Transition to Renewable Energy: A Pathway to Achieve Sustainable Construction and Sustainable Development in Morocco

Abstract

This study examines the interaction between the transition to renewable energy (TRE) in Morocco and sustainable construction (SC) development. Data from 2001 to 2022 were analysed using coupling, coordination, and entropy methods. The findings showed steady enhancements in the coordination of the two subsystems as well as a strong acceleration following 2015, which can be attributed to the adoption of the National Energy Strategy and the country’s climate commitments. These results were confirmed by structural break and before-and-after tests. RE policies have enhanced the TRE index, whereas SC has increased at a slower rate. This study suggests the use of green building codes, increased public–private partnerships, and the use of digital technologies to improve synergy in the two sectors. Moreover, this is the first empirical investigation to examine the synergy of the two subsystems and draw attention to their joint contributions to SDG 7, 9, 11, and 13.

Keywords

renewable energy sustainable construction entropy method coupling coordination SDGs Africa Morocco

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Abbas

Dabić

Stojčić

(2026). Digital divide in industry 5.0: Role of generative AI knowledge bases and intellectual capital in organizational resilience performance under territorial proximity. Technovation, 149(2), Article 103357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103357

Assadiki

Belmir

(2022). Current situation of green building development in Morocco: Standards and certification systems. In: Paper presented at the digital technologies and applications: Springer.

Bashir

M. T.

Khan

A. B.

Khan

M. M. H.

Rasheed

Saad

Farid

(2024). Evaluating the implementation of green building materials in the construction sector of developing nations. J. Hum. Earth Future, 5(3), 528–542. https://doi.org/10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-015

Benbba

Barhdadi

Ficarella

Manente

Romano

M. P.

El Hachemi

Barhdadi

Al-Salaymeh

Outzourhit

(2024). Solar energy resource and power generation in Morocco: Current situation, potential, and future perspective. Resources, 13(10), Article 13100140. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13100140

BER . (2023). Annual report 2023. In: Retrieved from British Enegery Reports, London, UK: Elsevier. https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/publications/annual-report-2023/ (Accessed: 10 January 2025).

Boulakhbar

Lebrouhi

Kousksou

Smouh

Jamil

Maaroufi

Zazi

(2020). Towards a large-scale integration of renewable energies in Morocco. Journal of Energy Storage, 32(1), Article 101806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2020.101806

Chen

Wang

Chen

Hua

Osman

A. I.

Farghali

Huang

Dong

Rooney

D. W.

Yap

P.-S.

(2024). Green building practices to integrate renewable energy in the construction sector: A review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 22(2), 751–784. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-023-01675-2

Daoudi

(2024). Education in renewable energies: A key factor of Morocco's 2030 energy transition project. Exploring the impact on SDGs and future perspectives. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 9(2), Article 100833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100833

Das

Chakraborty

Bohre

A. K.

Kumar

Agarwala

(2024). Sustainable integration of green hydrogen in renewable energy systems for residential and EV applications. International Journal of Energy Research, 2024(1), Article 8258624. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8258624

10.

da Silva Costa

T. M.

Cabral

N. R. A. J.

da Silva

A. C.

Mota

F. S. G.

da Silva Diógenes

(2023). Analysis of the contribution of building rehabilitation to the achievement of SDG 11. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 8(2), 70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-023-00296-0

11.

De Araujo

Mascarenhas

Laleicke

Kutnar

Dias

van de Kuilen

Hubbe

Lahr

Christoforo

(2026). Biocities with wood and bamboo: A path to low-carbon urbanization for greener societies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 226(1), Article 116257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116257

12.

Derdouri

Satour

Murayama

Morimoto

Osaragi

Salhi

(2024). Coastal satellite urbanization in the global south: Dynamics, sustainability dilemmas, and pathways for Martil, Morocco. Cities, 149(2), Article 104981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.104981

13.

Det Udomsap

Hallinger

(2020). A bibliometric review of research on sustainable construction, 1994–2018. Journal of Cleaner Production, 254(1), Article 120073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120073

14.

Duarte Alonso

O. T. K.

Akbari

Nguyen

T. Q.

Nguyen

N. H.

Tran

T. D.

(2025). Energising the future: A dynamic capabilities approach to Vietnam’s renewable energy industry from the supply and demand side. The Journal of Environment & Development, 34(1), 150–178. https://doi.org/10.1177/10704965241284010

15.

Duchrow

(2024). Supporting the implementation of the 2030 agenda in Morocco. In: Retrieved from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Bonn. https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/142547.html (Accessed 24 January 2025).

16.

El Hafdaoui

Khallaayoun

Ouazzani

(2024). Long-term low carbon strategy of Morocco: A review of future scenarios and energy measures. Results in Engineering, 21(2), Article 101724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101724

17.

Emran

(2024). Morocco’s energy transition: Prioritizing natural gas, embracing green hydrogen, and global collaboration at COP28. Retrieved from policy center for the new south, Rabat campus of mohammed. VI Polytechnic University. https://www.policycenter.ma/publications/moroccos-energy-transition-prioritizing-natural-gas-embracing-green-hydrogen-and (Accessed 21 January 2025).

18.

Energy for Growth Hub . (2023). Sub-saharan Africa emits a tiny fraction of the world’s CO2: Retrieved from Energy for Grwoth Hub. https://energyforgrowth.org/article/sub-saharan-africa-emits-a-tiny-fraction-of-the-worlds-co2/ (Accessed 8 January 2025).

19.

Falcone

P. M.

(2023). Sustainable energy policies in developing countries: A review of challenges and opportunities. Energies, 16(18), 6682. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186682

20.

Hafez

F. S.

Sa'di

Safa-Gamal

Taufiq-Yap

Y. H.

Alrifaey

Seyedmahmoudian

Stojcevski

Horan

Mekhilef

(2023). Energy efficiency in sustainable buildings: A systematic review with taxonomy, challenges, motivations, methodological aspects, recommendations, and pathways for future research. Energy Strategy Reviews, 45(2), Article 101013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.101013

21.

Hagumimana

Zheng

Asemota

G. N. O.

Niyonteze

J. D. D.

Nsengiyumva

Nduwamungu

Bimenyimana

(2021). Concentrated solar power and photovoltaic systems: A new approach to boost sustainable energy for all (Se4all) in Rwanda. International Journal of Photoenergy, 2021(1), 5515513. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5515513

22.

IEA . (2023a). CO2 emissions from energy. Retrieved from International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/countries/morocco/emissions (Accessed 8 January 2025).

23.

IEA . (2023b). Energy system of Africa. Retrieved from International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/regions/africa (Accessed 5 January 2025).

24.

IEA . (2023c). National climate resilience assessment for Morocco. Retrieved from International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/reports/national-climate-resilience-assessment-for-morocco (Accessed 21 January 2025).

25.

IEA . (2024). CO2 emissions in 2023: Executive summary. Retrieved from International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2023/executive-summary (Accessed 8 January 2025).

26.

IMF . (2023). Chapter 7: Climate change and development in Morocco. Retrieved from International Monetray Fund. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9798400225406/CH007.xml (Accessed 7 January 2025).

27.

Imghoure

Belouaggadia

Zaite

Ezzine

Lbibb

Sebaibi

(2024). Enhancing energy efficiency in Moroccan construction through innovative materials: A case study in a semiarid climate. Buildings, 14(10), 3087. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103087

28.

Jaradat

Alshboul

O. A. M.

Obeidat

I. M.

Zoubi

M. K.

(2024). Green building, carbon emission, and environmental sustainability of construction industry in Jordan: Awareness, actions and barriers. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 15(2), Article 102441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2023.102441

29.

Lanre Ibrahim

Bello Ajide

Usman

Kousar

(2022). Heterogeneous effects of renewable energy and structural change on environmental pollution in Africa: Do natural resources and environmental technologies reduce pressure on the environment? Renewable Energy, 200(1), 244–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.09.134

30.

Nidheesh

P. V.

Kumar

M. S.

(2019). An overview of environmental sustainability in cement and steel production. Journal of Cleaner Production, 231(2), 856–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.251

31.

Okika

M. C.

Musonda

Monko

R. J.

Phoya

S. A.

(2025). The road map for sustainable development using solar energy electricity generation in Tanzania. Energy Strategy Reviews, 57(1), Article 101630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2024.101630

32.

Omopariola

E. D.

Olanrewaju

O. I.

Albert

Oke

A. E.

Ibiyemi

S. B.

(2024). Sustainable construction in the Nigerian construction industry: Unsustainable practices, barriers and strategies. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 22(4), 1158–1184. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-11-2021-0639

33.

Pisarchik

A. N.

Hramov

A. E.

(2023). Coherence resonance in neural networks: Theory and experiments. Physics Reports, 1000(2), 1–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physrep.2022.11.004

34.

Qing

Abbas

Najam

Dagestani

A. A.

(2024). Investment in renewable energy and green financing and their role in achieving carbon-neutrality and economic sustainability: Insights from Asian region. Renewable Energy, 221(2), Article 119830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119830

35.

Sakhraoui

Agadi

von Hirschhausen

Ege

G. S.

(2024). Energy policy in Morocco: Analysis of the national energy strategy's impact on sustainable energy supply and transformation. Next Research, 1(2), Article 100072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2024.100072

36.

Shahsavari

Akbari

(2018). Potential of solar energy in developing countries for reducing energy-related emissions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 90(2), 275–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.065

37.

Statista . (2023). Production-based carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Africa in 2021, by country. Retrieved from Statista. https://wmo.int/media/news/record-carbon-emissions-highlight-urgency-of-global-greenhouse-gas-watch (Accessed 8 January 2025).

38.

Tong

Chiappetta Jabbour

C. J.

belgacem

S. b.

Najam

Abbas

(2022). Role of environmental regulations, green finance, and investment in green technologies in green total factor productivity: Empirical evidence from Asian region. Journal of Cleaner Production, 380(2), Article 134930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134930

39.

UN . (2024). Progress towards the sustainable development goals: Retrieved from United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/goals (Accessed 24 January 2025).

40.

UN Environment Programme . (2024). 2022 global status report for buildings and construction. Retrieved from UN environment programme. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/co2-emissions-buildings-and-construction-hit-new-high-leaving-sector (Accessed 8 January 2025).

41.

UNFCC . (2016). Conference of the parties (COP 22). Retrieved from UNFCC. https://unfccc.int/conference/marrakech-climate-change-conference-november-2016 (Accessed 24 January 2025).

42.

Wang

Shan

Cui

Zhao

Meng

Wang

(2024). Investigating the fast energy-related carbon emissions growth in African countries and its drivers. Applied Energy, 357(2), Article 122494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122494

43.

WDI . (2024). Data bank: World development indicators. Retrieved from World Bank. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators (Accessed 10 January 2025).

44.

WMO . (2024). Record carbon emissions highlight urgency of Global Greenhouse Gas Watch. In: Retrieved from World Meteorological Organization, WMO | The United Nations Office at Geneva. https://wmo.int/media/news/record-carbon-emissions-highlight-urgency-of-global-greenhouse-gas-watch (Accessed 8 January 2025).

45.

World Bank . (2017). Morocco: Noor Ouarzazate concentrated solar power complex. Retrieved from World Bank. https://ppp.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/MoroccoNoorQuarzazateSolar_WBG_AfDB_EIB.pdf. Accessed: 12 November 2025.

46.

World Bank . (2019). Morocco’s energy transition: Towards a green, inclusive, and sustainable economy: Retrieved from World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/morocco (Accessed 16 January 2025).

47.

World Bank . (2024). World development indicators: Retrieved from World Bank. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators (Accessed 1 January 2025).

48.

Zhu

Xiong

(2022). Bamboo construction materials: Carbon storage and potential to reduce associated CO2 emissions. Science of The Total Environment, 814(2), Article 152697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152697

49.

Yin

(2022). An empirical analysis of the coupling and coordinative development of China's green finance and economic growth. Resources Policy, 75(2), Article 102476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102476

50.

Zhang

Khan

S. U.

Swallow

Liu

Zhao

(2022). Coupling coordination analysis of China's water resources utilization efficiency and economic development level. Journal of Cleaner Production, 373(2), Article 133874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133874