WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

LEBANON

Due to the recent turmoil, Lebanon has limited research activities. Research on atmospheric Ozone and UV radiation are even more limited since appropriate facilities are still not existing. However, the Ministry of Environment together with the National Council of Scientific Research (NCSR) and the Lebanese Association for Energy Control (ALME), have conducted theoretical studies based on data available in the international Scientific Community. Moreover, those institutions joined the National Working Committee on ODS which developed Lebanon country programme in order to phase out the Ozone Depleting Substances in Lebanon.

The financing of the Country Programme by the Multilateral Fund after its adoption by the Executive Committee of the Montreal Protocol will help in the establishment of an OzoneOffice within the Ministry of Environment. This office will be active in identification of ODS users, in order to help them develop projects aimed at the use of alternative technologies. It will also help the Government in the determination of taxation levels and will prepare the banning criteria according to the Action Plan. Moreover, this office will conduct a large campaign to raise public awareness on ODS related problems.

In parallel, the Government will introduce the adequate regulations during the transition period. The following measures will be proposed:

- by January 1996, ban on imports of ODS containing equipment,
- by January 1996, ban on imports of all ODS except those currently used,
- when the industries are converted, ban on CFC in the aerosol, foam and refrigeration units production industries,
- creation of a system of incentives for reduction, recovery and recycling.

The Lebanese Scientific Community and the Government of Lebanon are highly interested in establishing a monitoring station of UV radiation and Ozone concentration in the lower atmosphere in Lebanon which could be useful to the whole area. The existence of a well structured Scientific Community within the NCSR (National Council for Scientific Research) will make this program an immediate success and will enable to maintain it on the long term. This monitoring station will allow researchers to have relevant and reliable data and statistics on radiation and atmospheric Ozone in the Near East area.

Moreover, the Ministry of Environment is planning an extensive plan of studies and research on air pollution. Mobile stations will allow the monitoring of air pollution in different areas of the country in order to introduce the adequate regulations to reduce gas emissions and pollutants in ambient air. The material acquired will be financed by the Ministry of Environment, and will be bought from international well known manufacturers in Europe according to international standards. The establishment of a monitoring station would easily fit in this program and will even complete it.

Finally, it is of critical importance that the Country Programme of Lebanon developed jointly with UNEP should be adopted by the Multilateral Fund since Lebanon, during this delicate period of reconstruction, has very limited means and resources to pursue alone the phase out of ODS and participate efficiently to international related efforts.