2003年-世界发展银行全球_Morocco___Cost_Assessment_of_Environmental_Degradation_57页_336kb

Summary of the Report: Kingdom of Morocco Cost Assessment of Environmental Degradation

Core Content

This report, titled "KINGDOM OF MOROCCO COST ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION", was prepared by the World Bank in 2003 and is part of a series of studies supported by the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP). It aims to provide an initial assessment of the cost of environmental degradation in Morocco, with a focus on using these estimates for policy-making and integrating environmental concerns into economic and social development.

The report highlights the importance of understanding the economic impact of environmental degradation and proposes a methodological framework for its assessment. It emphasizes that environmental damage costs are not included in GDP but are expressed as a percentage of GDP to allow for comparative analysis with other economic indicators.

Main Points

1. Overview of Environmental Degradation Costs

• The annual damage cost of environmental degradation in Morocco for 2000 is estimated to be 2.75 to 4.65% of GDP, with a mean estimate of 3.7% of GDP or Dh 13 billion per year.
• Water degradation costs are estimated at 1.0 to 1.45% of GDP.
• Air pollution (both indoor and outdoor) costs are estimated at 0.6 to 1.5% of GDP.
• Coastal zone degradation and soil degradation combined cost around 0.5% of GDP.
• Global environmental damage, specifically from CO₂ emissions, is estimated at 0.9% of GDP.
• 70% of total environmental degradation costs are attributed to health and quality of life impacts, while 30% is due to natural resource degradation.

2. Methodological Framework

• The study uses a comparative cost-benefit approach to evaluate the costs of environmental degradation and its remediation.
• Damage costs refer to the economic losses due to environmental degradation.
• Remediation costs are the investments required to maintain or restore environmental quality.
• The study focuses on damage costs, with remediation costs being incomplete and not fully comparable due to different methodologies and assumptions.
• Monetary valuation is based on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and other economic indicators.

3. Categories of Environmental Degradation

The report evaluates environmental degradation across six key categories:

• Water
• Air
• Land, forest, and biodiversity
• Waste
• Coastal zones
• Global environment

Each category is analyzed in terms of its impact on health and quality of life and impact on natural resources.

4. Key Environmental Issues in Morocco

• Water resources: Degradation is linked to inadequate water purification, sanitation, and hygiene, with associated costs.
• Air pollution: Both urban and indoor air pollution are significant, especially due to diesel vehicles and industrial activities.
• Land degradation: Includes agricultural land, rangeland, and soil degradation, which affects agricultural productivity and recreational value.
• Deforestation: Driven by energy needs and limited electricity access, leading to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Waste management: Poor practices contribute to pollution of water and land, and health risks.
• Coastal zones: Degradation affects fisheries and tourism, and solid waste management is a key concern.
• Global environment: CO₂ emissions are a major contributor to climate change, with global damage costs estimated at 0.9% of GDP.

5. Methodological Limitations and Assumptions

• The study is based on available data, and extrapolation from regional studies or expert judgment is used where data is missing.
• Damage costs are calculated using DALYs, which provide a common measure for health impacts.
• Remediation costs are based on elimination costs, not prevention costs, and may not always reflect the most cost-effective technologies.
• Environmental problems are interlinked, making direct comparisons between categories complex.
• All estimates are annualized based on investment lifetimes (5–15 years) and a 10% discount rate.
• The reference year for all calculations is 2000.

Key Information

• The report was prepared by Maria Sarraf (Task Team Leader), Mohammed Belhaj, and Abdeljaouad Jorio.
• It was supported by key Moroccan officials and international experts.
• The National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP, 2002) and the National Strategy for the Protection of the Environment and Sustainable Development (1995) are referenced as policy initiatives.
• The National Environment Observatory of Morocco (ONEM) and the Moroccan Center of Cleaner Production (CMPP) are highlighted as key institutions in environmental monitoring and policy implementation.

Conclusion

The report serves as a baseline for understanding the economic burden of environmental degradation in Morocco. It underscores the need for further analysis to refine and quantify the costs of degradation, particularly in understudied areas such as industrial waste, hazardous waste, natural ecosystem degradation, and groundwater overextraction. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental assessments into national development strategies to ensure sustainable growth and improved public health.