Morocco
NDC Facts
TARGET
17% > 42 % Emission Reduction against Business as Usual (BAU) by 2030, depending on international support
MITIGATION SECTORS
Energy, Agriculture, Transportation, Water, Waste, Forestry, Industry, Housing and Infrastructure
ADAPTATION SECTORS
Agriculture, Coastal Zone, Cross-cutting Area, DRM, Environment, Health, LULUCF/Forestry, Social Development, Tourism, Transport, Urban, Water
NDC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
In preparation
PARIS AGREEMENT RATIFICATION
21 September 2016
SDG LINKAGES
Project information
PROJECT FUNDS
USD 374,500
START DATE
Q3 2017
END DATE
Q1 2020
FOCUS AREAS
NDC – Mitigation Strategy/Plan Alignment, Financing & Investment, Private Sector Engagement
GENDER WORKSTREAM
No
NDC PARTNERSHIP MEMBER
Yes
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
Ministry of Environment
FACT SHEET
Development facts
Context and Objectives
Aware of the risks of climate change on the future of the planet, Morocco joined early in the international community's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt its policies and development programs to the effects of climate change. Morocco ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995 and hosted the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in 2001 and 2015.
Although it is a low emitter of GHGs, Morocco has adopted ambitious climate targets in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) that aims to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. This reflects Morocco’s belief that the country’s transition to a low carbon economy will accelerate socio-economic development, particularly through the introduction of clean, innovative technologies. The medium and long-term objectives assigned to this strategy are to:
- Reduce energy consumption in buildings, industry and transport by 12% by 2020 and 15% by 2030 compared to the current trend
- Increase installed capacity of renewable energies to 42% (14% solar, 14% wind and 14% hydro) of the total electricity capacity by 2020 and 52% by 2030
Morocco’s NDC is currently the only one rated ‘1.5° Paris Agreement Compatible’ by climateactiontracker.org. During the NDC development process, extensive regional and local consultations were held to ensure ownership and high-level buy-in.
Work areas
Alignment of Mitigation Strategies and Plans with the NDC
- Align national Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS)
- Align three Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs)
- Agriculture NAMA for the Sustainable Production of Argan Oil
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Residential Housing NAMA
- Residential waste management NAMA
- LEDCS and NAMAS were developed under LECB
Financing and Investment
- Conduct climate finance assessments to improve budget planning and climate investments.
- Identify financial framework for NDC implementation, along with the financial requirements, incentives, and mechanisms.
Private Sector Engagement
- Engage governments and private sector actors to identify policy, legal and regulatory barriers to investment.
- Address barriers through innovative financial initiatives.
Building blocks
Morocco adopted a “Green Habitat” Strategy which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy in housing and urban planning; and is currently implementing a GEF project on energy efficient housing. Other supporting policies include the National Sustainable Development Strategy (2015-2030), Framework Law establishing the national charter for the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Climate Change Policy (2014).
With support from UNDP’s Low Emission Development (LECB) Programme, Morocco has developed a set of important building blocks for NDC implementation:
- Formulated a substantive cross-sectoral LEDS
- Developed three NAMAs sectors key to the achievement of NDC targets:
- Agriculture NAMA to promote sustainable production of Argan oil, will also improve local livelihoods for women and reduce desertification. The NAMA was further developed into a GCF proposal and managed to secure US$ 39 million in grants by the GCF
- Energy Efficient Housing NAMA will contribute to Morocco’s “Green Habitat Strategy”
- Residential Waste Management NAMA
- Established a climate change online knowledge platform http://www.4c.ma/fr to systematically collate relevant information on climate change for Morocco (in collaboration with GIZ)
Partner initiatives
The project links closely with complementary projects and initiatives to strengthen impact, provide comprehensive support, and to mitigate risk of redundancy. This includes collaboration with the NDC Partnership, GIZ, the IKI NDC Support Cluster (as a focal country) and the EU ClimaSouth project, as well as direct collaboration on the development of the Climate Change Competence Center (4C) on Adaptation and Mitigation.
Related information
Morocco has actively pursued various initiatives and programmes to transition towards a low carbon and sustainable economy. To support this vision, the INDC Project provided assistance to strengthen national capacities to implement its NDC.
Posted on July 31, 2019
Given Morocco’s relatively advanced climate change policy and compliance under the UNFCCC, the LECB) project focused on rationalizing the country’s NAMAs and bringing them into line with international approaches, which had developed significantly towards the end of 2011, when the project was being conceptualized.
Posted on July 30, 2019
Morocco held an Inter-ministerial Dialogue on climate change, where the NDC priorities and next steps were discussed.
Posted on September 21, 2018
Morocco will advance implementation of its climate targets, as outlined in the NDC, through select activities such as aligning the NDC with the mitigation strategy and plan, mobilizing financing and investment, and improving private sector engagement.
Posted on May 10, 2018