As a first step in implementing the Paris Agreement -and ahead of its Presidency- Morocco, along with 175 nations participated in the high-level signing ceremony which took place at the United Nations on April 22nd 2016.
In hosting the upcoming COP-22 global climate conference in Marrakech, the Kingdom of Morocco delivered its statement. Backed by ambitious, comprehensive Intended Nationally Determined Contributions Morocco is on track to exceed its 2020 renewable energy targets and achieve 52% of renewable electricity generation capacity by 2030. In order for these objectives to be binding, countries will need to adopt the “Paris Agreement” within their own legal systems, through ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. The agreement will enter into force when joined by at least 55 countries, which together represent at least 55% of global emissions. The ceremony took place on International Mother Earth Day.
The Paris Agreement’s main goals are:
- Prevent an increase in global mean temperature of more than 2 degrees Celsius, and push for a tougher 1.5 degree Celsius limit, compared with pre-industrial levels
- Require countries to set their own national targets beginning in 2020
- Mandate reporting, including a non-binding transparency to show if countries are meeting their targets
- Allocate funding for small island countries most affected by rising water levels -- without assigning liability or implying any nations in particular must compensate them
- Creation of a $100 billion per-year fund, not included in the agreement, but made as commitments by wealthy countries and the private sector, to offset the cost of changing technology and climate damage to poor countries
The plan goes into effect 30 days after the required countries ratify it, but a nation may not withdraw for three years, and then only after giving one year's notice.
