The international forecasts are once again cool. Six years after the conclusion of the Paris Agreement, which aims for a maximum temperature rise of + 2 ° C, if possible + 1.5 ° C, by the end of the century, the signatory states are leading the world to a “catastrophic” warming of + 2.7 ° C.
A few weeks before the next international climate conference (COP26), a report by Climate Action Tracker shows that we are still a long way from this goal (+ 2 ° C). This report, based on an analysis of more than 35 countries, including the world’s largest carbon emitters, shows that no other nation is up to the measures to curb climate change except one: the African state of Gambia. The small West African country, which relies on renewable energy for much of its needs, has gone to considerable lengths to top the ranking. The report, which assessed a range of measures such as national climate policies taken, land use and measures, international financial support and emissions targets, indicates that seven other countries including Morocco (Costa Rica, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal, Nigeria, United Kingdom), collect the mention of “almost adequate climate protection”.

Measures deemed inadequate
Unfortunately, this is not the case in many other countries that emit high levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs), most notably the United States. The measures taken by the Americans are considered “inadequate”. The policies of the European Union, Japan, Norway or Chile also fall into this category, according to this independent scientific report published by The Guardian and produced by two NGOs, Climate Analytics, which specialize in science and climate policy, NewClimate Institute, the Topics in connection with international climate negotiations. Other states are even further off the bill, notably China, which is now the country that emits the most greenhouse gases each year. In 2019, it was responsible for 27% of global emissions (though it is still the United States that has the highest emissions per capita). The measures taken so far remain in the “very inadequate” category, warns Climate Action Tracker. This also applies to large emitters such as Canada, Australia or India. Russia, the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, is one of the worst performers alongside Singapore, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. While the goal of zero carbon is generally targeted by the 2050 deadline, Climate Action Tracker is alerting countries to the importance of meeting the previous deadlines.
“The most important date is 2030, when global emissions must have been reduced by 50%. Governments are on the wrong track to achieve this, ”say the two NGOs. According to their estimates, global emissions at the current pace will always be twice as high as the threshold values ​​to be complied with. “The wave of states that have committed to be carbon-free by 2050 gives cause for hope,” said Climate Action Tracker nonetheless. It is therefore a priority to adjust the schedule according to this deadline. “It is crucial that the goals that the states have set themselves for 2030 and 2050 are properly coordinated. Most zero carbon goals are loosely worded (…) Specific short term goals are essential to meet the long term goal, ”the report says.

Is Morocco Really a Good Student?
The climate protection measure planned by Morocco as part of its national energy strategy includes the implementation of an “ambitious target” of 42% of the installed electricity capacity from renewable energies by 2020, which is to increase to 52% by 2030, according to the document. As an environmentally friendly country with “low” greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Morocco has to be supported by other countries in order to shift up a gear when implementing its climate policy, say the two NGOs. Climate Action Tracker, who says it has thoroughly assessed the impact of the mitigation measures currently being taken by Morocco, also believes that the Kingdom is in the process of meeting its unconditional CDN (national contribution) objectives within the framework of current policy the “ambitious” expansion of solar, wind and hydropower capacities. Hassan Bentaleb, Associate Researcher at the Climate Change and Territorial Planning Laboratory – Hassan II University of Casablanca, believes this ranking of Morocco among countries with “almost sufficient climate protection measures” is not surprising.
“Today, according to the official speech, Morocco is a role model and one of the references at the international level, especially when it comes to promoting renewable energies and sustainable development,” he explains to us. He continued: “A positioning that is constantly celebrated internationally and by other countries, international institutions, donors, investors, etc. The latter often underline their“ very active ”role and their pioneering role in dealing with climate change issues both within Africa and at the level of the United Nations.
However, according to our interlocutor, “the consensus on this official speech was never established, even if the question of climate change was not part of the public debate”. “There have always been dissenting opinions that disputed the official presentation or part of it. These opinions were often borne by a few academics, activists or NGOs who criticize certain aspects of the official discourse but have never fully questioned it, “assures Hassan Bentaleb, who believes that” these dissenting opinions are always inaudible voices , circumscribed and hidden “. , unable to produce a full counter-narrative based on new frameworks, paradigms or references, and unable to propose a reclassification of the problem of climate change. “In other words,” continues the researcher, “the opponents of the official discourse have not succeeded in producing a counter-narrative that is able to identify new causes considered relevant and to work out proposed solutions while taking responsibility for the Situation ascribed to a clearly identified “part”.
Nevertheless, according to the expert, “Attac Maroc is one of those voices protesting against the official discourse on climate change, and considers this discourse about Morocco’s commitment to the fight against climate change at international level to be a false pretext”. According to this NGO, the adaptation and mitigation measures mentioned in Morocco’s NDC in no way represent an “obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, but at most an “obligation to reduce the expected increase in these emissions” or simply “to change their trajectory”, without actually doing so To have a desire to reduce them significantly in practice. Hassan Bentaleb recalled that the anti-capitalist NGO also criticized “the promises made by Morocco with regard to renewable energies and energy efficiency”. “She believes that the handing over of numerous gas and oil exploration permits to several multinational corporations and the construction of a first nuclear power plant by 2022-2024 contradict Moroccan energy policy, which aims to reduce the share of fossil fuels,” he emphasizes. The goal of reducing Morocco’s greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030 is also being questioned.
“Attac Maroc rates this number as“ cut off ”, as Morocco’s actual commitment is only to reduce emissions by only 14%. The 32% reduction scenario remains subject to “international support” estimated at $ 45 million, “confirms this researcher, who also wishes to remind that” the balance of power that characterizes the relationship between the Moroccan state and civil society is NGOs often reduced to simple dissonance voices or simple channels of permanent protest that can be sporadically and suddenly mobilized, that are unable to create new forms of organization or to build a collective identity that transcends particular and territorial interests.
Ultimately, it depends. Every government faces the difficulty of reconciling its climate commitments with the realities of its people. The massive inflation that is taking hold in the US, for example, as government spending has gotten out of hand, is the ultimate proof of this. These two competing ambitions are often incompatible, and the climate emergency often takes a back seat to political decisions and the electoral cycle.
However, Morocco, Gambia and all these other developing countries, which are often classified as good students in this field, are just a drop in the ocean on global emissions. What really counts when dealing with the climate emergency are the major emitters. To achieve the Paris Agreement goal, China, India and the United States must drastically reduce their emissions.