Morocco’s climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation—a stocktake

Morocco’s climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation—a stocktake

17 January 2024 | Victor Ongoma, Fatima Driouech, Youssef Brouziyne, Tarik Chfadi, Terence Epule Epule, Meryem Tanarhte, Abdelghani Chehbouni
This chapter provides a critical review of Morocco's efforts to address climate change, focusing on the impacts, adaptation, and mitigation measures. The review covers literature published between 1951 and early 2022, primarily in the sectors of water, energy, and agriculture. Key findings include: 1. **Climate Change Impacts**: Climate change poses significant threats to food security, particularly for small-scale farmers in Morocco. Extreme weather events and water scarcity are major concerns. 2. **Adaptation Measures**: The country has implemented insurance schemes for drought and tree crops to enhance agricultural resilience. The water sector has prioritized seawater desalination and water-saving programs to combat water shortages. 3. **Mitigation Efforts**: Morocco has enforced national environmental and sustainable development policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45.5% by 2030. Significant investments in wind energy and the decarbonization of the transport sector through rail networks are notable initiatives. 4. **Environmental Diplomacy**: Morocco's involvement in environmental diplomacy demonstrates its commitment to local, regional, and international environmental conservation efforts. 5. **Challenges and Opportunities**: Despite progress, issues such as the mainstreaming of gender and youth in development activities remain. Other developing nations can learn from Morocco's successful strategies in addressing climate change. The review highlights Morocco's leadership in climate action, particularly in GHG emissions, energy efficiency, and climate policy, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges and the need for continued efforts to ensure sustainable development.This chapter provides a critical review of Morocco's efforts to address climate change, focusing on the impacts, adaptation, and mitigation measures. The review covers literature published between 1951 and early 2022, primarily in the sectors of water, energy, and agriculture. Key findings include: 1. **Climate Change Impacts**: Climate change poses significant threats to food security, particularly for small-scale farmers in Morocco. Extreme weather events and water scarcity are major concerns. 2. **Adaptation Measures**: The country has implemented insurance schemes for drought and tree crops to enhance agricultural resilience. The water sector has prioritized seawater desalination and water-saving programs to combat water shortages. 3. **Mitigation Efforts**: Morocco has enforced national environmental and sustainable development policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45.5% by 2030. Significant investments in wind energy and the decarbonization of the transport sector through rail networks are notable initiatives. 4. **Environmental Diplomacy**: Morocco's involvement in environmental diplomacy demonstrates its commitment to local, regional, and international environmental conservation efforts. 5. **Challenges and Opportunities**: Despite progress, issues such as the mainstreaming of gender and youth in development activities remain. Other developing nations can learn from Morocco's successful strategies in addressing climate change. The review highlights Morocco's leadership in climate action, particularly in GHG emissions, energy efficiency, and climate policy, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges and the need for continued efforts to ensure sustainable development.
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