Nature Reserves
The country has set up reserves to preserve remarkable natural environments. Among these are the reserves of Ajloun, Wadi Rum, Shaumari, Wadi Mujib, Azraq Marshes, Dibbeen, Fifa, Qatar, Gulf of Aqaba, Yarmouk River, Jabal Mas'uda. The Dana Reserve, classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, protects four fragile and threatened ecosystems between the Dead Sea and the high plateau, including an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna. This protected area is however threatened by a copper mining project, a mineral whose demand is increasing (due to its growing use for electric cars for example). The mining activity would reduce part of the reserve's territory. The environmental impacts of such a project are the destruction of natural habitats, the fragmentation of environments and the generation of pollution, all factors that contribute to the erosion of biodiversity. The project also raises concerns among farmers, who fear a decrease in water resources as a result of the mine's operation. A protest movement has been launched via social networks.
Water supply, a central issue
The country's water availability (less than 200 m³ per year per capita, compared to 4,000 in France) places Jordan, according to a scale established by the World Health Organization, in the category considered the most critical, described as "water scarcity". The water shortage raises issues of drinking water supply, but also of food security. Naturally poorly endowed with water, the country is faced with factors that aggravate its water stress. Climate change is leading to a decrease in rainfall, more frequent and intense droughts, and an acceleration of soil erosion. The water needs of cities, where the majority of the population is concentrated, are increasing, in a context of sustained demographic growth and an influx of refugees. The cultivation of vegetables and cereals in the middle of the desert, through "carousel irrigation", with water pumped deep into the Wadi Rum aquifer - a non-renewable aquifer - leads to an overexploitation of the resource. It should be noted that this aquifer provides half of Amman's drinking water. Pesticide discharges from conventional agriculture, as well as the establishment of certain industries and waste storage near rivers, contribute to the pollution of sources. Finally, the development of dams and pumping stations in the region on the various rivers (Jordan, Yarmouk) has weakened the resource. The Dead Sea salt exploitation canal has contributed to the evaporation of the Dead Sea, which is now threatened with extinction due to the decrease in the flow of the Jordan River and the increase in the salinity of its waters. The poorest populations are the most exposed and vulnerable to this situation of water stress.
Projects for better access to water
Actions are implemented to improve water management. Network maintenance is a lever for preventing and treating water leaks. The reuse of treated domestic wastewater ("grey water" from sinks and washbasins) for watering private gardens is a solution that is tending to develop. It is a "low-tech" technique, accessible to poor populations, allowing the irrigation of plots. The method has been validated from a health point of view and is proving successful in terms of water saving. The project is currently being deployed in different territories and is accompanied by State aid to train the inhabitants in plumbing, but also in agriculture and business management. The deployment of this scheme has indeed been accompanied by the creation of businesses.
The project to connect the Dead Sea to the Red Sea via an underground pipeline to deliver desalinated water is currently resurfacing. Supported in particular by the World Bank and the French Development Agency, this "peace canal" project remains controversial, however, because of its financial cost and environmental impact. Other actions are also being considered in order to preserve water resources, such as limiting urbanization, which consumes a lot of water.Initiatives for biodiversity
One example is reforestation in urban areas. The operation, supported by an NGO and inspired by a Japanese method, has made it possible to recreate micro-forests rich in biodiversity in small areas (public parks or private gardens), through the planting of local species and a "free evolution" management of the natural space. The results of this ecological restoration are very positive, with the recolonization of the environment by various species of fauna and flora. However, they require actions to raise the awareness of the inhabitants to the preservation of these micro-forests.
Actions for the climate
Almost 400 religious buildings in Jordan are now powered by solar energy (photovoltaic panels). Solar power plants are also being set up in the country. The country's solar energy, which is one of the axes of its ecological transition, has led to an agreement in 2021 with Israel. In exchange for its solar energy, Israel will provide Jordan with water from its desalination plants.
Building food resilience
While water supply is a key element in developing resilient agriculture, other factors come into play. Farmers are implementing traditional techniques based on agro-ecological principles. This more environmentally friendly agriculture has also reduced the country's dependence on increasingly expensive imported synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In 2022, the country launched a five-year project to support more sustainable agriculture.
