Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: Libya

Written by

Thor Olav Iversen

Senior Researcher

Katongo Seyuba

Research assistant, SIPRI

Nadine Andersen

Research Assistant, SIPRI

Ingvild Brox Brodtkorb

Junior Research Fellow

Ed.

Cedric H. de Coning

Research Professor

Florian Krampe

Senior Researcher, SIPRI

Summary:

Libya is exposed to a number of climate hazards. In September 2023,
Storm Daniel caused severe rainfall and floods, triggering the collapse
of two ageing dams in eastern Libya. This left a trail of destruction in the
city of Derna and its surrounding areas. Libya is also one of the driest
and most water-stressed countries in the world; it is prone to drought
and less than two per cent of the country receives enough rain to
sustain agriculture. Climate stressors are in turn aggravated by political
turmoil, a divided government, protracted conflict and the presence
of a plethora of armed groups. These factors, which have contributed
to mismanagement, corruption and a lack of good governance, affect
efforts to address climate-related risks, including those that may
influence peace and security dynamics.

Published year: 2024
Publisher: NUPI & SIPRI
Page count: 4
Language: English