SwitchMed in Morocco

United Nations 2 years ago

The Moroccan Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plan (SCP-NAP) was developed under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development under the EU-funded SwitchMed Programme, with advisory services and technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme. The Plan is part of Morocco’s efforts to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The SCPNAP(SDG12.1) addresses two priority sectors, the Sector Plan on Food and Agriculture and the Sector Plan on Building and Construction were developed in Morocco through nationally owned multi-stakeholder processes. The SCP-NAP of Morocco has been integrated in the Moroccan National Sustainable Development Strategy and implementation is currently on-going.   Switch to Circular Economy: Under SwitchMed II, a short document "How Morocco is switching to a Circular Economy" was prepared to present an overview on how the country is implementing activities/policies/programs on SCP and Circular Economy. In this document you will see 10 success stories inspired by the work of SwitchMed in the Kingdom of Morocco. They show how what began in workshops developed into plans that created a ripple that flowed out around the country. This short publication shows that opportunities for countries from sustainable consumption and production are rich and varied. The Switch to SCP is off and running. SwitchMed is proud to have supported Morocco in its work to build a society where people and planet thrive and prosper together. Morocco has developed a national strategy for sustainable development that has SCP at its core. By building on the foundations laid in its National Action Plan, the country hopes to expand its work on circular economic models, on waste reduction and recycling, and on building a its blue economy as a pillar of development. It is clear that sustainable consumption and production is no longer just something discussed in meeting rooms. Now it is happening on the ground, across business and industry, in cities and regions, reducing pollution, improving the air we breathe, and promoting better use of nature’s gifts through resource-efficient and low- carbon consumption and production practices.
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layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 10 hours ago



The UK’s latest review on greenhouse gas removals sets a defined trajectory toward net-zero carbon buildings by 2050, placing greater emphasis on a diversified approach that values both engineered technologies and nature-based solutions. This policy direction highlights the necessity of integrating whole life carbon assessments into every stage of sustainable building design. By examining embodied carbon in materials alongside operational emissions, the review promotes a shift toward net zero whole life carbon thinking. This reinforces the wider industry momentum towards decarbonising the built environment through robust measurement, transparent data and accountable policy guidance.

Within the construction and waste management sectors, new partnerships are driving environmental sustainability in construction practice. The collaboration between the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and the Circular Economy Institute exemplifies how circular economy in construction principles are redefining project life cycles. These programmes champion eco-design for buildings, ensuring materials are specified for reuse and recycling at end-of-life. Such circular construction strategies are vital in reducing the carbon footprint of construction and strengthening the resilience of resource efficiency in construction workflows.

Digital transformation is accelerating the pace of greener practice. Site management platforms and data intelligence tools are enhancing building lifecycle performance by identifying inefficiencies that lead to material waste and unnecessary emissions. These advances align with broader sustainable design methodologies that combine lifecycle assessment and life cycle cost evaluation, ensuring that capital investment and long-term sustainability targets align. The integration of data-led systems supports sustainable building practices, low carbon design optimisation and transparent environmental product declarations (EPDs), helping firms meet stricter carbon reporting standards.

Industry leaders are calling for greater adoption of renewable building materials and low embodied carbon materials to close the gap between ambition and implementation. Research into low carbon construction materials is expanding, supporting eco-friendly construction models that meet BREEAM and BREEAM v7 benchmarks. Sustainable material specification now plays a decisive role in driving low-impact construction projects that advance green infrastructure and sustainable urban development. The growth of the circular economy provides opportunities for end-of-life reuse in construction, minimising waste and extending material lifespans through design foresight.

Momentum in sustainable construction remains strong, yet fragile. Ongoing challenges in policy clarity, financial investment and standardisation risk slowing progress. The industry’s success depends on embedding whole life carbon methodologies across the project chain—from initial concept to demolition and reconstruction. Achieving carbon neutral construction requires cohesive collaboration between architects, engineers, waste specialists and digital modellers grounded in life cycle thinking in construction. As global attention turns toward COP30, the built environment’s contribution to climate resilience will be measured not by rhetoric but by tangible reductions in the environmental impact of construction and sustained innovation across green building products, technologies and governance.

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