Morocco Ranks Third in 2018 Climate Change Performance Index, Solidifying Place as World Leader in Fight against Climate Change

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ClimateAction–For the third year in a row, Morocco ranked in the top ten of the Climate
Change Performance Index, placing third behind only Sweden and
Lithuania in the annual index published by Germanwatch, the NewClimate
Institute, and the Climate Action Network.

The index, which evaluates and compares the climate protection
performance of 56 countries and the EU, cited Morocco’s high ratings in
the policy and energy use categories in ranking it in the group of high
performers. According to the index, “The country profits from a low
emissions level and an ambitious GHG emissions reduction target by 2030.
Morocco was able to install many new renewable energy capacities within
the last five years, which most likely will lead to a better rating
regarding renewables next year…Furthermore, Morocco’s current level of
per capita energy use and its corresponding well-below-2°C
compatibility, result in a high rating in this category.”

Morocco scored first worldwide in the climate policy category – a
testament to its leadership in both national and international policy
initiatives. Earlier this year, Morocco hosted the second annual Climate
Chance Summit, the largest gathering to date of non-state actors
engaged in the fight against climate change. Over 2,000 participants
from nearly 80 countries gathered to discuss the importance of engaging
non-state actors as key stakeholders in climate negotiations, resulting
in the Declaration
of Agadir to ensure support for the objectives of the Paris Accord.

The Climate Chance Summit was the second time that Morocco has hosted a
major climate conference, building upon the discussions that took place
during the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP
22), which took place in Marrakech in November 2016.

“Morocco’s ranking in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index is an
important recognition of its commitment to the environment,” said former
US Ambassador to Morocco Edward Gabriel. “The Kingdom’s leadership in
setting ambitious policies – and implementing them – is a great example
for the rest of the world.”

For more on Morocco’s environmental initiatives, take a look at our fact
sheet.

The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a US-based
independent non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform
and educate opinion makers, government officials, and interested publics
in the United States about the US-Morocco bilateral relationship.

Contacts

Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP)
Caitlin Dearing Scott,
202-587-0855
[email protected]