Morocco is at a crucial juncture in its economic and social trajectory. Faced with the rapid intensification of climate change effects, the Kingdom is called upon to successfully transition to a greener economy, capable of both preserving its natural resources and generating sustainable jobs. This is one of the central findings of the National Diagnostic on Green Economy Jobs, developed by the International Labour Organization with support from the High Commission for Planning.
On the climate front, the signals are unequivocal. Classified among the “hotspots” of global warming, Morocco has recorded a temperature increase since the 1960s that exceeds the global average. Projections suggest an increase of up to 3.5°C by 2050, and potentially more in the long term, with direct consequences for water resources, agriculture, health, and labor productivity. The declining trend in precipitation, combined with greater irregularity of rainfall, places the country among the most exposed territories to water stress, while the coastal areas, where a significant part of economic activity is concentrated, are increasingly vulnerable to erosion and rising sea levels.
In response to these constraints, Morocco has initiated an ambitious climate and energy strategy. The country has set high targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing renewable energy, leveraging its solar and wind potential to transform its energy mix. This transition opens new economic perspectives, but it also entails risks, particularly related to the growing environmental demands of its trading partners, especially in Europe, through mechanisms like carbon border adjustments.
Economically, the diagnosis is more mixed. While some sectors related to the green transition, such as energy, water, and certain industries, have experienced strong growth in value-added in recent years, this dynamic has not translated into sufficient job creation. Moroccan growth remains low in labor intensity, and the structural transformation of the economy progresses slowly, keeping a significant portion of the workforce engaged in low-productivity activities, particularly in agriculture and the informal sector.
Thus, the labor market remains under pressure. Despite the growth of economic activity, the country has faced a structural job creation deficit for two decades, while the integration of young people and women remains one of the major weaknesses of the current model. The female participation rate is among the lowest in the world, and a high proportion of youth remains outside of employment, education, and training. The informal economy, though declining slightly, continues to play a central role, especially in trade, construction, and transport.
In this context, the transition to a green economy appears both as a necessity and an opportunity. It can become a driver for job creation, skills development, and reduction of inequalities, provided it is accompanied by coherent public policies that integrate training, social protection, and the inclusion of the most vulnerable populations. The report emphasizes that the success of this transition will not only be measured by the reduction in emissions or the share of renewables, but also by the country’s ability to make the green economy a lever for social development and sustainable employment.
Morocco thus faces a complex equation: adapting its economic model to an increasingly constraining climate environment, accelerating its productive transformation, and addressing persistent social challenges. The green economy is no longer a strategic option, but a necessary path, the success of which will depend as much on the quality of employment policies as on environmental ambition.
With SNRTnews.