Development of a climate protection and adaptation center

Context Due to its geographical situation, Morocco is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country has been committed to mitigating these impacts since signing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992.An initial national greenhouse gas inventory was completed in 1994, and Morocco’s national plan for combating global warming (PNRC) was presented in Copenhagen in 2009. The plan reflects the country’s intention to remain a low-level emitter of greenhouse gas emissions despite rapid economic growth. There is currently no formal climate change mitigation structure in place at either national or regional level. The climate competence centre is being set up to address this issue.Objective Through the establishment of a climate competence centre, Morocco is in a better position to implement and further develop its national climate policy.Approach The project aims to define the roles and tasks of the climate competence centre at regional and national level through consultation with the relevant partners. It assesses demand and provides support in the training of experts, along with any necessary equipment. So that the Moroccan institutions can systematically assess, document and disseminate successful measures already in place, the project shares examples of good practice with them and provides detailed information on methodologies, costs and results.In addition, instruments are being developed that will help to establish a sustainable knowledge management system in the field of greenhouse gases and adaptation to climate change. This work includes:establishing a climate database;developing vulnerability indicators;identifying, processing and disseminating data and tools which can be used in training in the climate field (climate proofing, NAMAs);drawing up a list of contacts who are responsible for ensuring climate risks are taken into account in territorial and sectoral planning;developing an information system to facilitate the systematic development of greenhouse gas inventories and therefore make it easier to draft the national report in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;creating and regularly updating a website for the climate competence centre. The aim is to train at least 20 national experts, whose role it will be to disseminate information on Moroccan climate policy, potential adaptation and mitigation measures, and services provided by the climate competence centre. Officials from the competent ministries, including those operating at regional and local level, are to receive training to familiarise them with developments in these areas. An awareness raising campaign is being carried out, targeting decision-makers operating at local level as well as private sector companies, civil society and the media.At international level, the project supports climate policy dialogue with other Maghreb countries, Germany and the EU, and ensures that the private sector, the research community and civil society are brought on board. A partnership agreement is to be signed that will include provisions for at least one similar centre in Europe.Results achieved so far GIZ has advised and trained the Moroccan delegation in preparation for the international climate talks. A national green investment strategy has been developed and the delegation is now in a strong position to represent its interests at the climate summit in New York (2014).

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