For Morocco's Ministry of the Environment, ECODIT has conducted an environmental assessment of Morocco's Northwestern region (Rabat-Tangiers axis) and Northern Central region (Fès, Sebou basin). ECODIT was the prime contractor for the Northwestern region and a subcontractor to a Moroccan firm for the Northern Central region. ECODIT and its partners have prepared an environmental profile of each region that identifies environmental priority issues. Based on this environmental assessment, ECODIT helped formulate an environmental strategy for each region and prepare an environmental action plan to implement the strategy. ECODIT and its partners used participatory approach designed to involve all stakeholders early on in the study. We developed a Geographic Information System at the 1:250,000 scale that presents the data collected during the assessment by theme (population, water, air, waste, biodiversity, coastal zone). The GIS allows its users to identify potential landfill sites.
Regional Environmental Assessment report on the coastal zone of Lebanon
For Lebanon's Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and the World Bank, ECODIT and the French Institut d'Aménagement Urbain de la Région d'Ile de France (IAURIF) prepared a regional environmental assessment (REA) of the coastal zone of Lebanon. For this six-month study, ECODIT assembled a team of international and local specialists in land use, urban planning, coastal ecology, hydrology, water pollution, air pollution, laws and regulations, and environmental economics. ECODIT identified development scenarios, described the environment, predicted and evaluated the cumulative impacts of the scenarios, compared alternative scenarios, and prepared recommendations for a Coastal Zone Management Plan. ECODIT and IAURIF prepared a Geographic Information System for Lebanon's coastal zone at the 1:50,000 scale, with more detailed information for hot spots and sensitive areas (1:25,000 scale). ECODIT consulted with government agencies, NGOs, and industry groups throughout the project. ECODIT prepared a draft report and organized a full-day workshop in Beirut to discuss the draft report. Based on comments received during the workshop and in consultation with CDR and the World Bank, ECODIT prepared the final REA report on the coastal zone of Lebanon.
Environmental Emergency Response Contingency Plan for Palestine
PECDAR has contracted with ECODIT (CEP and ICF subcontractors) to develop environmental emergency response capabilities in the West Bank and Gaza. Funded through a World Bank/METAP grant, the Assignment consisted of three phases: I) national and regional contingency plan; II) institutional and capacity building plan; and III) equipment and training. In Phase I, the ECODIT Team assessed opportunities and made recommendations for a National and Regional Contingency Plan in Palestine. We met with over 60 key government and municipal agencies, NGOs, and private sector groups concerned with, or knowledgeable about, environmental emergency prevention and/or response. We also collected and reviewed available documents on transboundary pollution, illegal imports of hazardous waste, emergency response capabilities, industries and hazardous materials, licensing and inspection procedures, etc. In Phase II, the ECODIT Team outlined an institutional framework for emergency response in Palestine and described the functions and staffing requirements of MEnA's Emergency Response Unit. We also proposed a short-term procurement plan for basic emergency response equipment, described likely long-term equipment needs, and identified training needs in the area of hazardous materials emergency preparedness and response. Under Phase III, the ECODIT Team is currently implementing the short-term procurement plan through the targeted purchase of computer laptops, response equipment (respirators, suits, etc.) and air monitoring devices on behalf of Ministry of Environmental Affairs.
Socio-economic rehabilitation programme for South-Lebanon
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 With the French Institut d'Aménagement Urbain de la Région d'Ile de France (IAURIF) and Lebanon's TEAM International, ECODIT participated in the preparation of a post-conflict socio-economic rehabilitation program for South Lebanon, financed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the High Relief Committee (HRC). ECODIT conducted a rapid environmental assessment of the proposed program: we evaluated the potential environmental impacts and formulated environmental mitigation, monitoring and management measures to control, reduce or eliminate those impacts. ECODIT also worked on the water resource quantity and quality protection aspects of the programme. We identified several assets/opportunities and concerns/challenges for water resource management in South Lebanon. ECODIT proposed a 10-year vision and recommended a three-year plan for water resource management in South Lebanon.
Environmental Assessment of the Irrigation Development Project in Armenia
With financial support from the World Bank, the Government of Armenia contracted with ECODIT to perform the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the upcoming Irrigation Development Project (ISDP). The IDP aims at enhancing the sustainability of water resources and operation of irrigation and drainage systems. ECODIT conducted the Environmental Assessment of the three IDP components : (1) rehabilitation and improvement of irrigation and drainage systems, (2) conversion of pumped irrigation schemes to gravity irrigation, and (3) dam safety improvements. For each component, ECODIT identified potential positive and negative impacts during the construction phase and the operation and maintenance phase. We identified measures to mitigate or eliminate negative impacts. ECODIT also proposed an environmental monitoring and management plan to ensure the implementation of mitigation measures and strengthen local institutions.
Environmental Management Project in Morocco (Lot 1)
As part of the Environmental Management Project, ECODIT and URBAPLAN are charged with the task of strengthening the institutional and administrative capabilities, reinvigorating the National Environmental Council, and reinforcing the legal framework for environmental protection in Morocco. The Environmental Management Project is financed by a World Bank loan to the Kingdom of Morocco. ECODIT is working with URBAPLAN and the Ministry of Environment to establish regulatory and self-regulatory measures to reduce pollution and promote resource conservation, use of appropriate technologies, and increased public environmental awareness. ECODIT is also designing a long-term plan for institutional development and capacity-building through training, both in-country and overseas. After preparing an environmental code that provides a framework for environmental laws, ECODIT reviewed existing laws on hazardous materials and wastes and suggested changes to increase prevention. ECODIT also proposed a format for collective environmental protection agreements between industrial sectors and the government.
Feasibility study for the establishment of a Lebanese Environment and Development Observatory (LEDO)
For the Blue Plan and in the framework of its activities within the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), ECODIT prepared a feasibility study for establishing Lebanon's Environment and Development Observatory (LEDO). The study provided a detailed analysis on the major issues, trends, and priorities of the environment and development situation in Lebanon. It reviewed the existing information related to those issues and proposed the information system for LEDO's establishment. ECODIT analyzed the environment and development indicators to be monitored, including water, waste, and coastal zone indicators. ECODIT met with potential actors, partners, and users of the proposed LEDO and incorporated their views in the feasibility study. After analyzing the institutional, legal, and financial sustainability of several options/locations (e.g., Ministry of Environment, Central Administration for Statistics, an NGO, National Council for Scientific Research) for the Observatory, the study recommended hosting LEDO at the Ministry of Environment in the launching/preparatory phase. We described in detail the criteria required to ensure LEDO's success, including the formation of a Steering Committee and signing of Interagency Memoranda of Understanding to guarantee a sense of ownership and participation from all key stakeholders. Finally, it described LEDO's activities for the preparatory phase, including proposing LEDO's organizational and financial needs.
Policy formulation for sustainable industrial development and environmental management in Lebanon
As part of a UNIDO team assisting the Government of Lebanon in policy formulation for sustainable industrial development, ECODIT was responsible for evaluating: (1) the national status on environmental regulations and standards; (2) the awareness, particularly in small and medium-scale enterprises, of existing environmental regulations; and (3) the status of cleaner production and industrial waste (solid and liquid) management, including a preliminary assessment of existing and planned capacity-building programs, government incentives, and activities at enterprise-level. In addition, ECODIT prepared an action plan for capacity-building in the field of cleaner production and conducted a one-day awareness seminar on cleaner production for policy-makers and industrial managers.
Lebanon environmental policy assessment
For the USAID, ECODIT prepared an environmental policy assessment that identified a range of short, medium, and long-term policy options for USAID in Lebanon for the period 1997-2002. ECODIT organized two public consultation workshops with representatives from the Lebanese Government, USAID, multilateral donors, the private sector, and NGOs. Based on interviews with public and private sector representatives and the two participatory workshops, the ECODIT team identified and evaluated environmental issues and pertinent policy reform and institutional strengthening options in five key sectors/media: (1) wastes and chemicals, (2) land, (3) water, (4) coastal zone, and (5) air. The report proposed six activities for USAID/Lebanon's consideration: (1) Develop and implement a landmark, sustained environmental awareness campaign and series of training seminars; (2) Promote low-cost, environmentally-sound waste disposal in rural areas; (3) Encourage industrial pollution control and prevention; (4) Develop program for air pollution abatement in urban areas; (5) Promote integrated water resource management practices; and (6) Design and begin implementing long-term, targeted ecosystem restoration programs.
Lebanon 2001 State of the Environment Report
ECODIT assisted the Ministry of Environment in updating the Lebanon State of the Environment Report. The 2001 SOER uses a "dual framework" methodology to describe and analyze environment-development linkages in Lebanon. It describes the state of different environmental media (water, air, biodiversity, and soil/land) and the key linkages between them and various socio-economic development sectors (population, agriculture, industry, construction, transport, tourism and recreation, and energy). During the course of the preparation for the 2001 SOER, ECODIT met with more than 60 professionals and key stakeholders and reviewed about 150 new reports and references to provide the most up-do-date assessment of the state of the environment in Lebanon. The 2001 SOER (240 pages) was compiled in English and is being published in Arabic also. It is available on the internet.
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