Rabat-Salé-Kenitra
Government Structure and Role
Population: 4.8 million (2024)
GDP: MAD$216 billion / US$20.9 billion
Geographic area (sq miles/kilometers):
18,194 km² / 12,393 sq mi
Major economic sectors: Agriculture, Textiles, Food Processing, and Construction
Government size – number of employees: TBC
Governments & Jurisdictions: 3 prefectures: Rabat, Salé, and Skhirate-Témara; 4 provinces: Kénitra, Khemisset, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane; 114 communes: 91 rural communes and 23 urban communes.
Governance on Climate Change
Key laws and strategies
The climate change policy in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region revolves around several initiatives integrated into the Regional Land Use Plan (SRAT), the former Regional Development Plan (PDR), and the new PDR.
In the projections of the SRAT, agriculture, outlined in the Regional Agricultural Plan (PAR) is at the heart of concerns. The future planning includes the development of the Regional Agricultural Development and Planning Plan (PRADA), aimed at consolidating the successes of the PAR. The SRAT also plans concrete actions, such as the construction of dams to optimize water use, the protection of groundwater, and soil erosion protection work.
As part of the previous Regional Development Program (PDR), water resource management and environmental preservation were taken into consideration. Significant initiatives, such as implementing flood protection projects, improving energy efficiency in public buildings, and reusing wastewater for green space irrigation; improving water resource management and mitigating water stress through dam construction; and preserving and enhancing regional biodiversity, clearly reflect the region's commitment to promoting sustainability.
Simultaneously, the region is developing the Regional Waste Management Master Plan, covering various categories of waste such as industrial, medical, non-hazardous pharmaceutical, ultimate, agricultural, and inert waste, representing a major advancement in waste management.
The new PDR continues this trajectory by aligning its strategic axes with national priorities. Within the framework of Axis 5 of the new Regional Development Plan (PDR), the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region clearly shows its concern for climate change resilience and environmental protection. Furthermore, under Axis 1 of the new PDR, dedicated to economic development, the region incorporates the orientations of the Green Generation 2020-2030 strategy. This demonstrates a strategic vision aligned with national sustainable development goals.
Internal governance structure
Morocco, like all countries, is experiencing the effects of climate change, with specific challenges due to its geographical position and diverse ecosystems. Therefore, our country was among the first to join the global awareness effort, established by the Rio Summit, by ratifying relevant international conventions and adopting national action programs on this matter. We have also placed environmental issues at the heart of our development programs, particularly those concerning water, by following a pioneering and anticipatory policy for mobilizing our water resources and combating floods and drought. Strategic sectoral development plans have emerged, especially in the fields of agricultural development and environmental protection, as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy development. By adopting this sustainable development model, Morocco reaffirms its strong commitment to the international effort to combat greenhouse gas-induced warming. In fact, the situation has reached a level of severity that makes a stronger collective commitment imperative to ensure the survival of humanity and safeguard our Planet Earth.
Various departments in Morocco have mobilized resources to combat greenhouse gas induced warming issues, water resource challenges with floods and other climate issues, including:
Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
Ministry of Equipment and Water
National Agency for Water and Forests
Hydraulic Basin Agencies of the region
Within the region, a department dedicated to territorial development and the environment has been established.
Recent and Projected Impacts: MCAP Priority Climate Risks
Drought: The region is experiencing recurrent droughts, which significantly impact water availability and agricultural productivity. The drought conditions are exacerbated by rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation patterns, leading to water scarcity and stress on local ecosystems.
Extreme Heat: Higher temperatures are becoming more frequent due to climate change, leading to heatwaves that affect human health, agriculture, and the overall quality of life. These extreme heat events pose a particular risk to vulnerable populations and strain energy resources due to increased demand for cooling.
Wildfires: While wildfires are not as prevalent in Rabat-Salé-Kénitra as in some other regions, the increasing temperatures and prolonged dry periods heighten the risk of wildfires. These fires can cause substantial damage to natural landscapes, agriculture, and human settlements, further stressing the region's resources and infrastructure.