Morocco in the world's top 10 in environmental sustainability
- Artificial Intelligence: a powerful tool for learning and decision making
- How can Artificial Intelligence drive these initiatives?
Pharaonic investments by the Moroccan government and the Royal Court over the last decade have consolidated the country in the world's top 10 in climate performance. Morocco's focus on achieving zero emissions, improving energy efficiency and accelerating the production of renewable energy have received the ninth best ranking globally from Germanwatch, in collaboration with the Climate Action Network and the NewClimate Institute, the CICC, which evaluates countries' efforts to combat climate change.
The country is considered one of the countries with the highest contribution of renewable energy for domestic consumption. Since the start of the national strategy ordered by King Mohammed VI to reduce carbon emissions, the country has gone from relying 89% on fossil fuels to 55%.
As a result, renewable energy has risen from 11% to 45%, which has seen Morocco climb more than 70 places in the ranking of renewable energy use over the past 25 years, making it one of the highest in the world, and the highest on the African continent.
Divided into solar, wind and hydro, Morocco's renewables reached their best records when green hydrogen was introduced as another source of clean energy.
Nevertheless, Moroccan energy still relies heavily on fossil fuels, which account for most of the country's energy consumption. Experts recommend reducing the use of fossil fuels and promoting the development of solar and wind energy projects.
To stay the course, the experts recommend in the report that policies should be strengthened to reduce the use of fossil fuels and promote solar and wind energy projects, while maintaining strict standards on society and the environment. They also called for greater support for solar energy, improved drip irrigation systems, the use of solar pumps to reduce water wastage and fuel use, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
The agricultural sector is one of the pillars of the Moroccan economy, and efforts are being made to mitigate the possible effects that climate change may have on it. To this end, the government is committed to providing more support for solar energy and improving drip irrigation systems.
In particular, the study points out that the agricultural sector needs to adopt more sustainable practices, such as using drought-resistant crops and reducing the use of diesel pumps, for two main reasons: environmental concerns and compliance with international obligations.
On environmental issues, Morocco's mountainous regions face serious environmental challenges, especially when it comes to biomass production, experts say, noting that deforestation causes soil erosion, leading to flooding and destruction of infrastructure, severely affecting natural ecosystems and local communities. A problem it is solving better than any other country with constant investment in R&D&I and the application of artificial intelligence tools.
In the case of international obligations, it is rather to meet the commitments associated with the quest for the total elimination of carbon emissions by 2030. Morocco set itself the ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5% by 2030, and it is on track.
Artificial Intelligence: a powerful tool for learning and decision making
Artificial intelligence (AI) works by analysing large amounts of data, learning patterns and making decisions. They use algorithms and mathematical models to continuously improve by gathering more information. Basically, AI learns from your experiences and helps you perform better at tasks ranging from image recognition to trend forecasting. There are different types of artificial intelligence: some are designed for specific tasks, while others are more advanced and try to mimic human thinking.
To use artificial intelligence effectively, it is important to know what we want to achieve and to ensure that the artificial intelligence can access high-quality data. Transparency and specificity will help us get better answers when interacting with artificial intelligence as virtual assistants. It is also important to use artificial intelligence in an ethical way, taking into account privacy and avoiding bias, to ensure that its use is fair and beneficial to all.
Morocco's transition to clean and renewable energy creates opportunities for the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in several important ways. Given that 65% of the working age population is aware of AI tools - ChatGPT - and 40% of them use them on a daily basis, their application and integration into society and businesses is a relatively simple task to undertake.
Countries with younger and more digitally and technologically inclined populations will be more enthusiastic. More worryingly, countries with negative media coverage of AI will also have less in this environment. A country's level of digital competitiveness affects consumer attitudes towards artificial intelligence. This concern is intensified in countries with digitally competitive economies: countries with access to knowledge, technology and preparedness for the future.
How can Artificial Intelligence drive these initiatives?
AI, within its myriad of possibilities, can help optimise renewable energy production, predict energy output from solar and wind farms and dynamically adjust operations to improve efficiency. BCG's survey highlighted that 75% of global respondents have used ChatGPT or other AI-based services, and this trend is reflected in Morocco's business sector.
Artificial intelligence is needed to manage smart grids, balancing supply and demand and ensuring that renewable energy is integrated into the grid without compromising stability, as well as to analyse data to predict energy infrastructure problems or maintenance needs, reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
Not only that, but it is also able to find the optimal conditions for hydrogen production and storage by modelling and optimising complex processes, which favours the development of new technologies such as energy storage and green hydrogen, the latter being one of the renewable energy sources in which the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development is investing the most since 2022.
It can even improve energy efficiency in various sectors, from industry to households, by monitoring and analysing consumption patterns and providing personalised recommendations for businesses and households to reduce energy consumption.
In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence technologies in various business functions has increased significantly. Systems can perform complex tasks that require flexible and skilful decision-making, strategic planning and even creative problem solving.
While AI can perform complex tasks 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it cannot act as a CEO. Entrepreneurs still need to use intuition and empathy to solve people's problems. However, these tools can be a valuable ally for managers, helping them to make informed decisions and increase efficiency.
The country intends to play an important role in the fight against climate change, as it has done so far this century. Therefore, the use and development of artificial intelligence can significantly accelerate Morocco's energy transition, improve efficiency, reduce costs and better integrate renewable energy into the country's energy mix, leading it to meet its zero emission targets by 2030.