Moroccan Environmental Law and Policy Implementation

Posted on Nov 21, 2025 in Business Administration and Management (BAM)

Moroccan Environmental Law and Policy

1. Defining Environmental Governance and UNEP’s Role

Question: Define environmental governance and explain UNEP’s contribution.

Answer:

Environmental governance refers to the laws, policies, institutions, and decision-making processes that direct how a country manages its natural resources and environmental challenges. It ensures fairness, accountability, and sustainability in environmental management.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) strengthens global environmental governance by:

  • Helping countries build strong legal frameworks.
  • Supporting integrated policies.
  • Assisting in implementing environmental agreements.
  • Promoting cooperation among governments to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2. Constitutional Basis for Environmental Protection (2011)

Question: Two articles from the 2011 Moroccan Constitution related to the environment.

Answer:

The 2011 Moroccan Constitution establishes fundamental environmental rights and responsibilities:

  • Article 31: Guarantees all citizens the right to water and a healthy environment. It requires the State to take actions to protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and support sustainable development.
  • Article 35: Highlights the importance of lasting human development and requires the preservation of national natural resources for future generations, linking environmental protection to social justice and economic responsibility.

3. Water Management: Law 10-95 and Expansion by Law 36-15

Question: Main objectives of Water Law 10-95 and how Law 36-15 expanded it.

Answer:

Water Law 10-95 Objectives:

  • Introduced integrated water management.
  • Ensured fair water access and pollution control.
  • Established river basin agencies.
  • Aimed to protect water as a public good and reduce urban–rural inequalities.

Expansion by Law 36-15:

Law 36-15 strengthened these concepts by:

  • Making the right to water stronger.
  • Promoting participation of local actors.
  • Introducing the polluter-pays and user-pays principles.
  • Supporting desalination and non-conventional water sources.
  • Improving water information systems for better planning.

4. Key Moroccan Environmental Legislation

Question: Three key Moroccan environmental laws and their focus.

Answer:

  1. Law 12-03 (Environmental Impact Assessments – EIAs): Requires EIAs to assess environmental risks before projects are approved.
  2. Law 13-03 (Air Pollution Control): Regulates air pollution from industries and vehicles through established standards and permits.
  3. Law 28-00 (Waste Management): Establishes rules for managing solid and hazardous waste, including collection, transport, and disposal.

Challenges and Implementation of Environmental Policy

5. Main Challenges in Policy Implementation

Question: Two main challenges Morocco faces in implementing environmental policies.

Answer:

Morocco faces significant hurdles in effective policy implementation:

  1. Weak Enforcement: Many local agencies lack the necessary funding, staff, and equipment to monitor activities effectively.
  2. Poor Coordination: Lack of coordination between ministries and agencies leads to overlaps, delays, and ineffective policy implementation, particularly in complex areas like coastal and marine management.

6. Environmental Rights and Responsibilities in the Constitution

Question: How the 2011 Constitution makes environmental protection a right and responsibility.

Answer:

  • As a Right: It guarantees access to water and a healthy environment (Article 31).
  • As a Responsibility: The State, local authorities, and citizens must all participate in environmental decision-making and sustainable development (Article 139). This establishes a framework for shared environmental governance.

Institutional Actors in Moroccan Environmental Governance

7. Roles of Key Government Actors

Question: Three government actors and their roles.

Answer:

Key governmental institutions involved in environmental management include:

  • Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water & Environment: Designs national environmental strategies and oversees the implementation of laws.
  • High Commission for Water and Forests: Manages forest resources, protected areas, biodiversity, and anti-desertification programs.
  • Ministry of Agriculture: Integrates sustainability into agriculture and fisheries and manages natural resources linked to farming practices.

8. Parliamentary Challenges in Environmental Lawmaking

Question: Two challenges Parliament faces when creating environmental laws.

Answer:

  1. Lack of Technical Expertise: Parliament often lacks specialized technical knowledge required to properly analyze complex environmental issues and draft robust legislation.
  2. Ensuring Enforcement: Parliament faces challenges ensuring proper implementation and enforcement, as passing laws alone is insufficient without strong institutions dedicated to applying them.

9. Role and Limitations of NGOs and the Private Sector

Question: Role of NGOs and the private sector + their limitations.

Answer:

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):

NGOs raise awareness, monitor environmental problems, and advocate for stronger protection. However, they often lack stable funding and independence, limiting their long-term impact.

The Private Sector:

The private sector influences policies through investments and development projects. A key limitation is the need to balance business interests with environmental regulations, which frequently creates conflicts.

10. Policy Gaps and Steps for Improved Enforcement

Question: Policy gaps in Morocco and steps to improve enforcement.

Answer:

Persistent Gaps:

  • Weak enforcement mechanisms.
  • Poor coordination between institutions.
  • Limited monitoring capabilities.
  • Lack of strong marine protection laws.

Steps for Improvement:

Improvement requires:

  • Stronger inspections and sanctions.
  • Better institutional cooperation.
  • Increased funding for environmental agencies.
  • Increased public participation and awareness campaigns.

Environmental Policy Formulation and Assessment

11. Defining Policy Purpose and Goals

Question: Three main elements when defining the purpose and goals of a policy.

Answer:

  1. Problem Identification: Clearly identify the specific environmental problem the policy will address.
  2. Objective Setting: Set measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that define what the policy should achieve.
  3. Alignment: Align the policy with national priorities and international goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

12. Importance of Stakeholder Analysis

Question: Why stakeholder analysis is important and who the key stakeholders are.

Answer:

Stakeholder analysis is crucial because it ensures that the policy is practical, fair, and supported by those affected. It helps identify diverse interests, potential conflicts, and specific responsibilities.

Key Stakeholders Include:

  • Government agencies (national and local).
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
  • Private sector actors (industry, developers).
  • Scientists and academic experts.
  • Local communities and civil society.

13. Types of Environmental Impact Assessments

Question: Two types of impact assessments and what they evaluate.

Answer:

  1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Evaluates how a proposed project or policy will affect natural resources, air quality, water, soil, and biodiversity.
  2. Socioeconomic Impact Assessment: Analyzes how communities, employment, public health, and the local economy will be affected by the proposed action.

14. Role of Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks

Question: Role of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Answer:

Monitoring and evaluation frameworks are essential tools that:

  • Track the policy’s progress using defined indicators.
  • Show whether established goals are being met.
  • Help identify problems or unintended consequences early.

This process allows the government to adjust or improve the policy when necessary, ensuring adaptive management.

15. Ensuring Policy Adaptability and Improvement

Question: Why environmental policies must be adaptable and how to ensure improvement.

Answer:

Environmental conditions change rapidly due to climate change, technological shifts, or emerging problems. Therefore, policies need to be flexible and adaptable to respond effectively to new information.

To ensure continuous improvement, policies require:

  • Regular reviews and audits.
  • Systematic feedback collection from stakeholders.
  • Periodic updates and revisions based on performance data.