Tunisia is situated in North Africa, covering an area of some 164,000 km2 and with a 1,300 km coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. The climate is particularly arid and variable. Tunisia is considered to be one of the countries most exposed to climate change in the Mediterranean. The main risks which it is likely to confront are temperature increases, reduced precipitation, rising sea levels and escalating extreme weather phenomena (floods and droughts). These risks are likely to result in major environmental and socio-economic vulnerability.

With some 385 m3 of renewable blue water resources available per year and per capita, Tunisia is already experiencing water scarcity. This situation is due to be exacerbated by climate change over the coming years, with the decrease in conventional water resources estimated at about 28 per cent by 2030. Following the expected rise in the sea level, losses through the salinization of coastal aquifers would account for about 50 per cent of the current resources of these aquifers by 2030.  The physical vulnerability of the Tunisian coastline to rising sea levels already has various direct and indirect socio-economic consequences.

Tunisia is aware of these challenges and has adopted a proactive policy of fighting climate change, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation.