Morocco - Develop and implement a strategy to reduce Food Waste

RATIONALE

This project responds to a request made by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (Department of Sustainable Development) to quantify and characterize food waste for each segment of the food supply chain and to identify and implement concrete actions to reduce food loss and waste in Morocco. The project seeks to enhance the sustainable management of the food system involving all relevant sectors and stakeholders (such as tourism, agri-food industry, food distribution and commerce, catering, farms, fishing and livestock farming, waste, consumers).

In Morocco, food loss and waste affect food security, generate economic losses and wasted resources to produce and manage the uneaten food, and emit GHG emissions. In 2022, households wasted more than 4.2 million tons of food according to UNEP.

The project will advance a number of relevant policies such as:

• A draft law aimed at limiting food waste that was proposed to Parliament in 2022
• the Project "Support for the development of a national strategy and an action plan to reduce food losses in Morocco" between the FAO and the National Institute of Agronomic Research which was carried out in 2017  
• The revision of the 2017 National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) to align with the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs and with the guidelines of the new development model. Six cross-sectoral transformation areas were identified and broken down into 14 priority strategic issues, two of which directly concern the improvement of waste management and one of which relates to food loss, with the following indicators: 2022 reference value (113 kg/person/year), to be steadily reduced by 2035.
• The National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), with strategic sectoral decarbonization visions for seven identified key sectors, including the waste sector
• The National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Recovery (SNRVD), which consists of sustainable management of the sector to prevent and minimize waste production and maximize reuse, recycling, and the use of environmentally friendly substitute materials.  
• The National Waste Recovery Program (PNVD), which aims to establish the legal, technical, and financial pillars for waste reuse and recovery through:
• Promoting integrated and sustainable waste management;
• Organizing waste recycling and recovery sectors;
• Reducing the waste of natural resources;
• Upgrading and mitigating the impacts of domestic industry;
• Promoting investment and job creation.

An integrated model for collection and recovery of food waste remains to be implemented following the amendment of Law 28.00 on waste management, through collaboration between institutional and private partners by strengthening:

• the technological component (collection, centralized sorting platform, composting and/or methanization)
• the investment component covering technical expertise and fundraising.
• the capacity building and awareness-raising component. 

Activities

Outcome 1: The Government of Morocco has increased capacity to assess and quantify sources, quantities and main producers of food loss and waste by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

• Output 1.1: The Government of Morocco has increased capacity to establish a baseline assessment in collaboration with government agencies, private sector partners, and local communities.
• Output 1.2: Baseline assessment with main sources of food loss and waste identified and quantified and main producers and food loss and waste producers identified

Outcome 2: The Government of Morocco has adopted an action plan to ensure avoidance of food loss and waste and has engaged with relevant stakeholders by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented  

• Output 2.1: Existing policies, actions, solutions, mechanisms and activities to reduce food loss and waste identified
  • Conduct literature review taking stock of existing policies, past and ongoing initiatives, best practices in the region and globally
  • Conduct stakeholder consultations by identifying and engaging with relevant stakeholders who can contribute to food loss and waste avoidance. Key stakeholders may include local governments, waste management agencies, businesses, non profit organizations, community groups, and food producers. Effective collaboration is key to co-creating sustainable and comprehensive solutions to this challenge.
• Output 2.2: A report with recommendations of the policies, actions, solutions, mechanisms (for example Public-Private Partnerships) and activities to reduce food loss and waste best suitable for the Moroccan context produced.
• Output 2.3: Based on recommendations, an action plan including relevant indicators to reduce food loss and waste  
• Output 2.4: Actions and objectives to reduce food loss and waste in local planning documents identified and local stakeholders are engaged

Outcome 3: The government of Morocco and other relevant stakeholders have increased capacity in reducing/avoiding food loss and waste by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

• Output 3.1: Training materials, manuals, and case studies tailored to Morocco's context developed
• Output 3.2: Training on understanding, analysis, development, implementation and monitoring of food loss and waste conducted
• Output 3.3: Knowledge-sharing partnerships for food loss and waste reduction established to share experiences and challenges

Outcome 4: Citizens of Morocco have increased awareness on food waste and loss  

Indicator: Number of partnerships, associations, or campaigns launched to drive SLCP action

• Output 4.1: Material and audience alignment analysis conducted, including consumer segmentation analysis to target food waste prevention messages to segments with common drivers and interests
• Output 4.2: Public campaign assets and activation plan developed including public service announcements and social media campaigns

Outcome 5: The Government of Morocco endorses redistribution projects as well as upcycling initiatives to prevent food waste by creating new, high-quality products out of surplus food

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

• Output 5.1: Identification of at least 6 appropriate projects/initiatives with business potential. The identification should be based on an assessment of food loss and waste potential avoidance, the methane and other SLCP mitigation potential, other co-benefits (social aspects, creation of jobs, food security, nutritious and health value, etc.), investment needs, etc.  
• Output 5.2: Stakeholders convened and engaged on selection of at least 3 projects/ initiatives to identify financial opportunities.  
  • Design a plan to support 3 selected projects in coordination with public and private institutions. This plan should include the identification of financial opportunities.  
• Output 5.3: Workshop delivered to key stakeholders, from the financial sector, local and national governments, private sector to identify ways to make financial instruments available to finance the projects.    
  • Proposing pilot actions for food redistribution and recycling to prevent food waste. 

Reference number: [MA-25-005] Morocco - Develop and implement a strategy to reduce Food Waste