Knowledge Products

This report is written under the GEF/UN Environment “Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): Enhancing Environmental Security” (2019-2025) and reflects the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders working towards the shared goal of improving environmental security in the Mediterranean region. This program is the first GEF programmatic multi-focal area initiative in the Mediterranean Sea, aimed at operationalizing actions that address transboundary environmental stresses, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance water security while improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations.  MedWaves, as one of the Regional Activity Centres established under the UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), plays a vital role in supporting the member countries of the Barcelona Convention. With a mandate to assist Contracting Parties in fulfilling their commitments under both the Barcelona and Stockholm Conventions, MedWaves focuses on promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, as well as fostering a circular economy to combat the generation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).  The MedProgramme builds upon the successful partnership between UNEP/MAP, the GEF, and the 22 contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention. It encompasses a series of interconnected components designed to move towards a healthy Mediterranean with productive and biologically diverse marine and coastal ecosystems. Under Component 1, MedWaves specifically engages in Child Project 1.1, which targets the reduction of pollution from harmful chemicals, including POPs and mercury, in Mediterranean hotspots.  The findings and recommendations in these reports are intended to inform and guide stakeholders in their efforts to enhance environmental security in the Mediterranean. This report has been written by an external consultant who was hired following public procurement. He has been in close contact with the MedWaves project manager for the MedProgramme.  However, it does not necessarily represent the views of all stakeholders involved in the MedProgramme and should be interpreted within the context of ongoing discussions and evolving research in the field of environmental management.