Climate-Fragility Risk Brief: Libya
Publisher: Climate Security Expert Network
Author(s): Matthew Brubacher
Date: 2021
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Economic Recovery, Extractive Resources, Governance, Renewable Resources
Countries: Libya
Heavily reliant on fossil fuel exports for revenue, Libya has one of the world’s highest exposures to fluctuations in global oil prices. This creates particular challenges as the prospect of a global clean energy transition gathers momentum. Moreover, recurring conflicts and the resulting institutional fragmentation have made Libya ill-equipped to respond to the resulting risks to its stability.
But peak oil is not the only long-term stability risk that climate change poses to Libya. The Climate-Fragility Risk Brief highlights that rising temperatures and dependence on fossil water threaten Libya’s water and energy security, and consequently its water-intensive agricultural sector.
Fortunately, provided there is sufficient political will, these issues can be addressed even while peace in Libya remains fragile.