Lebanon's long recovery will need to build in ESG concerns

Rising from generations of socio-political instability

The recent deadly blast at the port in Beirut came at a time when Lebanon's economy and sovereign bonds were already extremely bleak, following years of mismanagement, economic decline and neglect of ESG risks.

Financial pledges from a number of nations will bring economic aid to the country. But these will be a sticking plaster solution unless the nation can right its path and put macroeconomic stability and ESG factors front and centre in its recovery plan. Lebanon's unique social structure Lebanon's economy has long been weighed down by a number of complex social factors. A small nation of 6.8 million, it is a temporary home to more than 1.5 million refugees, the vast majority of whom are from neighbouring Syria. No country in the world hosts more refugees per capita. The opportunity in...