The network of scientists
MedECC (Mediterranean Experts on Climate and environmental Change) is an open and independent network of scientists founded in 2015. MedECC builds on a community of scientific experts willing to provide their expertise on a voluntary basis. This network of experts assesses the best available scientific knowledge on climate and environmental change and the associated risks in the Mediterranean Basin in order to make these results accessible to decision-makers, stakeholders and citizens. MedECC’s work is fully oriented towards the highest possible scientific standards, with participation of experts from all involved regions and required scientific disciplines. It is inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which aims at providing the world with an objective, scientific view of climate change and its impacts.
Science-policy interface
Appropriate interactions between MedECC and decision-makers and stakeholders are developed, through a relevant science-policy interface built mainly on a close collaboration with Plan Bleu – Regional Activity Center of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) and the Union for the Mediterranean. Since 2018, Plan Bleu has hosted the Scientific Secretariat of MedECC in the frame of a partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). MedECC is supported by numerous institutions. It is coordinated by three scientific coordinators, as well as by the Steering Committee.
Key publications
The First Mediterranean Assessment Report (MAR1), published in November 2020, presents the current situation and the future risks related to the impacts of environmental changes on the Mediterranean Basin. This report is the result of an immense collaboration in which 190 scientists from 25 countries participated on a voluntary basis.
The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of MAR1, also released in 2020, highlights the key messages of this report. In order to facilitate the dissemination of this project across the Mediterranean Basin, the summary is available in several languages: French, English, Spanish, Catalan, Arabic, Turkish and Greek.
In November 2020, MedECC also published an infographic that summarizes the risks and impacts associated with environmental change in the Mediterranean Basin. It is currently available in three languages: French, English and Turkish.
Political recognition and distinctions
During the 2nd UfM Ministerial Conference on Environment and Climate Action held in October 2021 in Cairo (Egypt), the 42 ministers recognized, in their declaration, the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of MAR1 as an important contribution of the scientific community to future climate and environmental actions in the Mediterranean region.
During the 22nd meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention COP22 held in December 2021 in Antalya (Turkey), the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of MAR1 was endorsed by the Contracting Parties.
MedECC received on December 9, 2021 in Lisbon the North-South Prize 2020 of the Council of Europe for “its efforts to address climate change and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean and in particular by drafting the first-ever scientific assessment on climate and environmental changes impacts in the Mediterranean Basin”.