Climate change in Morocco


, 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. Moreover, 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. As of the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index, Morrocco was ranked second in preparedness behind Sweden.

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. These effects are especially going to effect economic activities, including tourism, agriculture, and industry.

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

Economy

Agriculture

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

Renewable energy

Government action

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

Energy