NATIONAL CHARTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL CHARTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

On April 22, 2010, during the celebration of Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, Morocco

announced an unprecedented National Charter for Environment and Sustainable

Development. This is the first environmental charter of its kind. It will form the

framework for national environmental laws as well as for future environmental policy.

The aim of this environmental charter is to govern water and solid waste management

in all public and private sectors, while preserving natural resources and spaces.

In addition, the charter will aim to ensure that all projects adhere to

environmentally-friendly specifications, providing proof of Morocco’s will to sign

up for a progressive policy to reconcile the imperatives of socio-economic

development with the preservation of the environment and sustainable development.

Another aim of this charter is to make up lost ground in water management by

recycling waste water from homes and factories The treated water will be used to

irrigate green spaces and farms.

With the National Charter which was launched on July 30, 2009 by King Mohammed VI,

all Moroccans share the responsibility for the protection and preservation of the

environment as well as for sustainable development. Furthermore, the local

government shall take measures and concerted decisions that ensure the protection

and preservation of the environment in their respective territories. They are also

required to develop and implement integrated programs that are able to ensure the

sustainability of natural and cultural resources. The civil society, mainly non-

governmental organizations are called upon to socially take into account sustainable

development and the protection and preservation of the environment.

Morocco is also dedicated to integrating renewable energy policies as part of an

overall Moroccan energy security plan to reduce Morocco’s reliance on foreign energy

sources. Morocco will build five solar energy stations. The project aims at creating

a capacity of 2,000 MW by 2020, which will equal 38% of its installed power

generation by 2020. By that time, if everything goes according to plan, solar energy

could meet 10% of Morocco’s demand for electricity and will reduce the emissions of

carbon dioxide by 3.7 million tons per year.