“Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development” Seminars

Under the Project “Civil Society for Sustainable Development”, within AFKAR 3 Program, funded by the European Union and managed by the office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform Makhzoumi Foundation organized three seminars on “Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development” in collaboration with the Italian NGO Armadilla and ALMEE and the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development.

The first seminar took place on the 21^st of November, 2016, at Masabki Hotel – Chtaura, the second one on the 5^th of December, 2016 in Crystal Grand Kadri Hotel – Zahleh and the third on the 3^rd of February, 2017 in Hotel Kanaan – Baalbek. Mrs. Sallama Namani, introduced the project and its objectives and activities. The seminars addressed representatives of Municipalities, civil society organizations, schools and local stakeholders from the three regions of Bekaa (west, mid and north). Dr. Rita Najjar and Dr. Adel Mourtada led the seminars, during the plenary sessions whereby the following topics were discussed:

• Climate change challenges
• The importance of greater energy efficiency
• The transition from conventional towards alternative, renewable-energy sources, with emphasis on solar, wind and thermal energy, including their applications.

The participants were then divided into working groups, each group focusing on one of the following case studies:

1. An assessment of a central solar system project to feed a village and the identification of relevant indicators (economical, financial and environmental).
2. An assessment of an integrated thermal solar system project for electric power generation and water heating and the identification of relevant indicators (economical, financial and environmental)
3. An assessment of a wind turbines project to produce electricity and identification of relevant indicators (economical, financial and environmental).

Representatives of each group briefed afterwards the outcomes of the studies that they worked on and shared their info with the whole group.