Improving the capacity of Gaza to address climate change

Focus areas: Mitigation; Adaptation
Location: Gaza, Palestinian Authority
Established: 1 October 2011The activity focuses on improving the capacity of Gaza civil society in order to address climate change. It provides training opportunities to reduce the amount of solid waste that is burned to heat water, and encourage the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels. Furthermore, replanting hundreds of donums with citrus and fruits trees and use of water conservation methods like drip irrigation.

Mitigation / Adaptation

The activity has aimed to build resilience in the community by raising awareness about climate change issues. Some of the results achieved include:
- Increase in the use of drip irrigation systems by farmers as a water conservation tool;
- Community members are reducing the amount of waste that is burned, and 10 tons of plastic materials have been recycled;
- Civil society organizations in Gaza are now implementing lands rehabilitation programs as part of their core activities.

Social and environmental benefits

The community has been engaged in all stages of the activity including the design and implementation which enhanced community, children and youth participation. Community members have led several campaigns to increase awareness on the importance of mitigate climate change by having environment friendly practices such as reducing.

Potential for scaling-up and replication

The activity has potential for scaling up and replication to additional communities, especially in using solar energy units as a source of energy instead of burning waste.