Climate Change

In alignment with its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, An-Najah National University actively addresses the challenges of climate change through education, research, and community engagement. The University measures and promotes the use of low-carbon energy across its campuses, and implements local educational programs and awareness campaigns that highlight the risks, impacts, and mitigation strategies related to climate change.

Moreover, An-Najah University collaborates with governmental and non-governmental bodies in cooperative planning for climate-related disasters, including those that may cause population displacement. The University also contributes to local and regional efforts in early warning, risk monitoring, and climate adaptation strategies, aiming to enhance community resilience and support evidence-based policymaking for sustainable development.

An-Najah National University Role in Climate Change Disaster Planning and Early Warning

An-Najah National University (ANNU) actively participates as an institutional body in cooperative planning for climate change disasters and in supporting local and national authorities with early warning and monitoring systems. As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, the University integrates research, education, and community engagement to develop risk reduction strategies and strengthen resilience.

1. Cooperative Planning for Climate Change Disasters

ANNU participates in cooperative planning for climate-related disasters, including potential displacement of people within Palestine and across borders. The University collaborates with government agencies, international partners, and local stakeholders to:

• Develop national and regional risk reduction strategies.

• Conduct workshops and training programs for policymakers, emergency responders, and community leaders.

• Provide scientific and technical expertise for hazard assessment, risk mapping, and scenario planning.

These efforts are coordinated through the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center (UPDRRC), which serves as a hub for research, monitoring, and policy support.

Concrete examples of collaborative activities:

• ANNU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Disaster Risk Management, formalizing cooperation and strategic coordination with government authorities.

• The University participated in a workshop with the Palestinian Disaster Risk Management Center (PALDRM) to develop a national strategy and media plan for risk reduction.

2. Supporting Government in Early Warning and Monitoring

ANNU provides data, analysis, and technical support to local and regional authorities to strengthen early warning systems for climate-related hazards. Key activities include:

• Monitoring environmental and climate indicators through campus and field-based data collection.

• Sharing risk assessment reports and recommendations with government agencies.

• Organizing workshops and public awareness campaigns to improve community preparedness and resilience.

Through these initiatives, ANNU demonstrates a proactive institutional commitment to climate disaster preparedness, combining research, education, and practical collaboration with government bodies to enhance national resilience and reduce climate risks.

University-Government Collaborative Projects on Disaster Risk Reduction

ANNU implements several collaborative projects with government and international partners to translate its disaster risk research and planning into practical interventions.

1. SASPARM Project – Support Action for Strengthening Palestinian-administered Areas Capabilities for Seismic Risk Mitigation

• Description: Funded by the European Union and implemented by ANNU through the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center, this project enhances the capacities of Palestinian-administered areas in mitigating earthquake and related disaster risks. Activities include engineer training, workshops, development of risk monitoring tools, and collaboration with international partners.

• Link/Reference: SASPARM2 – An-Najah University

2. Disaster Risk Mitigation in Palestine Project

• Description: Launched as part of ANNU’s initiatives in disaster risk management in Palestine, this project involved representatives from the UN system and highlights the University’s collaboration with official authorities in disaster planning and risk reduction.

• Link/Reference: An-Najah University launches disaster risk mitigation project

3. Gaza Risk Reduction and Mitigation (GRRAM) Project

• Description: An operational project in Gaza implemented in partnership with international organizations, supporting the design and execution of disaster risk management initiatives in complex emergency contexts, with ANNU as one of the key partners.

• Link/Reference: GRRAM Project – Elrha

4. SAGE Centre: Sustainable Adaptation to Global Change in the Middle East

• Description: The SAGE Centre, based at ANNU in partnership with the University of Tübingen and other institutions, is a regional hub dedicated to building scientific capacity and providing evidence-based solutions for climate change adaptation in the Middle East. Its activities include:

  • Collecting and analyzing climate change impact data (extreme weather, droughts, hydrology changes) to support early warning and monitoring systems.

  • Developing adaptive strategies for natural-resource management under changing environmental conditions, reducing vulnerability to disasters and enhancing resilience.

  • Engaging stakeholders (governments, communities, land-use planners) to co-design solutions in high-risk, resource-scarce environments, supporting cooperative planning for climate-related hazards and potential displacement.

• Link/Reference: SAGE Centre