The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) established by the European Union raises concerns within the Moroccan industry. Presented as an environmental tool, many industrialists view it as a disguised form of protection for the European market.
Abdelkader Amara, president of the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE), warned on Wednesday about the risks associated with this mechanism during the presentation of the Council’s opinion on the CBAM. According to him, while the direct impact remains limited at this stage—only 3.7% of Moroccan exports to the EU are affected, mainly nitrogen fertilizers—the measure could weaken some strategic sectors in the medium term.
The principle of the CBAM is based on a complex system of CO₂ emissions trading quotas: European companies that exceed their cap must buy additional quotas, whereas those that emit less can sell their surplus. “It’s not Moroccan exporters who pay, but European importers,” clarified Amine Mounir Alaoui, the CESE rapporteur. However, the report highlights that behind this apparent neutrality, the mechanism imposes exclusively European standards, checks, and verifications, often overlooking existing trading systems in third countries. As a result, the CBAM becomes more of a financial tool rather than a genuinely environmental one.
Towards a Proactive National Strategy
In response to this challenge, the CESE calls for transforming constraints into opportunities. Several recommendations have been adopted:
- Create a national monitoring mechanism for the CBAM, integrating all relevant institutions to ensure coordination and responsiveness.
- Support exporting SMEs through a dedicated fund to cover carbon balance costs and assist in the decarbonization of industrial processes.
- Accelerate the energy transition of companies, ensuring access to green electricity and precise monitoring of supply, particularly for medium voltage.
- Establish a national emissions verification system, recognized by the European Union, to reduce certification costs and enhance national competencies in carbon balance calculation.
At the same time, Morocco is preparing its own national carbon tax, built on a gradual transformation of existing taxes to limit economic shocks, with potential revenues estimated between 2.7 and 3 billion dirhams annually.
The Example of OCP: A Model to Follow
Some Moroccan companies are already positioning themselves as pioneers. OCP Group has made significant investments in decarbonization: replacing rail transport with a pipeline, recovering industrial steam, commissioning a wind farm, and aiming for 100% renewable energy supply by 2027. In the medium term, the group aims to capture and valorize 80% of emissions from phosphoric acid production.
Active Climate Diplomacy
Abdelkader Amara also advocates for coordinated diplomatic action. He recommends strengthening Morocco-Africa cooperation to defend the interests of low-emission states and negotiate preferential treatment under the CBAM, as well as a partial reallocation of certificate revenues to support developing countries in adapting to technical requirements.
Time is of the Essence
With the CBAM set to come into force in early 2026, Morocco must accelerate the operationalization of its low-carbon national strategy. Access to green electricity and the national measurement and verification system are still under construction. The challenge is clear: transform a European constraint into a lever for energy transition and industrial competitiveness for the Kingdom while anticipating the extension of the CBAM to other sectors, such as automotive and chemicals, which could directly affect SMEs and microenterprises.
With Le Matin.