Environmentalism in Marrakesh

North Africa has had a lot of bad press over the last decade or so, but there is one nation which stands out. Morocco is blazing its own path in the desert sands, and in one way in particular it is among the countries leading the way. In the middle of the desert, taking advantage of the abundant sunlight, there is now a solar power plant providing over a million people with clean, renewable energy. This is solar power on a scale never seen before. This is just one of the reasons why Morocco has consistently listed highly in the Climate Change Performance Index - it fact it had the third highest performing score!

A jewel in the desert. The Ouarzazate solar power station is the largest in the world. (Photo: Richard Allaway)

Alongside numerous renewable energy projects, and national aims of reaching 52% clean energy use by 2030, the capital of Morocco is also taking big steps. Having recently hosted the COP22 climate change summit, Marrakesh is pushing for, and encouraging eco-tourism. This is no real surprise given that tourism is the second largest source of income in Morocco, but this is a country building a future which continues to embrace tourism, but in a manner which is sustainable.

The bustling markets of Marrakech. (Photo: Juan Antonio Segal)

In order to achieve this Morocco has launched the Vision 2020 Tourism Strategy. A model for tourism which not only concentrates on the growth of the market, but in combination with responsible management of the environment. One way in which you can identify those hotels and boutique accommodation which strive for the best environmental credentials is through the Green Key organisation. Recognised by the World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme, the Green Key is a well established indicator of sustainability in the hospitality industry. Marrakesh with its push for eco-tourism now has over 30 Green Key recognised hotels. There's now no excuse not to choose responsibly, and enjoy your stay in Marrakesh knowing you're supporting the growth of environmentalism in this ancient city.

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