It is difficult for societies to thrive in a world of poverty, inequality, unrest and environmental stress. This means that there is a vital interest in ensuring that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved. By upholding recognised standards and principles on human rights, labour, renewable resources, and anti-corruption, countries make an essential contribution to the SDGs. In the case of Morocco, the Kingdom is making strong progress towards affordable and sustainable energy in line with SDG number 7.
The government of Morocco has stepped up its role in international action on climate change, ratifying the Paris Agreement, partnering up with theEuropean Union (EU), and setting a new national climate policy. The country has a huge potential in renewable sources, which combined with its expertise will provide momentum to the development of a green hydrogen economy. The MoroccanMinistry of Energy, Mines, and Environment set out a roadmap on green hydrogen in 2021 under the National Hydrogen Commission. This strategy includes the creation of favourable conditions for hydrogen export, the development of domestic markets, and financing. The development of these renewables will improve energy security as well as reaching Morocco’s clean energy commitments.
In the future, Morocco aims to supply large quantities of solar energy and hydrogen to Europe and thus pave the way for climate neutrality. This is also one of the reasons why the EU and Morocco have established a GreenPartnership. It is the first of its kind and an important recognition ofMorocco’s leadership in the green energy transition. Impact Hydrogen works closely together with partners in Morocco to advance this hydrogen economy. Our geographical focus in Morocco is the Oriental Region, because of its well-positioned location relative to Europe and its advantageous relations with the Netherlands.
In addition, Impact Hydrogen aims to take sustainability initiatives to the next level by developing bespoke Hydrogen Valleys. Here, the hydrogen value chain enables the mobilisation of human capital, education, and technical expertise. This aggregation of technological and human capital follows the principles of Impact by Design: distribution of value among the chain-actors is equitable and aimed at the acceleration of the attainment of the SDG objectives.
As such, a Hydrogen Valley contributes to the production and access to clean energy (SDG 7) and clean water (SDG 6) and thus embodies climate action (SDG 13). It is also a way to enable access to education (SDG 4), promote sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and accelerate economic growth (SDG 8) in order to reach the regions’ full potential. So not only is green hydrogen aiming for climate neutrality, it also directly improves the livelihoods, quality of life, and the resilience of local communities and households.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6362
https://www.iea.org/countries/morocco
https://gh2.org/countries/morocco
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6362
