Errachidia – The challenges inherent in adapting to climate change in the Drâa-Tafilalet region and the sectoral plans and strategies implemented to overcome environmental impacts were highlighted during a meeting organised on Thursday in Errachidia, in the presence of representatives of the concerned departments, experts, academics, and civil society actors.
Organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of the Environment, under the theme "Together for climate-resilient territorial development of the Drâa-Tafilalet region", this meeting allowed for an exchange on the best practices capable of meeting the challenges weighing on the environment in the Drâa-Tafilalet region in a context marked by rising temperatures, the intensification of extreme events, and the scarcity of water resources.
Speaking on this occasion, the project manager for the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNA) at the UNDP, Jalal El Moata, indicated that this meeting is part of the communication and awareness-raising activities on climate change issues, particularly in regions highly vulnerable to climate challenges, including that of Drâa-Tafilalet.
The UNDP has launched an ambitious project aimed at supporting the planning and financing of climate change adaptation in Morocco, Mr. El Moata continued, noting that Drâa-Tafilalet is one of five pilot regions, namely Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi, Beni Mellal-Khénifra, and the Oriental, which are benefiting from this project. The project aims to equip these regions with climate-resilient adaptation and development plans, to integrate climate issues into territorial development strategies, and to develop solid and bankable environmental projects.
For his part, the Regional Director of the Environment, Mohamed Belaghrissi, welcomed the fruitful collaboration between the Department of Sustainable Development and the UNDP within the framework of several projects aimed at the enhancement and protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development.
"Adaptation to climate change is no longer a choice, but rather an obligation," insisted Mr. Belaghrissi, noting that Drâa-Tafilalet is one of the regions experiencing worrying climate vulnerability, hence adaptation to climate change has become a top priority.
The Kingdom is undertaking colossal efforts to strengthen its resilience and adaptation to climate change and to face the potential socio-economic impacts of these extreme events, indicated Mr. Belaghrissi, citing in this sense several promising programmes, notably the National Climate Plan (PCN) and the National Strategic Adaptation Plan (PNSA) by 2030, aiming at the implementation of coherent and effective policies and measures at the national, territorial, and local levels.
He added that regional actors remain the best placed to design and implement development strategies at the local level to combat the harmful effects of climate change, notably through the promotion of renewable energies, the strengthening of the circular economy, the safeguarding of biodiversity, and soil conservation.
For his part, the representative of the Guir-Ziz-Rheris Hydraulic Basin Agency highlighted the Agency's actions in terms of preserving and protecting water resources, the natural environment, and fragile zones, as well as the measures taken to ensure better management of water supply and demand and the enhancement of this vital resource.
He also addressed the actions carried out by the Agency, notably concerning the construction and expansion of flood warning systems, protection against flooding, feasibility studies for small dams, and work related to the artificial groundwater recharge system.
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