For over three decades, Lebanon has grappled with severe environmental violations, a situation that has notably worsened in the past ten years. Amidst rampant corruption and the exploitation of the country’s resources, the environment has emerged as the newfound victim. The ruling establishment's mismanagement of billions of dollars in donations has largely gone unchecked, exacerbating the accountability gap and undermining trust in the efficient and transparent use of funds. This has led to the reinforcement of clientelism, operation with impunity, and the formulation of misaligned policies. Man-made environmental degradation due to resource mismanagement, severely impacts ecosystems and human life, undermining citizens' rights to a life of dignity, and putting the survival of communities at great risk.
WWTP White Paper
Where we operate
In response to the Lebanese context, following parliamentary elections in 2022, SEID established the Environmental Justice Unit (EJU) in collaboration with Dr. Najat Aoun Saliba, a globally renowned scientist, and the first female environmentalist to serve in the Lebanese Parliament. Dr. Saliba brings over two decades of scholarly research and activism centered around environmental remediation efforts in Lebanon. Her expertise, passion, and dedication take environmental advocacy to another level. The EJU is Co-Directed by Mr Choukri Haddad, General Secretary of SEID, President of the Environmental Commission at the Beirut Bar Association (BBA), and rapporteur for the BBA’s Public Prosecution Office for the Beirut Port explosion. Me. Haddad’s legal environmental expertise and long years of experience in litigation has given him exceptional abilities in navigating the Lebanese court system efficiently and effectively. Together with Mr. Rashad Rafeh, the founder and Executive Director of SEID, a human rights and democratization governance expert, and long-standing civic political activist with years of experience in policy design, strategic communication, and grassroots campaigning.
What we do
The EJU is dedicated to responding to environmental violations nationwide and holding responsible parties accountable. It is a commitment to grassroots engagement and the development of tailored policies that directly respond to the needs of the people. It stands on three main pillars: a) community engagement to advocate for the right to environmental justice, b) research and development of community-centered policies, and c) pursuit of legal avenues to halt violations and hold parties accountable.
Mission
Our mission is to promote environmental justice and sustainability in Lebanon by advocating for transparency, accountability, and collaboration to address decades of environmental violations. Through legal reforms, strengthened governance, and community empowerment, we aim to protect ecosystems, and human health, and ensure a life of dignity for all.
Vision
At EJU, we envision a future where community needs, accountability, and stakeholder collaboration guides decision-making, ensuring the well-being of ecosystems and communities alike.
output
Over the past year, the EJU’s endeavors have resulted in the handling of 72 environmental cases, with 950 follow-ups, including ministerial and court follow-ups, and the submission of 48 letters to relevant ministries and government bodies. Additionally, it has conducted 28 official inquiries and proposed 9 legislative amendments, making a significant contribution to environmental governance.
How it works
The Environmental Justice Unit operates through an integrated and systematic process flow designed to uphold environmental regulations effectively. It begins with community members who are vigilant and proactive, identifying and reporting environmental concerns. These reports trigger consultations with technical and legal experts to assess the situation thoroughly. In parallel, the framework mandates a careful identification of any gaps or shortcomings in current practices and policies. A key feature of this framework is the employment of scientific evidence to substantiate community claims, ensuring that environmental advocacy is grounded in robust research. Finally, MPs play a crucial role by acting as advocates to amplify the voices and needs of the community, pushing for the enactment or reform of environmental laws and policies that reflect these needs. This framework ensures that environmental governance is participatory, evidence-based, and aligned with the legislative power to facilitate meaningful change. The EJU suggested implementation framework is schematically organized as shown in Figure 1.
This EJU’s framework introduces a distinctive unit aimed at bolstering accountability and improving governance concerning essential life needs (Table 1). Serving as an innovative conduit, it integrates evidence-based and scientific methodologies to inform and amend relevant laws, fostering a sustainable and participatory environmental governance model. Through community participation, supported by legal mechanisms and empowered by proactive MP-led advocacy championing their concerns at the highest levels of authority, the EJU framework strives to cultivate an ecosystem where individuals feel empowered as active contributors to environmental governance. By effectively bridging community insights with scientific evidence and legislative action, the framework endeavors to establish a more accountable, responsive, and sustainable approach to environmental management. Appendix I illustrates the process and steps involved in pursuing justice for an environmental violation reported to the Environmental Justice Unit (EJU).
Table 1. The innovative and unique process of the Environmental Justice Unit revolving on community empowerment
Locally Needed and Globally Relevant
The creation of a collaborative framework that integrates a top-down and bottom-up approaches with the participation of an MP, the environment commission at the local bar association, and a grassroots organization, all committed to environmental issues, has successfully mitigated environmental violations at the national level and facilitated the development of community-centered policies and legislation. This milestone represents a notable achievement in our ongoing journey and sets the stage for expanding this model to like-minded organizations and universities dedicated to community empowerment worldwide.
Success Stories
Damour seaside
In June 2023, illegal coastal construction in Damour, aimed at backfilling the beach and blocking public access, sparked outrage in the local community. The Environmental Justice Unit (EJU), led by Dr. Najat Saliba, joined forces with residents to organize protests, gaining widespread media attention. On June 12, legal action was taken by Dr. Saliba and Attorney Choucri Haddad, resulting in a court-ordered halt to the construction. Despite initial resistance, a court ruling in October 2023 mandated the removal of the violations and the restoration of the beach. Enforcement began in November, and the beach was returned to public access. The successful intervention was a direct result of the dedication and persistence of the EJU team, whose unwavering efforts ensured the protection of Damour’s coastline and set a precedent for future environmental cases.
falougha
In Falougha, on September 26, 2022, a violation involving an open dump of municipal solid waste in a pristine pine forest was reported. The reckless disposal of waste in this natural area posed serious environmental threats, including heightened wildfire risks, soil and groundwater contamination, and the spread of diseases through rodents and insects. The Environmental Justice Unit (EJU), led by Dr. Najat Saliba and Me Choukri Haddad, responded immediately by conducting a site visit to assess the extent of the damage. On October 4, 2022, official notice letters were sent to the Ministry of Environment (MoE), urging swift action to clear the waste and prevent further harm.
In response, the MoE contacted the Falougha municipality, which then removed much of the dumped waste. This case stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of MP Saliba, Attorney Haddad, and their team in addressing and resolving environmental violations, demonstrating their dedication to ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for the community.
Mayrouba
In Mayrouba, a major environmental violation involving illegal sand quarries and washers was reported on September 27, 2022. These unauthorized mining activities caused widespread deforestation, devastating forested mountain areas and leading to severe environmental degradation. Over 100,000 mature pine trees were lost, which not only disrupted local biodiversity but also contaminated critical water sources, including groundwater and natural springs. As a result, drinking water for the local community became polluted, and natural watercourses were altered, with deep, polluted ponds forming in the mining zones.
In response, the Environmental Justice Unit (EJU), led by Dr. Najat Saliba, took swift action. On October 6, 2022, the EJU, along with civil society groups like Save Mayrouba, conducted a site visit to assess the scale of the destruction. By November 18, 2022, the EJU had escalated the issue by sending formal notice letters to the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE), calling for immediate intervention to stop further environmental harm. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the EJU launched a sustained campaign, relentlessly pressuring public officials, law enforcement, and relevant stakeholders to enforce existing laws and halt the illegal mining activities.
Despite these efforts, including follow-up visits, illegal sand mining persisted. While the Ministry of Interior suspended quarry licenses and deployed security forces to shut down operations, enforcement proved difficult. Quarry operators repeatedly removed seals placed by law enforcement, allowing illegal extraction to continue. Although nighttime mining activities were reduced, they still presented an ongoing challenge.
The environmental damage caused by these activities is significant, but the EJU’s commitment remains unwavering. Continuous pressure on the Ministry of Interior and other ministries has successfully halted much of the large-scale land mining, yet the fight to end all violations continues. MP Saliba and the EJU team remain determined to protect and restore Mayrouba focusing on enforcing regulations and preventing further degradation. The battle is far from over, but their resolve to safeguard this precious area remains strong.
nahr el kalb
In the summers of 2023 and 2024, unauthorized encroachment on a UNESCO-listed archaeological site in Nahr el Kalb was reported. The illegal construction of a restaurant over the river, extending into the riverbeds, posed a serious threat to the area’s cultural and natural heritage, known for its ancient inscriptions and symbolic significance. The vibrations and loud music from the restaurant raised concerns about potential damage to the infrastructure of the monuments. Environmentalists, historians, and the local community voiced fears over the irreversible harm this could cause to the historically significant site.
The Environmental Justice Unit (EJU), led by Dr. Najat Saliba and Attorney Choukri Haddad, swiftly responded by sending formal notice letters to the Ministry of Environment (MoE), Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), Ministry of Culture (MoC), and the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM), demanding an immediate halt to the construction and the implementation of protective measures to safeguard the site. The EJU also conducted site visits, collaborating with local experts to document the damage and gather evidence of the violations. Media coverage helped to amplify the issue, raising public awareness and increasing pressure on the authorities.
Despite the EJU's efforts and repeated escalations, including calls for a thorough review of the construction licenses by the Ministry of Energy and Water, the restaurant managed to open and operate during the spring and summer seasons of 2023 and 2024. This was despite ongoing violations, including the failure to secure an environmental impact assessment approval.
The EJU continues to monitor the situation, pushing for legal accountability and advocating for the protection of Nahr el Kalb's cultural and environmental heritage. The fight to preserve this historic site is ongoing, as the EJU works tirelessly to prevent further damage and to enforce stronger protective measures.
