Morocco’s Commitment to Combat Climate Change Stems from Royal Vision – Minister

Libreville  – Morocco’s commitment to international efforts to combat climate change stems from the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, translated over time into concrete actions and programs in various sectors, particularly energy, said Monday in Libreville, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali.

“This commitment has enabled Morocco to raise its ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to more than 45% by 2030, as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), under the Paris Agreement and to be on the path to carbon neutrality,” said Benali, who spoke at a ministerial panel, organized as part of the African Climate Week, which is held in the Gabonese capital from August 29 to September 2.

She explained that Morocco’s NDC, which includes some 60 actions and measures, is based mainly on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and programs that contribute to 60% of the total targeted GHG emission reductions.

Therefore, continues the Minister, the renewable energy sector has become a carrier of wealth that leads to improved human welfare and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and resource scarcity.

Morocco has not hesitated, over the past two years, to invest heavily in renewable energy by aiming to raise the share to exceed 52% in the energy mix by 2030, she further emphasized.

In addition, Benali highlighted Morocco’s “exemplary leadership” in terms of sustainable development and transition to a green and inclusive economy, highlighting namely the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD).

It is also the election of the Kingdom to the presidency of the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6), which reflects, in many respects, the commitment of Morocco for the environment through its accession to most of the multilateral environmental conventions, as well as by the implementation of these in national legislation.

On the climate financing part, the Moroccan minister noted, “we fully agree that mixed financing is often the ideal solution for infrastructure projects or even adaptation projects that have relatively low rates of return.”

In this sense, she pleaded for financing mechanisms that multiply efforts in terms of efficiency, especially to develop renewable energy and to consolidate sources of financing for countries that have already done work on reforms and regulatory frameworks, in this case Morocco.

The African Climate Week is attended by heads of state and government, officials and experts from around the world to take part in these meetings, a prelude to the COP-27 scheduled in Egypt.

The Kingdom of Morocco is represented at this major climate event by Leila Benali, and the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui. Also taking part in this event are Nasma Jrondi and Zainab Rachdi, respectively Senior Air & Climate Expert and Program Manager at the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection.