Climate change in Morocco

Morocco's GHGs has increased significantly since the 1960s, with the nation’s emissions reaching 70.58 million metric tons in 2021.{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser |first2=Max |author2-link=Max Roser |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=2020-05-11 |title=CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/co2/country/morocco |journal=Our World in Data}} This trend complements the rising population in Morocco, as the emissions per capita have stayed relatively low and steady since the 1910s, staying below 2.0 metric tons per capita every year. For reference, per capita GHGs in the United States were 14.9 trillion metric tons in 2021. Morocco has ambitious plans for renewable energy adoption, particularly through solar energy installations. Some of the country's greenhouse gas emissions can be absorbed through its coastal ecosystems.{{Cite journal |last1=Melaku Canu |first1=Donata |last2=Ghermandi |first2=Andrea |last3=Nunes |first3=Paulo A. L. D. |last4=Lazzari |first4=Paolo |last5=Cossarini |first5=Gianpiero |last6=Solidoro |first6=Cosimo |date=2015-05-01 |title=Estimating the value of carbon sequestration ecosystem services in the Mediterranean Sea: An ecological economics approach |journal=Global Environmental Change |volume=32 |pages=87–95 |doi=10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.02.008 |issn=0959-3780|doi-access=free }}

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| image1 = Koppen-Geiger Map MAR present.svg

| caption1 = Köppen climate classification map for Morocco for 1980–2016

| image2 = Koppen-Geiger Map MAR future.svg

| caption2 = 2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free }}{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=Cosmos |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC doesn’t make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920224129/https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |url-status=live }}

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Most of Morocco has similar weather to the majority of the Mediterranean region; along the coast, the rainy winter season will amount to 1,200mm of rainfall followed by a dry summer.{{Cite web |last=The World Bank Group |date=2021 |title=Climate Risk Profile: Morocco |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/15725-WB_Morocco%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf |access-date=29 November 2023 |website=The World Bank Group}} Temperatures in this region see a range of 8° C to 28° C. The Southern region is drier than the coastline, with an average rainfall around 100mm of rain per year and temperatures ranging from below 0° C to 28° C. The average temperature across Morocco has seen an increase of 0.2°C per decade, but between 1971 and 2017, temperature averages rose by 1.7° C.{{Cite web |title=Climate Resilience for Energy Transition in Morocco – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/climate-resilience-for-energy-transition-in-morocco |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=IEA |language=en-GB}} In Spring 2023, a heat wave broke seasonal averages by 5-13° C and, due to the preceding dry winter, resulted in significant water shortages in dams, which further impacted irrigation and other agricultural practices, and worsened biodiversity loss.{{Cite web |last=Nait El-Rayes |first=Soukina |date=22 June 2023 |title=Dry Winters and Scorching Springs: Climate Change in Morocco |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2023/06/dry-winters-and-scorching-springs-climate-change-in-morocco?lang=en |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}} Heat waves of this nature present major threats to ecosystems and are expected to become much more common as climate change progresses.

60% of the population of Morocco lives on the coast, and flooding and sea level rise are expected to significantly affect these populations.{{Cite web |date=2016-12-09 |title=Climate Risk Profile: Morocco |url=https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-risk-profile-morocco |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.climatelinks.org |language=en}} These effects are expected to have the largest impact on economic activities, including tourism, agriculture, and industry.

Morocco’s rural northeast coast is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surges and coastal flooding. Some areas in the north coast are eroding at a rate of 1 meter per year.{{Cite web |title=Morocco {{!}} National Adaptation Global Support Programme |url=https://www.globalsupportprogramme.org/explore/arab-states/morocco |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.globalsupportprogramme.org |language=en}} The increase in sea-level rise will also affect the low terrain surrounding the Moulouya delta, a vital wetland on the eastern coast of Morocco, that is especially vulnerable to sea-level rise and the stress, flooding, erosion, and overall decimation of the area.{{Cite journal |last1=Snoussi |first1=Maria |last2=Ouchani |first2=Tachfine |last3=Niazi |first3=Saïda |date=2008-04-10 |title=Vulnerability assessment of the impact of sea-level rise and flooding on the Moroccan coast: The case of the Mediterranean eastern zone |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771407004404 |journal=Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science |series=Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone, LOICZ: Lessons from Banda Aceh, Atlantis, and Canute |volume=77 |issue=2 |pages=206–213 |doi=10.1016/j.ecss.2007.09.024 |bibcode=2008ECSS...77..206S |issn=0272-7714|url-access=subscription }} The New York Times summarizes the 2022 IPCC climate change assessment, stating that these rising sea levels could "exceed what many nations can afford," both in the sense of destroyed land and economic ramifications.{{Cite news |last1=Plumer |first1=Brad |last2=Zhong |first2=Raymond |date=2022-02-28 |title=Climate Change Is Harming the Planet Faster Than We Can Adapt, U.N. Warns |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/climate/climate-change-ipcc-report.html |access-date=2023-11-04 |issn=0362-4331}}

Climate variability is expected to put a number of pressures on water resources in Morocco. Projections indicate 10%-20% decreases in precipitation across the country, with the most severe effects being felt in the southern region. Of the 140 billion cubic meters (BCM) of water which fall on Morocco yearly, 118 BCM are lost to evaporation before they can be used by the communities.{{Cite news |title=Water Resources in Morocco |language=en-US |work=Fanack Water |url=https://water.fanack.com/morocco/water-resources-morocco/ |access-date=2023-11-04}} Additionally, climate change will reduce snowpack in the Atlas Mountains, reducing water supplies while demand factors such as population expansion, urban growth, industry, and tourism, continue to strain the overall water budget. Furthermore, many coastal aquifers will increasingly become stressed because of coastal salinization.

According to the World Resources Institute, Morocco will reach very high level of water stress around 2040.{{cite news |title=Morocco: emergency plan to counter the water crisis |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/01/18/morocco-emergency-plan-to-counter-the-water-crisis// |access-date=14 April 2024 |agency=Africa news}}

Morocco experienced an unprecedented heat wave in spring 2022, with temperatures far above the seasonal average, attributed to climate change. A dry winter and a five-year trend of declining annual rainfall have contributed to severe water scarcity and adversely affected the agricultural sector. The rise in temperatures is linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and urbanization.{{Cite web |last=Nait el-Rayes |first=Soukina |title=Dry Winters and Scorching Springs: Climate Change in Morocco |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2023/06/dry-winters-and-scorching-springs-climate-change-in-morocco?lang=en |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}}

Imider, a water-stressed community in Morocco's southeast, faces climate change-induced water scarcity. The indigenous Amazigh people have traditionally depended on an efficient irrigation system known as 'khettara,' but rising temperatures and drought, along with phosphate and silver mining in the region, threaten this centuries-old method.{{Cite web |last=Santarsiero |first=Rachel |date=2023-06-30 |title=Morocco's centuries-old irrigation system under threat from climate change |url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2023/06/30/morocco-climate-change-adaptation-berber-khettara/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Climate Home News |language=en}}

Lagoon systems face a heightened risk to sea level rise across Morocco. The Nador Lagoon is one of the largest in Morocco and works to block the high salinity of the Mediterranean and protect the mainland from sea level rise through a barrier island, which averages 350m in width.{{Cite journal |last1=Raji |first1=Otmane |last2=Niazi |first2=Saida |last3=Snoussi |first3=Maria |last4=Dezileau |first4=Laurent |last5=Khouakhi |first5=Abdou |date=1 April 2013 |title=Vulnerability assessment of a lagoon to sea level rise and storm events: Nador lagoon (NE Morocco). |url=https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-coastal-research/volume-65/issue-sp1/SI65-136.1/Vulnerability-assessment-of-a-lagoon-to-sea-level-rise-and/10.2112/SI65-136.1.full |journal=Journal of Coastal Research |volume=65 |issue=sp1 |pages=802–807 |doi=10.2112/SI65-136.1 |s2cid=73608686 |issn=0749-0208 |via=BioOne|url-access=subscription }} These lagoons are vital to the protection of the mainland coastline and the country's water supply, but have become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Oasis ecosystems are complex and fragile, but they have historically thrived in Morocco due to the arid climate and rare rainfall. Climate variability and human-induced climate change has become a major threat to Morocco's oasis ecosystems. Palm groves once dominated the Moroccan oases, but over the last century, have dcreased in land area by nearly two thirds.{{Cn|date=January 2024}} Date palms, produced by these groves, used to be a major crop exported by the country but have seen a marked decrease in yields over the recent decades due to drought, soil degradation, and disease.{{cn|date=January 2024}} The Middle Drâa Valley contains one of the most vital oases in Morocco and is about 15,000 ha in total area. The soils found in these systems are very fertile because they were formed in river deltas, and they have been used for farmland. Farming on this land has now become extremely water intensive. A new push to restore the natural ecosystem has in hopes of regenerating biodiversity and saving water.{{Cite web |last=Fagotto |first=Matteo |date=2023-08-15 |title=The disappearing oases in Morocco |url=https://wired.me/science/the-disappearing-oases-in-morocco/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=WIRED Middle East |language=en-GB}}

{{Main|Agriculture in Morocco}}

The agricultural system in Morocco is especially vulnerable to climate change. Crop production is primarily (87%) from rainfed agriculture.{{Cite web |date=9 December 2016 |title=Climate Risk Profile: Morocco |url=https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-morocco |access-date=2020-05-13 |website=Climatelinks |language=en}} A 2016 drought resulted in 70% decreases in crop yields, and slowed the economy. Morocco struggles with malnutrition and has a diet which consists of 58% in volume in wheat products and bread.{{Cite web |last1=Santos |first1=Nuno |last2=Ceccacci |first2=Iride |date=2015 |title=Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia: Key trends in the agrifood sector |url=https://www.fao.org/3/i4897e/i4897e.pdf |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |place=Rome |agency=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}} This diet is extremely important both culturally and for caloric intake: 71% of daily calories for the average person living in Morocco comes from wheat. To meet this large demand, Morocco imports 40% of the country's wheat products. The other 60% of agriculture makes up almost 40% of the working population state-wide, and 74% in rural areas.{{Citation |last1=Abdelmajid |first1=Saidi |title=Climate Change, Agricultural Policy and Food Security in Morocco |date=2021 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72987-5_7 |work=Emerging Challenges to Food Production and Security in Asia, Middle East, and Africa: Climate Risks and Resource Scarcity |pages=171–196 |editor-last=Behnassi |editor-first=Mohamed |access-date=2023-11-30 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-72987-5_7 |isbn=978-3-030-72987-5 |last2=Mukhtar |first2=Ahmed |last3=Baig |first3=Mirza Barjees |last4=Reed |first4=Michael R. |s2cid=237996205 |editor2-last=Barjees Baig |editor2-first=Mirza |editor3-last=El Haiba |editor3-first=Mahjoub |editor4-last=Reed |editor4-first=Michael R.|url-access=subscription }} The vulnerability which oasis ecosystems face is directly threatening the jobs of Moroccan farmers. Being able to farm in a prosperous way is only becoming more difficult as climate change progresses, negatively affecting food security nationally.

Tourism is the second largest contributor to GDP in Morocco, but the industry is declining due to climate change. Tourism counts for 8.2% of Moroccos GDP as of 2017 and creates 7.1% of jobs.{{Cite journal |last1=Kasmi |first1=Siham |last2=Snoussi |first2=Maria |last3=Khalfaoui |first3=Otmane |last4=Aitali |first4=Rajaa |last5=Flayou |first5=Latifa |date=2020-04-01 |title=Increasing pressures, eroding beaches and climate change in Morocco |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1464343X20300479 |journal=Journal of African Earth Sciences |volume=164 |pages=103796 |bibcode=2020JAfES.16403796K |doi=10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2020.103796 |issn=1464-343X |s2cid=214146142|url-access=subscription }} Increasing temperatures are expected to diminish the popularity of Morocco as a tourist destination. Sea level rise is also expected to damage infrastructure in the coastal regions in coming years, much of which is used for tourism purposes. The loss of fresh water resources is also closely tied with the countries recent struggles with tourism. Golf courses require more water every year, with an 88% growth in water required from the year 2005 to 2015.{{Cite news |last=Saleh |first=Heba |date=2023-03-12 |title=Morocco must adapt to growing climate threat, warns finance minister |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/30ecc8b7-2229-4677-a735-62e070a0e6ba |access-date=2023-11-04}}

Several health risks accompany other well-known climate change impacts. A 2015 WHO report highlights flooding, infectious disease, heat, and air pollution as some of the many health-related impacts of climate change in Morocco. Sea-level rise drives an increased exposure to flooding events, and in turn can result in death, decreased food production, increased infectious disease outbreaks, and population displacement, among other impacts. Infectious diseases and their vectors are expected to worsen with climate change, as control programs and health interventions aim to curb such growth. As favorable conditions for vectors expand geographically, the vectors tend to find those newly suitable conditions. In Morocco, the vector-borne disease cutaneous leishmaniases have become increasingly burdensome, with "24,804 cases due to L. major CL, 16,852 cases due to L. tropica CL and 1366 cases caused by L. infantum VL...recorded between 2004 and 2013."{{Cite journal |last1=Kholoud |first1=Kahime |last2=Denis |first2=Sereno |last3=Lahouari |first3=Bounoua |last4=El Hidan |first4=Moulay Abdelmonaim |last5=Souad |first5=Bouhout |date=2018 |title=Management of Leishmaniases in the Era of Climate Change in Morocco |url= |journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |volume=15 |issue=7 |pages=1542 |doi=10.3390/ijerph15071542 |issn= |pmc=6068872 |pmid=30037049 |doi-access=free }} Cases of the disease recently spread from the east to west within Morocco, and continue to be a significant health risk. A 2013 study found that rising minimum temperatures have "created conditions suitable for endemicity that did not previously exist" for Phlebotomize sand flies, the disease's main vector. IPCC warns about mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria and Zika due to climate change in East Africa.{{cite book | doi=10.1017/9781009325844.011 | chapter=Africa | title=Climate Change 2022 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability | date=2023 | pages=1285–1456 | isbn=978-1-009-32584-4 }} A 2021 World Bank report adds dengue fever and schistosomiasis to that list.World Bank Group. 2021. Climate Risk Profile: Morocco. https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/15725-WB_Morocco%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf Rising average annual temperatures also threaten an increase in heat-related illnesses, as heat waves and droughts are expected to become more frequent and intense. Outdoor and indoor air pollution both present significant threats to health in Morocco.{{Cite journal |last1=Nejjari |first1=Chakib |last2=Marfak |first2=Abdelghafour |last3=Rguig |first3=Ahmed |last4=Maaroufi |first4=Abderrahmane |last5=El Marouani |first5=Ihssane |last6=El Haloui |first6=Abderrafii |last7=El Johra |first7=Bouchra |last8=Ouahabi |first8=Rachid |last9=Moulki |first9=Rachid |last10=Azami |first10=Amina Idrissi |last11=El Achhab |first11=Youness |date=2021-03-22 |title=Ambient air pollution and emergency department visits among children and adults in Casablanca, Morocco |journal=AIMS Public Health |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=285–302 |doi=10.3934/publichealth.2021022 |issn=2327-8994 |pmc=8116191 |pmid=34017892}}

Migration and urbanization

Climate change is causing a mass migration across Morocco, generally from rural areas to cities, but also from more affected rural areas to less affected.{{Cite journal |last=Najjar |first=Dina |date=November 28, 2023 |title=Assessing the Regional Impacts of Climate Change on Economic Sectors in the Low-lying Coastal Zone of Mediterranean East Morocco |url=https://erf.org.eg/publications/climate-change-gender-decision-making-power-and-migration-into-the-saiss-region-of-morocco/?tab=undefined&c=undefined |journal=Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research}} Migration within Morocco is a major undertaking for people young and old: Whereas young people tend to think of it as an opportunity, older people perceive it as leaving behind lives, routines, communities, and rich social networks.{{Cite journal |last=Van Praag |first=Lore |date=2021-01-01 |title=Can I move or can I stay? Applying a life course perspective on immobility when facing gradual environmental changes in Morocco |journal=Climate Risk Management |volume=31 |pages=100274 |bibcode=2021CliRM..3100274V |doi=10.1016/j.crm.2021.100274 |issn=2212-0963 |s2cid=234193735 |doi-access=free|hdl=10067/1747030151162165141 |hdl-access=free }} Migration within Morocco is characterized by urbanization, just as it is globally. Thus, cities are growing rapidly.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-21 |title=Morocco |url=https://housingfinanceafrica.org/countries/morocco/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=CAHF {{!}} Centre for Affordable Housing Finance Africa |language=en-US}} This pattern of urban growth is expected to continue in the face of climate change impacts, such as natural disasters, prompting a push by the government to emphasize the use of urban resilience and disaster risk management (DRM) strategies as cities expand.{{Cite web |title=Empowering Moroccan Cities to Adapt and Thrive in the Face of Disasters |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/12/20/empowering-moroccan-cities-to-adapt-and-thrive-in-the-face-of-disasters |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=World Bank |language=en}} However, a problem accompanying rapid urbanization in Morocca is affordable housing. As of 2021, Morocco has faced a shortage of about 400,000 affordable housing units, with around 9.2% of the urban population forced to live in substandard and/or informal housing with few opportunities for improvement.

File:OuarzazateSolar.jpeg.]]

Morocco identified the transportation, household energy, industry, livestock, and energy sectors as priority areas for mitigation.{{Cite web |title=Morocco's National Action Plan Signals New Era in the Country's Climate and Clean Air Commitment {{!}} Climate & Clean Air Coalition |url=https://www.ccacoalition.org/news/moroccos-national-action-plan-signals-new-era-countrys-climate-and-clean-air-commitment |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.ccacoalition.org |language=en}} Morocco is dependent on imported energy, and almost 90% of its energy in 2022 came from these imported fuels.{{Cite web |last=ITA |date=29 November 2022 |title=Morocco - Energy |url=https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/morocco-energy |access-date=30 November 2023 |website=International Trade Administration |language=en}} In 2022, fossil fuels are the country’s most prominent energy source, providing around 63% of Morocco’s energy needs. Morocco is accelerating the replacement of coal and gas in its electricity mix. Renewable energy technologies are one of the key pillars in Morocco’s mitigation strategy. Renewables account for about 37% of Morocco's energy mix, with hydropower contributing the highest amount, at 16.14%, followed by wind power at 13.37%, and finally, solar at 7.58%. Another primary strategy for mitigation in Morocco is reducing energy use. The government hopes to reduce energy use 15% from 2016 levels to 2030.

In 2018, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the First National Operation & Maintenance Company (NOMAC), and the International Company for Water and Power Projects (ACWA Power) completed construction of the 582 MW Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex. Included in the complex are the world’s largest concentrated solar power(CSP) facility (510 MW) and a 72 MW photovoltaic facility (PV) (completed in 2016). The plant is able to deliver power into the evening hours by using molten salt thermal energy storage.{{Cite web |title=NOORO I CSP IPP |url=https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/nooro-i-csp-ipp/ |website=ACWA Power}} Despite the site’s major energy production, the development phase was reportedly problematic due to its environmental and social impacts, as the developers did not effectively engage with the community and compromised the local water source.{{Cite web |last=Douglas |first=Georgia |date=2021-03-21 |title=Shining a Light on the Injustices of the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Plant Empoword Journalism Global |url=https://www.empowordjournalism.com/all-articles/current-affairs/global/shining-a-light-on-the-injustices-of-the-noor-ouarzazate-solar-plant/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Empoword Journalism |language=en-GB}}

In 2021, Morocco released an updated version of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which aims for renewables to account for 52% of installed electrical power by 2030.{{Cite web |date=June 2021 |title=Nationally Determined Contribution - Updated |url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Moroccan%20updated%20NDC%202021%20_Fr.pdf |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=unfccc.int}} Individual targets are set at 20% solar, 20% wind, 12% hydroelectric, and a 20% savings in energy consumption. The new NDC aims to not only contribute to a lower greenhouse gas impact, but to increase Morocco’s energy security, due to its heavy reliance on important fossil fuels. Moreover, Morocco’s state-owned energy utility, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), which owns all operations and transmission lines for Morocco’s power grid, has overseen some major installments of renewable energy production facilities. Currently, around 16 renewable energy projects have been installed, with 32 in plans.{{Cite web |title=Power Sector Transition in Morocco |url=https://www.gem.wiki/Power_Sector_Transition_in_Morocco |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Global Energy Monitor |language=en}}

Construction of a 350 MW Pumped Energy Transfer Station (PETS) in the town of Abdelmoumen, located some 70 km from Agadir, began in April 2018 and was set to complete in 2022 (status unclear at the time of writing).{{Cite web |title=Abdelmoumen Pumped-Storage Power Plant, Morocco |url=https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/abdelmoumen-pumped-storage-power-plant/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Abdelmoumen pumped storage hydroelectric plant |url=https://www.vinci-construction-projets.com/en/realisations/abdelmoumen-pumped-storage-hydroelectric-plant/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=VINCI Construction Grands Projets |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=9 October 2018 |title=Morocco's Second Energy Transfer Pumping Station to See Light in Agadir |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/10/254937/morocco-energy-transfer-pumping-station-agadir |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=Morocco World News |agency=Morocco World News}} Morocco’s ONEE energy utility owns the project, and contractors Vinci Construction and Andritz Hydro were brought on for construction and operation. Worth nearly $317 million, the plant serves as a rapid-response energy facility that will provide around 616 GWh per year to Morocco’s southern region of Souss-Massa-Drâa.

{{Excerpt|Energy policy of Morocco}}

File:King Mohammed VI.jpg speaking at the 2016 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh.]]

Morocco ranked second in its approach to addressing climate change in the 2018 and 2019 Climate Change Performance Index.{{Cite web|title=Morocco ranked second in Climate Change Performance Index 2018|url=http://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/blogpost/morocco-ranked-second-climate-change-performance-index-2018|date=2018-12-20|website=UN Environment|language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}}{{Cite web |date=2020-04-30 |title=Morocco: Ranked second worldwide in climate change control |url=https://www.afrik21.africa/en/morocco-ranked-second-worldwide-in-climate-change-control/ |access-date=2020-05-29 |website=Afrik 21 |language=en-US}}{{cite news |title=Climate Change Performance Index 2022: Morocco maintains its rank in the top 10 worldwide – The North Africa Post |url=https://northafricapost.com/53722-climate-change-performance-index-2022-morocco-maintains-its-rank-in-the-top-10-worldwide.html}} (CCPI), Based on 2022 CCPI, Morocco was ranked 8th amongst the 68 countries around the world with an overall score of 71.64% in terms of preparedness for climate change.{{cite news |last1= Latrech |first1=Oumaima |title=2022 Climate Change Performance Index: Morocco 5th Best Country Worldwide |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/11/345439/2022-climate-change-performance-index-morocco-5th-best-country-worldwide |work= Morocco World News |language=en}}

The government of Morocco has a Plan Verde strategy in order to cope with climate change.{{Cite web|title=5 things Morocco is doing about Climate Change|url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/11/17/5-things-morocco-is-doing-about-climate-change|website=World Bank|language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}} In this plan, the government commits to producing over half of its energy by renewables by 2030, removing subsidies of fossil fuels, committing to green employment, focusing on ocean resource management and preserving aquifers.

Morocco intends to generate 52 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with 20 percent coming from solar, 20 percent from wind, and 12 percent from hydropower.{{Cite web |last=Falk |first=Thomas O. |title=Morocco: MENA's rare climate change success story |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/10/morocco-leads-the-fight-against-climate-change-in-the-middle-east |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

In 2023, Morocco's finance minister, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, highlighted the need to adapt the country's economy to address the escalating threat of climate change. Droughts caused by below-average rainfall linked to climate change have significantly impacted Morocco's agriculture, and the country's economy grew just 1.2% in 2022, down from 7.9% the previous year. To address the water scarcity challenge, the government is focusing on investing in water technologies and further accelerating growth sectors like car manufacturing.{{Cite news |last=Saleh |first=Heba |date=2023-03-12 |title=Morocco must adapt to growing climate threat, warns finance minister |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/30ecc8b7-2229-4677-a735-62e070a0e6ba |access-date=2023-10-24}}

• Climate change in the Middle East and North Africa

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Category:Environment of Morocco

Morocco

Morocco