Lebanon boasts a long and beautiful coastline spanning 225 km, but it is increasingly vulnerable to ocean storms and long-term sea level rise. Sea level rise is predicted to rise 30-60 cm in 30 years, or two mm per year, causing increased seawater intrusion, coastal flooding and inundation, and coastal erosion altering coastal ecosystems.
In Kharayeb, a village on the south coast, communities have been working hard to change this situation, coming together to build resilience and protect their beaches and livelihoods.
A community-led initiative for coastal protection
Launched in 2017 as a Facebook platform for marine biologists, Diaries of the Ocean has since evolved into a women-led volunteer initiative comprising marine biologists, environmental scientists, activists, entrepreneurs and artists. In partnership with the Kharayeb community and with support from the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA), the group is putting nature-based solutions into action along Lebanon’s southern coast.
Their work includes constructing wooden fences and restoring native vegetation to protect and stabilize coastal sand dunes. These interventions serve a dual purpose: the fences and plants stabilize the dunes, while the dunes provide a natural defence – shielding the beach, local businesses such as kiosks, and inland farmland from coastal storms and erosion. Without such protections, rising seas and extreme weather could cause significant damage to the shoreline and local economic stability.
Community members work together on the sand dunes of Kharayeb. Photo: Diaries of the Ocean
Local involvement and environmental stewardship
To support the dune restoration, Hussein el Dorr and other community members have collected over 3,000 seeds from native plant species. These are currently being germinated in a specialized nursery and will later be transplanted into the dunes to enhance their natural resilience.
“It is one of the few remaining public sandy beaches where visitors are coming from all over the country. It is a major source of income for me and other kiosk owners during the summer season and part of the fall season when the weather is still acceptable.” – Hussein el Dorr, a kiosk owner in Kharayeb
Left: Ali Matar Zahrani, from the Municipality Union, and Hassan el Dorr, Kiosk owner of Kharayeb Municipality. Photo: Diaries of the Ocean. Right: Kiosk owner Hussein el Dorr works on the beach with Jane Abou Rjaily, from Diaries of the Ocean, and herpetologist Rami Khashab. Photo: Diaries of the Ocean
As the plants have grown, community members have continued to reinforce the wooden fences with reclaimed wood. To date, 520 metres of fencing have been completed out of a 600-metre target.
Innovative mapping for ecosystem monitoring
As part of the pilot phase, the initiative is using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to track changes along the coastline. These maps integrate topographic data with sand accumulation trends, helping to identify the most strategic locations for intervention. The GIS analysis is conducted with expert support and provides a data-driven approach for monitoring coastal evolution and planning future restoration efforts.
“It is a first of its kind in Lebanon. We are in collaboration with [Kharayeb] municipality and the locals. They know about the dynamics of the sea and have local knowledge about the beach. We give training to locals about climate change, then they will be doing beach profiling and exposing the erosion on the beach. They will help to show the benefits of the work and help us to apply this technology on other southern coasts of Lebanon.” – Agness Nohra, project coordinator at Diaries of the Ocean
Monthly data collection is helping track the beach’s evolution, providing a replicable model for future ecosystem restoration efforts across Lebanon. The restoration also has significant ecological benefits, particularly for marine biodiversity.
Marine biodiversity and climate change training session. Photo: Diaries of the Ocean
Ecological benefits and potential for eco-tourism
Healthy dune ecosystems are more than a natural barrier; they also serve as vital nesting grounds for sea turtles. In Kharayeb, monitoring has documented eight turtle nesting attempts, including one confirmed nest, which was protected with wire mesh. To prevent hatchlings from becoming disoriented, local teams covered beach lights with red plastic —a simple, cost-effective conservation solution. As inland forest fires – driven by extreme heat – pose increasing threats to Lebanon’s growing eco-tourism sector, cooler coastal areas like Kharayeb offer a promising alternative. Turtle nesting sites and restored dunes could help offset climate-related losses, which are projected to reduce employment by around 2 percent in sectors such as agriculture, transport, and trade, and by up to 13 percent in accommodation services.
To support this potential, Diaries of the Ocean has delivered training workshops for local kiosk operators on coastal dune ecosystems and sea turtle conservation. Two sessions, attended by 35 participants (including seven women), prepared community members to act as eco-guides, potentially attracting both returning and new tourists.
Meanwhile, ongoing monthly mapping in Kharayeb captures the beaches’ evolution. This growing dataset will help to launch future initiatives in Lebanon, by providing a proven model for ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
Diaries of the Ocean capacity building with locals on nesting turtles. Photo: Diaries of the Ocean
Resilience amid broader challenges
Tourism in southern Lebanon has faced disruptions due to regional instability, delaying some project activities. Nevertheless, community engagement in Kharayeb remains strong.
“Our hope is that life can get back to normal, so that we can benefit from the opportunities created.” – Hussein el Dorr
Despite these challenges, community efforts continue, driven by the urgency of climate change. Through local leadership and sustained environmental stewardship, Kharayeb’s coastal restoration stands as a model for resilience, protecting both biodiversity and livelihoods for the future. A reminder of what’s possible when people and nature work as one.
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Supported by financial contributions from the Adaptation Fund and the European Union, the UNDP-AFCIA programme has awarded 44 micro and small grants to locally led organizations across 33 countries worldwide, accelerating their innovative solutions to build resilience in the most vulnerable communities.
UNDP-AFCIA is one of two featured programmes under the Adaptation Innovation Marketplace (AIM), a multi-stakeholder strategic platform that promotes scaled-up adaptation at the local level.
