Morocco: A Positive Exception in a Time of Food and Climate Crises
At a time of escalating global concerns about food security and the repercussions of climate change, Morocco stands out as one of the few models that has successfully broken the traditional equation between increased agricultural production and rising carbon emissions. This is the conclusion of a recent report issued by the World Economic Forum, which places the Kingdom at the forefront of countries that have chosen a different development path, one based on investment in clean energy and sustainable agriculture, rather than a trade-off between food and the environment.
The report considers the Moroccan experience to represent a qualitative shift in the approach to agricultural and climate issues, especially in the context of developing countries, where environmental protection is often viewed as a burden that hinders growth.
Why is Morocco different?
The report points to what it calls the “African paradox,” whereby the continent possesses about 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated agricultural land, yet it remains heavily dependent on food imports. However, according to the Forum, this paradox no longer applies to Morocco.
The Kingdom has successfully leveraged its natural resources, geographic location, and long-term public policies to build a production model based on innovation and technology, rather than the intensive depletion of resources. This transformation has enabled Morocco to strengthen its food security while simultaneously reducing its carbon footprint.
Phosphate: From Underground Wealth to a Green Lever
Morocco possesses approximately 70 percent of the world's phosphate reserves, but, according to the report, it moved beyond simply exporting the raw material years ago to harnessing this wealth for the green transition.
Smart, low-carbon fertilizers have been developed to improve soil fertility, conserve water, and enhance farmers' resilience to drought and climate change. This approach has contributed to making the phosphate sector a key player in emissions reduction efforts, accounting for nearly 9 percent of total national reductions.
Climate Commitments Backed by Figures
Morocco’s trajectory reflects a clear climate ambition. The Kingdom has committed to reducing its emissions by 21.6 percent without international support, and by up to 53 percent with external financing, by 2035 compared to 2010 levels.
The OCP Group is leading this transformation through a large-scale investment program aimed at increasing fertilizer production from 12 to 20 million tons by 2027, with the goal of achieving full carbon neutrality by 2040.
Renewable Energy at the Heart of the Strategy
According to the World Economic Forum, renewable energy contributed approximately 22 percent to Morocco’s electricity production in 2023, with an ambitious target of reaching 52 percent by 2030.
OCP Green Energy projects are a cornerstone of this transformation, as the Group aims to meet 100 percent of its energy needs from clean sources by 2027, with a total capacity exceeding [amount missing in original text]. 1.2 gigawatts, which enhances its energy independence and reduces its carbon footprint.
Water… The Strategic Challenge
The report did not overlook the water issue, describing it as a “silent challenge” in a country facing increasing water pressure. The forum praised the integrated solutions adopted by Morocco, particularly through the “OCP Green Water” projects, which are based on seawater desalination and the reuse of industrial wastewater.
According to the report, this approach not only alleviates pressure on natural resources but also directly links water security to the energy transition and industrial sustainability.
Green Hydrogen and Carbon-Free Fertilizers
The World Economic Forum believes that Morocco possesses strong potential to become a key player in the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, which opens the door to the production of carbon-free phosphate fertilizers and strengthens the integration between agricultural and energy policies.
When Farmers and the Environment Win Together
The report highlighted the social dimension of Morocco’s transformation, praising programs such as “Al Moutmir” and “Torba,” which have contributed to increasing agricultural productivity by up to 23 percent, raising farmers’ incomes by more than 50 percent, and storing approximately 1.4 tons of carbon per hectare.
An Exportable Model
The World Economic Forum concluded that the Moroccan experience proves that food security and climate protection are not contradictory options, but rather can be combined within a single development path based on innovation, sustainability, and social justice.
A Model the report sees as a practical roadmap for developing countries seeking genuine development in a world characterized by increasing crises and complex climate and food challenges.
