Morocco has begun to make significant efforts towards addressing climate change, with an emphasis on energy, agriculture and urban development. Sixty one percent of Moroccans live in urban areas. Eight cities have a population of over 500,000 people, compared to three in 1985. It is expected that by 2020, two thirds of Morocco’s population will be living in cities. A significant priority of the government is local governance and regionalization that emphasizes local development, job creation and balanced economic growth.
The Government of Morocco (GoM) has been cultivating an inclusive green economy for a number of years in collaboration with international development partners. Additionally, the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS), conceptualizes territories as sustainable ecosystems, and aims to improve design, coordination and implementation of urban interventions and rural-urban linkages. Such examples provide a strong foundation for GGGI’s Morocco country program, which encompasses green territorial development, the circular and social solidarity economy, and localizing the NSDS.