Libyan Sustainable Development Project May Be World's Largest

11 September 2007 - 12:00pm

What may be the world's largest sustainable development project is currently being planned in Libya. The project aims to boost the country's ecotourism along its Mediterranean coast and to protect its many archaeological sites.

"The massive project includes a world class sustainable resort and spa, extensive wind and solar on the coast and desert area, growth of biofuel crops, closed loop water systems, sustainable transportation, housing, and the creation of a huge national ecological parkland that includes protection of the Mediterranean ocean and incorporates Tripoli and other cities. The 5,500 square kilometer development, called Green Mountain, covers an area that is home to diverse animal and plant species and historic and archaeologically rich sites."

"The Green Mountain project is considered the world’s first regional-scale conservation and development project responding to the challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. The Green Mountain region which covers some 5,500 sq kilometers. This area is described by the World Wildlife Fund as ”˜one of the 10 last paradises of the Mediterranean’. The region is rich in prehistoric, Greek, Roman and Islamic antiquity and is one of the world’s most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites."

Source: Environmental News Network, September 10, 2007
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Even if the report overestimates the costs by a factor of two and underestimates the tax-benefit by a similar amount, the conclusion would be pretty much the same: destination resorts cost local government and taxpayers money.