It’s a decision that is sure to rain on many people’s parade: King Mohammed VI of Morocco has asked his people to “cancel” Eid al-Adha celebrations. People were called to forgo their cherished meatfest during this year’s holiday.
The monarch warned that continuing with the practice “will cause harm to large segments of our people” as the country grapples with severe drought conditions.
The country has seen rainfall drop 53% below the 30-year average. This water shortage has forced Morocco to ink deals for importing 100,000 sheep from Australia.
Yet while Moroccans cope with water scarcity, European firms want to use their water for green hydrogen. A Greenpeace report shows that planned green hydrogen output will need 92 million cubic meters of water in a land already under high water stress.
Island Nation’s Hard Lessons About Resource Overuse
In the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru, what happens when outside forces drain local wealth is impossible to overlook. Once among the world’s richest places thanks to phosphate mining, Nauru now faces a bleak outlook. Mining has left 80% of its land uninhabitable, while rising seas threaten what little remains.
With few options left, Nauru has begun selling citizenship at $105,000 per passport to fund its inland retreat from rising waters. The scheme aims to bring in $43 million yearly – nearly 20% of government income.
“This is about more than survival. It is about ensuring future generations have a safe, resilient and sustainable home,” President David Adeang told AFP.
New Deals Follow Old Patterns in Africa’s Mineral Belt
Back to Africa, recent European energy deals stick to the same harmful blueprint. In Mauritania, Danish firm GreenGo Energy won rights to 100,000 hectares for a green hydrogen project. The “Megaton Moon” scheme will draw on the country’s wind and solar wealth, with output mainly flowing to Europe.
Meanwhile, in Botswana, a new deal with De Beers has lifted the country’s share of diamonds from their joint mining work from 25% to 50%. While this marks an upgrade, the deal still leaves Botswana bound to raw material exports rather than building up its own manufacturing.
Europe’s Grabbing of Green Wealth in Sunny Lands
The Greenpeace report warns that European renewable energy investments in North Africa often hurt more than help. These projects take land and water while sending the clean energy back to Europe.
In Morocco, TotalEnergies has sunk over $10 billion into green hydrogen plants aimed at export markets. This follows a long pattern of outside powers taking raw materials while leaving little for locals.
The report reveals that European investments in oil, gas, renewable energy, and green hydrogen in Morocco and Egypt “drain natural resources and exacerbate environmental degradation.”
Critics call it “green colonialism” – using sustainability as cover for grabbing resources. The Middle East and North Africa now see rising temperatures at twice the world average, yet their renewable wealth goes to cool European homes.
Water Use Shows True Cost of Export-First Policy
Morocco’s green hydrogen projects show how export-driven renewable energy can worsen local problems. The country has set aside a million hectares for making green hydrogen, mostly for European buyers.
These projects will use massive amounts of water in a nation already struggling with drought. Plans for desalination plants bring more worries, as they need lots of energy and harm marine life.
The bitter twist: despite huge renewable investments, Morocco still buys fossil fuels while selling clean energy abroad. This keeps the country locked in a harmful cycle where wealth flows outward.
Egypt’s Energy Stays Abroad While Locals Face Outages
Egypt’s story follows the same sad path. European firms have put billions into the country to tap its gas after the Ukraine war cut Russian supplies. But local needs have taken a back seat.
Egyptians live with frequent power cuts while gas flows to Europe. Oil giant Eni has pushed exports over home energy needs. This leaves locals burning dirty fuels like mazut while their cleaner resources head overseas.
The unfair pattern creates a twin burden. Egyptians must cope with both energy shortages and environmental harm, while seeing little of the wealth their resources create.
Better Ways Forward for EMEA Energy Links
A better path would put local needs first. Greenpeace backs reforms that would break the harmful cycle:
At the local level, nations should boost food and energy self-reliance. Community Land Trusts could help people manage their own resources. More open dealings would ensure that investments truly help nearby towns.
On the world stage, unfair debts should be wiped out and harmful trade deals changed. Energy work should aim for local use, not just export.
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Danes Spruce Up Mauritanian Desert with Latest Green Hydrogen Deal
Fifty-Fifty Split: Botswana’s Path to a Better Diamond Deal
Norwegian Energy Nationalism Threatens Britain’s Net Zero
