Numerous Moroccan organizations, associations, unions, civil society networks and social movements met on 7 February 2016 in Rabat within the framework of a national consultation in light of the United Nations conference on climate change from 8 to 17 November 2016 in Marrakech (COP22). The Save the Tigris and Iraqi Marshes Campaign will attend the COP22.

Convinced of the importance and the stakes of this step in the struggle for climate justice and willing to focus our efforts, whilst continuing to respect the diversity within our coalition, these groups declare the establishment of the Moroccan Coalition for Climate Justice.

The historical opportunity offered by the decision to hold the conference in Morocco comprises several aspects:

1. First, this presents an opportunity to significantly amplify society’s understanding of environmental issues and climate change and its consequences for the future of our country, thus strengthening civil society action in this field. Equally, it will ensure that public authorities recognize the prominent role that civil society must play in the elaboration, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of environmental public policies.
2. COP22 in Morocco also represents the opportunity for enhanced public debate on environmental and climate issues (water, waste, biodiversity preservation, desertification, pollution, etc.) in order to evaluate public policies concerning these matters, with the goal of spurring renewed discussion and action on these crucial questions for the future of peoples – especially since Morocco is committed to several ambitious renewable energy and fossil-free programs.
3. COP22 represents the opportunity to increase public awareness and exert pressure on polluting states, public authorities and companies to implement concrete national and international measures in order to preserve the health and fundamental right of peoples to a healthy environment and a life of dignity, particularly in Global South countries that endure the worst of the adverse consequences resulting from pollution and ecosystem imbalances.
4. It is also a chance to partake in and expand current international debates, contributing to the development of new themes including gender and climate, climate refugees, the role of young people in environmental protection, etc.

The Coalition is fully engaged in the extension, reinforcement and convergence of actions undertaken for decades by Moroccan and international associations in protecting water resources, biodiversity, and the environment; preventing desertification; and promoting an equitable management of natural resources.

The Coalition is joining efforts to ensure public awareness and build a widespread, diverse, inclusive and independent mobilization to pool attempts on a national, regional and international scale for climate justice.

The Coalition aims to be an extension of the international civil society momentum, respecting the diverse approaches and strategies undertaken in the interest of environmental protection. We thus express our will to act in consultation and harmony with every movement struggling to achieve sustainable development through a human rights approach in order to contribute to the creation of a balance of power, proposals encouraging universal action, and the sustainable transformation of public policies.

In this regard, the Coalition is and will remain open to any new accession, subject to the diversity of all actors, their strategies, modes of action, thematic approaches and organizational autonomy. Moreover, it will make all necessary efforts to ensure a new world – a necessary, possible, and urgent goal –, on a national level and in close interaction with worldwide civil society before, during, and after COP22.

Rabat, 7th February 2016