Just over half of Moroccans aware of climate change, poverty limits action

A little more than half of Moroccans say they are aware of climate change, a rate slightly higher than the African average, according to a new study by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network specializing in public opinion surveys.

The survey, released under the title “How Poverty Hinders Climate Action in Africa,” found that 54% of Moroccans are aware of climate change, compared with 51% across the continent. But the study also revealed a sharp divide linked to poverty: while 65% of Moroccans who do not live in poverty recognize climate change, the figure drops to 46% among those experiencing extreme poverty.

Environmental experts in Morocco said the findings highlight gaps in government awareness campaigns and the failure to implement initiatives such as the National Charter on Environment, Media and Sustainable Development, as well as the inclusion of climate-specific funding in ministerial and local budgets.

“Considering the limited efforts made by government sectors, the level of awareness is actually quite high,” said Mustapha Bramel, president of the Ecological Lighthouses Association. He noted that despite Morocco’s hosting of the COP22 climate conference in 2016, the national charter on environmental communication, signed that same year, has not been implemented.

Bramel argued that Moroccan media coverage of environmental issues remains largely reactive, focusing on floods or wildfires rather than ongoing climate challenges. He also pointed to the absence of dedicated climate budgets at both national and local levels, which he said could help fund education and adaptation programs.

Ayoub Krir, head of the Oxygen Association for Environment and Health, said the lack of awareness is reflected in people’s everyday behaviors. “Nearly half of Moroccans do not know about climate change at all, and this inevitably affects how they interact with their environment,” he said.

Krir added that awareness tends to be higher among educated, urban, and socially active groups, especially those using social media. In contrast, rural communities, people facing poverty, and those with limited education are less likely to consider climate change in their daily lives.

Both experts stressed the need for stronger communication strategies, especially through schools, media, and community workshops. “Morocco needs to double its efforts in awareness, in partnership with civil society, to ensure climate change becomes part of public consciousness,” Krir said.

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