Doha – The 2024 Climate Change Performance Index has revealed that Morocco ranks an impressive 6th out of 63 countries assessed for their climate protection efforts.
The annual global assessment rates countries across four key categories: greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policy, Christina Miller noted in a report for CEOWorld on April 14.
According to the CEOWorld report, while no country achieved an overall “very high” rating by performing strongly across all categories, Morocco stood out with “high” ratings in both greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.
The North African country has set an ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5% by 2030, despite the vulnerability of its agriculture sector to the impacts of climate change.
Denmark topped the Climate Change Performance rankings for the third consecutive year, with high scores in emissions and renewable energy. Estonia followed in second place, focusing heavily on renewables and aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2030. The Philippines, India, and the Netherlands rounded out the top five.
The CEOWorld report notably showed that some of the world’s largest economies and emitters ranked lower on the index. The United States placed 53rd, while China and Japan came in at 47th and 54th respectively; Canada ranked 58th, and Russia came in 59th place.
In the Arab world, Morocco is followed by Egypt, ranked 18th in the world, Algeria 50th, United Arab Emirates 61st, and Saudi Arabia 63rd.
As the world moves closer to the critical 1.5°C climate threshold, the countries leading the charge in preventing catastrophe are setting a powerful example, Miller emphasized in the CEOWorld report. However, she noted that even top performers like Denmark have yet to achieve the “very high” rating needed to crack the top three positions.
Morocco is one of the countries most affected by climate change, facing increasing droughts and water scarcity. The situation has been further exacerbated by increased evaporation due to rising temperatures. In August 2023, Morocco recorded its highest-ever temperature of 50.4°C.
Read also: Morocco Ranks Ninth in International Climate Change Performance Index
In light of these challenges, King Mohammed VI recently addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, renewing Morocco’s commitment to combat the climate crisis and advance sustainable development.
He pointed to Morocco’s thriving renewable energy sector, development of competitive green hydrogen industries, increasing global market connectivity, and its role in hosting the first football World Cup spanning two continents as evidence of the nation’s dedication to climate action and regional integration.
The King called for a “Pact for Action” to bridge the gap between incremental steps and urgent climate challenges, advocating for a pragmatic yet ambitious approach aligned with the commitments made at COP21 in Paris and COP22 in Marrakech.
He also addressed the inequities in global climate finance, noting that Africa received a mere 12% of its needs in 2020, and called for reforms to multilateralism and development financing.
