Strengthening climate governance: the Court of Auditors calls for direct control by the Head of Government

In its 2023-2024 annual report, the Court of Auditors recommended placing the National Commission on Climate Change and Biological Diversity under the direct supervision of the Head of Government. This measure aims to strengthen the management of climate issues in Morocco, underlining the strategic importance of the commission for the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.

The Court of Auditors also recommended putting in place effective coordination mechanisms between the different stakeholders. These measures aim to update national climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, by defining specific, measurable and temporal objectives, as well as rigorous monitoring and evaluation methods to ensure their implementation.

One of the major axes of the recommendations concerns the need to develop specific territorial adaptation plans for each region, with clearly defined objectives and resources allocated to achieve them. The Court emphasized that the absence of such a framework constitutes an obstacle to the effectiveness of local actions in the face of the impacts of climate change.

In terms of financing, the Court suggested strengthening the role of the private sector in climate investments. This requires the establishment of adequate incentives and the establishment of a more solid public-private partnership framework, with a view to supporting mitigation and adaptation projects to the effects of climate change.

The report also highlights persistent difficulties in implementing climate actions, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and drinking water supply. The Court recommended greater synergy between agricultural strategies and climate policies, while accelerating the implementation of irrigation projects using unconventional water.

Finally, the Court of Auditors recommended updating the legal and institutional framework governing various sectors linked to the environment, in particular the management of water resources and the litigation of local authorities. These measures aim to improve the management of local public services and optimize the use of resources for sustainable development of the country.

M.Ba.