Climate change in Morocco

Like other countries in the MENA region, climate change is expected to significantly impact Morocco on multiple dimensions. As a coastal country with hot and arid climates, environmental impacts are likely to be wide and varied.

Moreover, analysis of these environmental changes on the economy of Morocco are expected to create challenges at all levels of the economy, especially in the agricultural systems and fisheries which employ half of the population, and account for 14% of GDP.[1] In addition, because 60% of the population and most of the industrial activity are on the coast, sea level rise is a major threat to key economic forces.[1] As of the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index, Morocco was ranked second in preparedness behind Sweden.[2]

Environmental impacts

Sea level rise

60% of the population of Morocco lives on the coast, and flooding and sea level rise are expected to significantly effect these populations.[1] These effects are especially going to effect economic activities, including tourism, agriculture, and industry.[1]

Water resources

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 in the Saharan region by 2100.[1] Additionally, climate change will reduce snowpack in the Atlas Mountains.[1] This puts pressure on water resources, already stressed by other sources such as population expansion, urban growth, industry, and tourism.[1] Furthermore, many coastal aquifers will be increasingly become stress because of coastal salinization

Economy

Agriculture
Main article: Agriculture in Morocco

The agricultural system in Morocco is especially vulnerable to climate change. Crop production is primarily (87%) from rainfed agriculture.[1] A 2016 drought resulted in 70% decreases in crop yields, and slowed the economy.[1]

Renewable energy
This section is an excerpt from Renewable energy in Morocco[edit]

Renewable energy in Morocco represented 0.4% of the national energy balance (excluding biomass) and nearly 10% of electricity production in 2007. Renewable energy is supported by strong hydropower sources and the newly installed wind energy parks (147 MW installed and 975 MW under deployment). Morocco plans a $13 billion expansion of wind, solar and hydroelectric power generation capacity and associated infrastructure that should see the country get 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.[3] The Moroccan government is keen on increasing renewable energy production, as Morocco's January–September oil bill reached about USD 1.4 billion in subsidies in 2009, registering a fall of 57.9% compared to 2008.[4]

Morocco has a bold target of sourcing more than half of its electrical energy from renewable sources by 2030 and a plan to have 2,000 MW of wind and 2,000 MW of solar power plants by 2020, looking to add 1.5GW renewable capacity annually. These targets, alongside other climate change policy, helped Morocco be rated second most prepared country in the 2018 and 2019 Climate Change Performance Indexes.[5]

Government action

Morocco ranked second in its approach to addressing climate change in the 2018 and 2019 Climate Change Performance Index.[6][2] The government of Morocco has a Plan Vert strategy in order to cope with climate change.[7] 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.[7]

Energy
This section is an excerpt from Energy policy of Morocco[edit]

Morocco's energy policy is set independently by two agencies of the government: the Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining (ONHYM[8]), which sets domestic oil policy, and the Office National de l'Electricité (ONE),[9] which sets policy with regard to electricity. The two major weaknesses of the energy policy of Morocco are the lack of coordination between these two agencies and the lack of development of domestic energy sources.

The country has some hydrocarbon reserves, mostly in natural gas reserves that have been exploited. However, its main policy highlight is in adaptation to climate change: the climate change adaptation index ranked. Currently, most energy is produced through hydrocarbon thermal plants. However, government policy is on track to convert to a high renewable mix of 42% installed renewables by 2020, and 52% by 2030.[10] Renewables include hydroelectric, wind, and solar.

References
  1. "Climate Risk Profile: Morocco". Climatelinks. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  2. "MOROCCO: Ranked second worldwide in climate change control". Afrik 21. 2020-04-30. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  3. http://www.zawya.com/pdfstory.cfm?storyid=ZW20091109000145&l=035354091110
  4. http://www.moroccobusinessnews.com/Content/Article.asp?idr=20&id=1241
  5. "MOROCCO: Ranked second worldwide in climate change control". Afrik 21. 2020-04-30. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  6. Environment, U. N. (2018-12-20). "Morocco ranked second in Climate Change Performance Index 2018". UN Environment. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  7. "5 things Morocco is doing about Climate Change". World Bank. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  8. "Home". www.onhym.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  9. "Site web officiel de l'ONEE - Branche Electricit�". www.one.org.ma. Retrieved 2020-10-22. replacement character in |title= at position 49 (help)
  10. "MOROCCO: Ranked second worldwide in climate change control". Afrik 21. 2020-04-30. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
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