Kick-off meeting for the development of the NCAP in Morocco

Rabat, Morocco – May 27, 2025

Today marked the successful launch of a pivotal meeting in Rabat, Morocco, for the development of the country’s National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cool Coalition and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), and supported by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). Held at the Ibis Rabat Agdal Hotel, the event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Moroccan Ministries and agencies, the broader sustainable development ecosystem, and national experts.

The NCAP is a vital framework that addresses Morocco’s growing cooling demands in a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient manner. NCAPs are specific operational frameworks, designed to implement cooling measures on the ground through targeted policies, programmes, and technologies. This initiative is particularly significant, as Morocco faces increasing temperatures due to climate change, rapid urbanization, and a growing need for cooling across various sectors, including space cooling, healthcare, food, and industrial processes.

The event featured insightful opening speeches from prominent figures # Ms. Myriem Touhami Kadiri, Programme Manager, Climate Change Division, UNEP, highlighted the global importance of NCAPs in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development. #Ms. Hafsa Lakhlifi, Director of Circular Economy and Pollution Control, emphasized Morocco’s commitment to tackling environmental challenges and the crucial role of sustainable cooling in achieving national goals. #Ms. Hind Abdaoui, Head of Service at the Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency Department at the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and Board of Trustees of RCREEE in Morocco, underscored the national vision for a sustainable energy future and the integration of the NCAP within broader energy strategies. #Mr. Abdelali Dakkina, CCAC National Coordinator, spoke about the synergies between the NCAP and Morocco’s commitments under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

Following the opening remarks, the sessions provided a comprehensive overview of the NCAP development process:

• Global Prospective and Comprehensive Regional Approach of NCAP Development
• Vision for Morocco NCAP Development (Morocco’s NCAP Workplan – Overview of the NCAP Steering Committee) followed byan interactive session, fostering valuable feedback and insights from participants.

The Consultant Team detailed the modelling methodologies that will underpin the NCAP, outlining the next steps and action plan for its development, in addition to presenting the action plan for data collection, crucial for a robust technical demand assessment across various sectors.

The event concluded with further open discussions, ensuring a collaborative approach to the development of Morocco’s NCAP.

This kick-off meeting marks a significant step forward in Morocco’s commitment to leading the sustainable cooling transition, aligning with its global pledges, including the Global Cooling Pledge, Methane Pledge, and Kigali Amendment.

The Global Cooling Pledge represents the world’s first collective commitment to reducing cooling-related emissions by over 60% by 2050, while also expanding equitable access to cooling. Currently, 42 countries developing or implementing NCAPs under the Global Cooling Pledge implementation. This new programme in Morocco adds to the momentum, helping mainstream sustainable cooling in the MENA region.

With the upcoming round of NDCs due in 2025 and 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) on the horizon, the importance of aligning cooling solutions with national climate policies to ensure their effectiveness and scalability is critical not only for achieving global temperature targets but also for addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable communities increasingly exposed to extreme heat. The NCAP will be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient cooling future for Morocco.