GIZ supports Morocco in implementing its climate goals

Morocco – the host country of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference – has set ambitious climate goals. On behalf of the German Federal Government, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit is supporting the country in implementing these goals.

Eschborn, 4 November 2016 Climate change is already a reality in Morocco and is manifesting itself through water scarcity, increasing temperatures and a number of extreme weather events. The country therefore wants to limit its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by 32% and generate 52% of its electricity using renewable energy. Morocco presented these ambitious goals last year at the climate conference in Paris. In order to implement them, the Moroccan Government, with assistance from GIZ, is developing a country-wide strategy to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts. GIZ will also aid in its implementation, for example through vocational education, strategic advisory services and networking with the local private sector.

Mitigating the impacts of climate change

Climate change is posing an increasing threat to the livelihoods of the Moroccan population. Together with the Moroccan Government, GIZ is supporting the local population in preserving their livelihoods. For example, Berber women in the south of the country were trained in producing high-quality oil from the nuts of the climate-resistant argan tree. The oil has now been certified as organic and is even being sold on the European market. Argan oil production is boosting the incomes of around 2,500 families and has become an important economic foothold in the region.

Vocational training supports the energy transition

To date, the country has lacked qualified technicians and appropriate basic and further training measures to achieve the nationwide expansion of renewable energy. In order to address this issue, GIZ is supporting the organisational, educational and technical development of a training centre in Oujda, which since last year has trained 165 students to become specialists in solar, wind, hydropower, and energy efficiency. In addition, further training courses for specialists, architects and engineers on renewable energy topics are taking place on a regular basis in the training centre. The basic and further education strategy developed by GIZ will be transferred to other training centres in future.

Green mosques create jobs and save energy

Religious authorities also play an important role in the Moroccan energy transition. GIZ works with mosques to raise the awareness of as many people as possible on energy efficiency. Nearly 150 imams and mourchidates (women clerics) have already been trained on the careful use of energy and the advantages of renewable energy, and are sharing this knowledge through their sermons to their communities. Furthermore, the first 100 mosques are currently undergoing energy refurbishments, for example through the installation of LED lighting, photovoltaic systems and solar panels for warm water. What is notable is that these improvements are being carried out on the basis of energy-saving contracts in which Moroccan companies assume the financial and technical risks, deriving their payment from the energy savings that they achieve.

Supporting Morocco as a host

A milestone in Morocco’s climate change efforts is its decision to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP 22. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ is supporting the presidency of the climate conference and the national organisational committee.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Government in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. Through our work we assist people and societies in shaping their own future and improving their living conditions.