The Mediterranean is one of the global hotspots facing climate change with particularly pronounced impacts in the South and East of the basin, which exacerbate economic, social and environmental imbalances. The entry into force of the Paris Agreement on Climate has marked a significant step in the fight against these phenomena but poses a double challenge: the implementation of commitments, and the increasing of the ambition level which is not up to the objectives set.

This report analyses the realities of climate change in the Mediterranean basin with up-to-date information and data, and describes some of the main initiatives and actions implemented at regional level to face this issue. The Mediterranean is one of our planet’s “hotspots” regarding climate change, with impacts already particularly sensitive in countries of the South and East shores. The enhanced mobilisation of all stakeholders, Parties of the UNFCCC but also non-State actors and subnational governments, shows a raising awareness on the climate issue.

However, the ambition attached with collective and individual commitments is unanimously recognized as insufficient with regards to the realities and challenges to which we are confronted. The implementation and action also remain too scarce, sporadic and fragmented. The Mediterranean is not an exception and more than ever there is a need for setting up a common agenda for action, especially as the pace of international negotiations is too slow to reflect on the speed with which changes and alterations take place.