader MENA region are increasingly facing the consequences of climate change. Especially communities already affected by the consequences of the conflict in Syria, like internally displaced persons, are vulnerable to prolonged droughts, floods, and a general rise in temperatures.
At the same time, the war has had a heavy impact on physical infrastructure and housing.
These combined challenges from climate change and the civil war manifest themselves in the lack of access to safe drinking water and food insecurity. These issues need to be jointly addressed in the upcoming recovery process in order to make Syrians resilient to further climate change.

The aim of the project is to bring experts regarding climate justice and early recovery together and develop strategies on how environmental and social challenges can be addressed in the Syrian recovery process. This serves the broader goal of creating sustainable development and strengthening the resilience of communities that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
In the process, issues of human rights, equitable access to resources and community participation in the recovery efforts are explored.
The results of this deliberation process will be outlined in a practical guide providing case studies and policy recommendations concerning the challenges and opportunities the post-conflict environment in Syria brings for climate-sensitive policies.

The aims of the project will be achieved through research, in working groups and by drawing on the expertise of Syrbanism and the connections to the network of Young Syrian Urbanists. The project team organizes dialogues for young professionals and activists, workshops and interviews with experts, stakeholders, and communities. With these activities Syrbanism ensures that the voices of communities affected the most by climate change are heard and their in-depth knowledge can be implemented in future recovery projects.
The results will be discussed in dialogue sessions with key stakeholders in Syria in order to draw attention to the importance of climate justice and integrate their experiences.
The project is accompanied by social media coverage to raise general awareness for climate justice and early recovery.

The project is organized by Syrbanism. Syrbanism was founded in 2017 and is a Berlin-based and Syrian-led organization dedicated to a just and inclusive reconstruction of urban spaces in Syria.