Morocco faces a stark reality in the domain of air pollution, with the nation housing two of Africa’s top 10 hotspots for sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, as per a recent report jointly released by Greenpeace MENA and Greenpeace Africa.
This revelation raises grave health concerns across North Africa, where air pollution already constitutes a significant public health crisis. Titled “Major Air Polluters in Africa Unmasked,” the report underscores the imperative for immediate governmental intervention to tackle the pressing issue.
Focusing on emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and fine particles, the report sheds light on the formation of PM2.5 – minuscule particles associated with a myriad of health ailments and premature mortality.
While refraining from directly linking Morocco to such fatalities, the report pinpoints the country’s power plants in Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar, and Safi as major SO2 emitters.
Previous investigations by Greenpeace Southeast Asia indicate that air pollution stemming from Safi’s coal-fired plant alone could contribute to numerous premature deaths annually.
Despite certain positive developments, such as a substantial reduction in SO2 emissions from Safi and Jorf Lasfar in 2023, Mohammedia’s coal plant witnessed a troubling 54% surge during the same timeframe.
These revelations underscore the imperative for sustainable, long-term solutions. Greenpeace’s research underscores that adhering to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on PM2.5 could substantially enhance life expectancy across North Africa, potentially augmenting Morocco’s average life expectancy by 0.4 years per individual.
Moreover, the report accentuates the economic toll of air pollution, with Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development estimating that environmental degradation drains the nation of a staggering 3.52% of its GDP annually, equating to 32.5 billion dirhams.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Morocco has rolled out the National Air Plan (NAP) spanning until 2030. This comprehensive strategy encompasses technical measures, incentives, legislative reforms, and public awareness drives.
Noteworthy initiatives include the introduction of an environmental tax on plastic and the revamping of the waste management framework to foster recycling practices and curtail waste generation at its source.
Furthermore, the government is extending support to industries transitioning toward greener models by furnishing financial assistance for projects targeting waste treatment.
The quest for pristine air quality in Morocco has just commenced. Only time will ascertain the efficacy of the implemented measures in curbing pollution and safeguarding public health for forthcoming generations.
