What is PEEB Med? How does it address the issues discussed at the World Urban Forum?
Cities across the Mediterranean are experiencing rapid growth, which is driving both economic development and a significant rise in energy consumption in the building sector. Driven by expanding urban populations and extreme heat events, cooling demand in buildings across the MENA region is anticipated to rise by 50% by 2040 according to IEA estimates (IEA, 2023).
From 1980 to 2022, the average temperature in the Mediterranean rose by 0.46°C per decade, outpacing the global average by 20% and further heightening the need for effective cooling solutions. This sustained warming trend, coupled with growing urbanization, risks overwhelming energy systems without intervention, potentially leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate impacts.
In response, PEEB Med’s mission is to support seven Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia) in transforming their building and construction sectors to be more resilient and energy-efficient. The program promotes sustainable building practices, passive design strategies that reduce reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems, lowers emissions and help communities adapt to rising temperatures and other climate impacts affecting lives in the region.
What is PEEB Med’s role in sustainable construction?
PEEB Med recognizes the critical role of the financial sector in advancing decarbonization and adaptation goals, particularly in the building and construction sectors, as outlined in the Chaillot Declaration. By redirecting capital flows towards sustainable construction, PEEB Med helps align national development pathways with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Witha €30 million grant from the European Union, PEEB Med combines technical assistance and investment grants to scale ambitious projects and drive long-term sector transformation.
Could you share an example of a project you’ve supported?
One recent project is the support to the renovation of four tourism and hospitality training centers in Sousse Nord, Monastir, Tozeur, and Ain Draham, in Tunisia. Despite strong demand, these schools face operational challenges including constrained budgets, outdated facilities, and fluctuating energy costs.
PEEB Med supports the renovation of these schools by providing a technical assistance that will focus on energy efficiency, thermal comfort and climate resilience. More specifically, it includes an energy audit, tailored recommendations for energy-efficient upgrades, proposals for autonomous energy production systems, and innovative solutions for sustainable cooling and comfort within diverse climate conditions.
We also provide investment grants. A project, soon to be launched under PEEB Med, should allow a hospital to reduce its energy consumption by 57% thanks to funding to cover the additional cost of energy efficiency measures. Stay tuned for more details!
