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Morocco and MENA region - Establishing a center of excellence and enhancing air quality management

by Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) - 11 November, 2025

Overview

This project responds to the request by Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development to champion the Africa Clean Air Programme. This project aims to support the implementation of Morocco’s National Air Program (PNAIR) and the development of a MENA region Center of Excellence for Clean Air, building on existing institutions. The center will build national and regional capacity for air quality management across the region.

Morocco has recognized the strategic importance of acting on air pollution and climate together. Morocco has joined the CCAC in 2014 and has endorsed a National Action Plan to Mitigate SLCPs which identifies measures that both improve air quality and mitigate climate change. Morocco identified the transport, household energy, industry, livestock, and energy sectors as priority areas for SLCP mitigation. The National SLCP Action Plan estimates that full implementation of targeted measures could reduce transport-related particulate pollution by 51.6% compared to 2014 levels, and significantly cut household energy emissions, yielding substantial health and social gains. The implementation of Euro VI fuel alone is responsible for almost 38 percent of the expected reduction of particulate matter in the transport sector. Morocco is the first country in Africa to adopt EuroVI standard to achieve 10 parts per million fuels. Morocco is currently working with CCAC support on its enforcement and on engaging with other countries in the region.

Morocco has endorsed a National Air Program (PNAir) in 2018 to improve air quality across a range of priority sectors by 2030. The program’s primary objective is to consolidate existing initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from both fixed and mobile sources, while simultaneously improving air quality across various sectors.

The key focus areas of the PNAir include:

Expanding the air quality monitoring network across the country.
Reducing atmospheric emissions from both industrial and transportation sectors.
Strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for air quality.
Raising public awareness through communication efforts.

The PNAir adopts a partnership-based approach, engaging key stakeholders to implement and achieve its goals. Significant progress has been made in establishing and expanding the National Air Quality Monitoring Network, as well as drafting regulatory frameworks to protect air quality. However, challenges remain, particularly in the implementation of additional PNAir initiatives, which require greater technical expertise and financial support to fully achieve the program’s objectives.

Morocco has submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the UNFCCC Secretariat. This new NDC, covering the period 2026–2035, targets to reduce GHG emissions by 53% by 2035 and includes for the first time, of fluorinated gases and short-lived air pollutants. With CCAC support Morocco finalized and endorsed a national methane roadmap with 14 recommended methane mitigation measures that some of them have been considered in the NDC3.0.

The MENA region faces significant challenges in air quality management and capacity building in the environment sector. The region experiences various air pollution sources, including dust storms, greenhouse gas emissions, urban and industrial growth, and transportation emissions, all contributing to deteriorating air quality. Despite some regional cooperation efforts and scientific exchanges, there remains a notable lack of institutional capabilities for comprehensive air pollution control and monitoring within the region. Effective air quality management in the MENA region requires enhanced ground-based monitoring networks, the use of available tools to collect more data (ex. satellites), and strategic shifts in policies (ex. in fuel and transport). Importantly, capacity building is needed to reinforce institutional frameworks, improve data collection and analysis, and foster regional collaboration for sustainable development and pollution mitigation. These efforts align with ongoing initiatives to promote integrated resource management and environmental governance in the region.

This project is expected to achieve:

Strengthened National Air Quality Governance by improving regulatory frameworks
Enhanced Monitoring and Data Management to provide to those concerned real-time pollution data for informed decision-making.
Development of a Regional Center to facilitate harmonized air quality management and policy development across the MENA region.
Regional Coordination by fostering collaboration across governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including the integration of local, national, and regional air quality data
Financial and Technical Sustainability of air quality management through capacity-building and identification of funding sources for long-term operations.

RELEVANT POLICIES

Framework Law 99-12 on the National Charter for the Environment and Sustainable Development, which strengthens the legal protection of resources and ecosystems by listing the measures the State intends to take to combat all forms of pollution and nuisances.
Law 11-03 on the Protection and Enhancement of the Environment
Law 12-03 on environmental impact assessments and the law on waste management also provide rules limiting air pollution.
Law 28-00 on waste management and disposal.
Law 13-03 on the fight against air pollution. Adopted in June 2003, the law aims to prevent and fight atmospheric pollutant emissions that may harm human health, fauna, soil, climate, cultural heritage and the environment in general
Law 13-09 on renewable energy.
Law 47-09 on energy efficiency.
Decrees have been published in the Country’s Official Bulletin such as:
- Order No. 1529.2 concerning energy labeling and MEPS for air conditioners.
- Order No. 2040.24 for refrigerators and freezers.
- Order No. 1529.30 for electric motors, published in Official Bulletin No. 7334 of September 12, 2024
- Decree No. 2-09-631 of July 6, 2010, setting the limit values for vehicle exhaust gases.
- Morocco has adopted the EURO 6 system since January 1, 2023, for the certification of new or imported vehicles.
- Introduction of 10 ppm diesel since 2015
- National Action Plan to Mitigate SLCPs
- National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD) and Air Quality Management
- Morocco’s NDCs 3.0

More information Morocco’s work on short-lived climate pollutants can be found on their Partner Page.

Who to involve

Government ministries targeting emitting sectors and health; Law enforcement agencies; Local government and municipalities; Academic institutions and civil society organizations; International development partners and funding agencies; AU and member states.

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Morocco has updated and strengthened atmospheric emission and concentration data, inventory and monitoring system by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted

Output 1.1: Updated, integrated national emissions inventory (GHG + SLCP + criteria air pollutants) and improved regional data on atmospheric emission sources
Output 1.2: Evaluation of the National Air Quality Monitoring Program (PNSQA) and identification of areas where progress has been made, of gaps and areas for improvement.

Outcome 2: The Government of Morocco has strengthened regulatory frameworks for air quality management by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Number of laws, regulations, or other policy mechanisms with air pollutants and SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed, and/or implemented

Output 2.1: Comprehensive analysis of current air quality laws and regulations and of progress of the implementation of PNAir.
Output 2.2: Report identifying gaps and inefficiencies in the existing regulatory framework and in PNAir.
Output 2.3: Recommendations for strengthening the regulatory framework and enforcement mechanisms, for updating ambient air quality and emissions standards (in alignment with WHO air quality guidelines and NAAQS) and for strengthening the implementation of PNAir.
Output 2.4: Stakeholder consultations and public engagement workshops to discuss recommendations and agree on way forward.

Outcome 3: A centre of excellence is established to increase technical and institutional capacities on air quality management by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of government entities in the MENA region with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

Output 3.1: A Center of Excellence designed, formally endorsed by relevant bodies such as AUC as a regional mechanism for air quality leadership, science-policy advice and coordination, and established. This should include at the minimum:
- Identify and engage relevant stakeholders including universities, research organizations, air quality monitoring services, government entities and civil society
- Assess existing national and regional capabilities for air quality management and gaps in technical knowledge and institutional arrangements to be addressed by the center
- Develop institutional and governance structure of the center
- Develop detailed budget for startup and operation
- Leverage political support on a national and regional level for setting up and operating the center
- Identify services to be provided by the centre including:
  - Development of harmonized standards and procedures for monitoring and data management at the regional level
  - Enhancing air quality monitoring and data management informing policy and decision-making processes
  - Strengthening regional capacity in air quality management
  - Facilitating evidence-based policy and action plan development
  - Support development and implementation of comprehensive national and regional air quality management strategies and policies and ensure alignment at regional level
  - Develop regional data management systems for air quality data
  - Evaluation of impacts of air quality improvement actions
  - Knowledge and experience sharing
  - Sustainable financing and resource mobilization plan for the implementation and sustainable operation of the center, including proposals submitted to national, regional and international funding mechanisms.
  - Strategic partnerships
  - Regional awareness raising and communication strategy.
Output 3.2: Regional knowledge exchange platform and learning labs launched by center, supporting south-south learning and best practice transfer, in collaboration with AQMx.
Leveraging AQMx knowledge and tools—ensuring its continuous update, integration, and uptake into the Centre’s framework and capacity-building curricula to promote harmonized and data-driven air quality management across the continent.
Output 3.3.: Regional policy consultations convened, and strategy developed to promote harmonized air quality standards and regulations in Africa.

APPLICATION PROCESs

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

Complete and submitted before the deadline
Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity.
Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses
Project duration is less than 24 months
Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected.
Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents.

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
Involves relevant stakeholders
Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed
Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1

Selection process
A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.
The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

Due diligence and procurement

Due diligence

CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet with the following requirements:

Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years
Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements.
* (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Contract requirements

If selected for funding, your project will be contracted through the United Nations. Organisation(s) selected to implement the project must meet the following due diligence and procurement rules.

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only.