DR ‹ › As the world grapples with the dual challenge of feeding a population expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Morocco is emerging as a key player at the intersection of food security and climate action, according to an article published by the World Economic Forum. Morocco stands out as one of the world's leading fertilizer producers and a top-five global exporter, holding around 70% of global phosphate reserves, a resource essential to soil fertility and global food production. Phosphates, alongside nitrogen and potassium, are described as «essential nutrients underpinning productivity and global food security», while the development of low-carbon fertilizers is seen as a crucial tool to help farmers adapt to climate stress. This strategic role is closely aligned with Morocco's climate commitments. Under its updated nationally determined contribution (NDC), the country has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 21.6% unconditionally and up to 53% with international support by 2035, compared to 2010 levels. The report notes that the phosphate sector alone accounts for 9% of Morocco's total mitigation target, underscoring its importance in the low-carbon transition. To meet rising global food demand, Morocco's phosphate giant OCP Group plans to increase fertilizer production from 12 million tons in 2024 to 20 million tons by 2027, while aiming for carbon neutrality across all three emissions scopes by 2040—despite fertilizers being considered a «hard-to-abate» sector. OCP's renewable arm aims to deploy more than 1.2 GW of clean energy capacity by 2027, supplying mining and industrial operations with 100% renewable power, while desalination is set to cover all industrial water needs. Beyond industrial strategy, Morocco's farmer-centered programmes are already delivering measurable results. Initiatives such as Tourba and Al Moutmir, led by OCP, have achieved yield gains of up to 23%, profitability increases exceeding 50%, and carbon sequestration of up to 1.4 tons per hectare, the article notes. The report concludes that Morocco's experience shows food security and decarbonization are not competing objectives but deeply interconnected, offering a model that could inspire other developing economies facing similar challenges.
