Environment

In the face of important environmental challenges created by rapid population growth, pollution and climate change, Morocco has established itself as a strong advocate for environmental protection and conservation. The government’s major new energy strategy focuses on diversifying energy sources with the target to produce 42% of electricity needs from renewables by 2020. Despite the presence of many environmental challenges to the kingdom, Morocco has initiated several rounds of regulations and reforms aimed at improving and expanding its environmental protection commitments. More extensive reforms are also in the process of being introduced, including a new law intended to facilitate access to information on environmental developments and regulations against soil erosion and noise pollution. With growing concerns about air and water pollution, inadequate waste management facilities, burgeoning costs for energy imports and the destruction of the kingdom’s ecosystems, the government has adopted a multitude of initiatives to combat these issues, setting an impressive example for the rest of the region. This chapter contains an interview with Ahmed Squalli, President, Amisole.