Morocco in danger of failing the decarbonization challenge? [FULL]

Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Omar ASSIF
Published on 2024-04-06 09:12:00

It is a new report from Greenpeace that throws a stone into the pond of African silent air pollution. Entitled “The main air polluters in Africa unmasked”, the report – jointly carried out by Greenpeace MENA and Greenpeace Africa – reveals shocking data on the continent’s biggest atmospheric polluters and highlights that “Africans are facing a public health crisis that requires immediate action from governments”. Through this work, readers can learn that out of the 10 major SO2 emission hotspots in Africa, two are located in Morocco. In the dozens of maps and infographics published by the report authors, it is easy to find other information related to mortality due to air pollution, confirming figures previously published by the World Bank stating that in our country, over 8500 deaths are annually caused by air pollution.

“Incredible effort to be made”

In a previous issue, the president of the association Casa Environnement, Prof. Saïd Sebti, explained to us that “in most cases, air pollution levels recorded in Morocco exceed the new recommended air pollution thresholds by the WHO. This is the case especially in Moroccan cities, including Casablanca, where industrial units are located within the city limits.” Commenting on the current pace of environmental transition implementation at the national level, our interviewee, who was previously a professor at the Faculty of Sciences in Casablanca-Ben M’sik, emphasizes the urgency to accelerate ongoing projects, noting that there is “an incredible effort to be made, particularly in the area of urban transport”. In a context where the Kingdom is preparing to boost its economy and development through the organization of the 2030 World Cup, the decarbonization of public transport should theoretically be a priority. However, our sources have revealed the exact opposite.

Investors resigning?

“For the period 2024-2029, the Ministry of the Interior is currently preparing to place an order for the purchase of 3709 buses, of which only 0.8% are electric (30 vehicles) and are intended for use in several cities that are currently expected to host World Cup matches,” explains a source close to the matter, adding that “this direction has encouraged groups like BYD to decide to leave Morocco to invest elsewhere.” Several media outlets have indeed reported in the past 24 hours that the Chinese manufacturer is in the process of officially disengaging from the project to establish an electric battery plant at Tanger Tech due to the “slow transition of public transport companies to electric buses.” “The lifespan of a bus in urban areas is at least 10 years, which will condemn Morocco to operate diesel buses until 2040, while the production of these types of vehicles will stop from 2030 and spare parts will be discontinued by 2035,” our source states.

Missed opportunity?

Contacted by us, Mr. Hassan Sentissi, president of the Sustainable Development Holding (HDD) which carries a project for the production of electric buses Made in Morocco, considers it shameful to spend taxpayers’ money in 2024 to buy hundreds of diesel buses. “The recent report on air pollution in Africa is another reminder that urges us to consider sustainable mobility as a vital issue. The decision-maker may argue that thermal buses are cheaper or produced locally, but this argument is deceptive. Electric buses are financially more accessible than ever and our country has what it takes to produce them locally for its needs and for those of other countries, particularly at the African level,” continues the HDD president. At this stage, it is entirely legitimate to question the interest of continuing to order thermal buses which, in addition to being polluting, are more expensive to maintain and mainly consume imported hydrocarbons. This is a story to follow.

Read the original article(French) on L’Opinion