Main points
- Climate adaptation projects are likely to expand across the Middle East as the impact of climate change intensifies. However, the effectiveness of such projects are undermined by governance weaknesses.
- Evidence from Iraq and Lebanon show how political interests, patronage networks, and weak oversight can distort project selection, implementation, and procurement, often at the expense of climate vulnerable populations.
- Strengthening corruption risk assessments, independent monitoring, community participation, and protections for whistleblowers can assist in building long-term climate resilience.
