Morocco stands as a compelling case study of a water-stressed nation confronting a deepening crisis. Driven by inherent aridity, climate variability, population growth, agricultural expansion, and the accelerating impacts of climate change, the country's water security is under severe threat. In response, Morocco has progressively established a sophisticated water governance framework designed to navigate these mounting hydrological challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of this evolving system, analyzing its legislative foundations, institutional architecture, and policy instruments, with a specific focus on the landmark Water Law 36-15 and the decentralization of management to basin-level agencies (Agences de Bassin Hydraulique, ABHs) to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Drawing on a synthesis of policy documents, academic literature, and recent empirical studies, our analysis reveals a complex and dualistic governance landscape. On one hand, Morocco has developed a robust legal base and has strategically promoted non-conventional water resources, such as desalination and wastewater reuse, as pillars of its water security strategy. On the other hand, significant implementation gaps persist. Key findings highlight persistent fragmentation across sectors—notably agriculture, energy, and municipalities—and governance scales; critical weaknesses in groundwater management and stakeholder participation; and enduring challenges related to data monitoring and informal water use practices. The paper concludes that bridging the gap between legislative intent and on-the-ground effectiveness is paramount. We thus offer targeted recommendations for enhancing basin-level integrity, fostering cross-sectoral coordination, and strengthening socially inclusive, adaptive governance to build a more resilient and equitable water future for Morocco.

Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn, a riparian forest species in Morocco, is declining due to habitat fragmentation and human disturbances. The Moroccan populations of Alnus glutinosa represent a climatic relic. These populations are isolated and threatened by both climate change and human activities. The status of this species in Morocco has been classified in the regional red list. Understanding its structure, regeneration dynamics, and vegetation composition is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. This study assessed twelve populations, with 20 plots (30 x 30 m) sampled per population. In each plot, the density and diameter of all individuals were recorded, and vegetation composition was analyzed using thirty-six relevés. Significant variation in density and diameter was observed among populations (P<0.001). Although the regeneration status appeared satisfactory, population structure analysis identified five distinct patterns: a reverse-J shape, a broken reverse-J shape, a J-shape model, a bell shape, and an irregular shape, reflecting different demographic trends. A total of 218 species, from 161 genera and 74 families, were documented in Alnus glutinosa populations, with herbaceous species comprising 69% of the flora. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation may hinder seedling recruitment and survival, posing a challenge to population sustainability. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and seedling protection, to measure the long-term viability of Alnus glutinosa

Floating islands are bioengineering structures vegetated with riparian plant species that replicate natural ecological functions in degraded aquatic environments. As Nature-Based Solutions, these structures create new microhabitats that can support biological recolonization, enhance ecological connectivity, and provide new opportunities for environmental monitoring. In the context of the Bio Ilhas project, pilot floating islands were installed in two fluvial systems under distinct anthropogenic pressures: the Fervença River, an urban and heavily modified watercourse, and the Côa River, located in an agricultural-natural landscape but with longitudinal connectivity disrupted by dams. The primary objective of this study is to compare the composition and structure of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities associated with floating islands and adjacent non-island areas in both rivers. Additionally, it aims to compare the species present in each system, identify taxa, and assess differences in richness, relative abundance, and functional feeding groups. To complement the biological analysis, available water-quality data (including physical and chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, nutrients, temperature, pH, and conductivity) were integrated to characterize the sampling sites and to contextualize macroinvertebrate sensitivity as bioindicators. Preliminary observations indicate that the macroinvertebrate communities in the Côa River were almost exclusively dominated by Astacidea (invasive crayfish). In contrast, the Fervença River exhibited greater taxonomic variability, primarily represented by organisms from the orders Crustacea, Mollusca, Hirudinea, and Odonata. This approach aims to determine whether floating islands support more diverse and sensitive communities than areas without islands, and to understand how different anthropogenic pressures, urban impacts in the Fervença, and hydromorphological alterations in the Côa influence patterns of colonization and ecological tolerance.

Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, with significant implications for ecosystems, biodiversity, and public health. Morocco’s reliance on imported plastics, particularly in the agrifood sector, exacerbates these challenges. This study presents a holistic analysis that integrates data, policy frameworks, and environmental considerations to address the growing SUP challenge in the HORECA ecosystem and agrifood. It highlights the critical need for strategic interventions, including the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility and eco-tax systems, to enhance recycling infrastructure and incentivize sustainable practices. The research also emphasizes the adoption of Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices to mitigate the impacts of microplastics and Persistent Organic Pollutants. Furthermore, a Theory of Change framework is proposed to align institutional collaboration, technological innovation, and public engagement, providing policymakers with actionable insights to transition toward a circular economy. This study offers a comprehensive roadmap for tackling Morocco’s plastic waste challenges, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and long-term policy reforms to support the country’s development goals.

By presenting a comprehensive perspective that aligns policy reforms, technological innovation, and public engagement, this research provides policymakers with a robust framework to tackle Morocco’s plastic waste challenges effectively. Future efforts should prioritize evaluating the implementation of these recommendations and exploring innovations in plastic alternatives, further supporting Morocco’s sustainable development goals.

Methylene blue (MB) is a widely used cationic dye whose persistence, strong coloration, and potential toxicity pose significant environmental threats when discharged into aquatic ecosystems. Natural biosorbents have gained attention as cost-effective materials for dye remediation. Among them, modified Abies marocana biomass has demonstrated promising adsorption performance, achieving an initial MB removal efficiency of 96.5% under optimized conditions. To ensure its practical applicability in wastewater treatment, evaluating the regeneration and reusability of the biosorbent is essential. This study focuses on assessing the regeneration behavior of sulfuric-acid-treated A. marocana needles (AMNS) following MB saturation. Chemical regeneration was carried out using an acid-elution approach, in which the effects of eluent concentration and contact duration were examined. The regenerated biosorbent underwent several adsorption–desorption cycles, and its performance was monitored using UV–Vis spectrophotometric measurements to determine the recovery of adsorption efficiency after each cycle. The AMNS biosorbent exhibited strong regeneration capacity, maintaining a substantial proportion of its initial performance after repeated reuse. Over three successive cycles, the regenerated material retained 80–90% of its original adsorption capacity, indicating efficient desorption of MB molecules and limited degradation of surface functional groups. These results suggest that the chemical modification applied to A. marocana enhances its structural stability and resilience during regeneration. The findings highlight the potential of modified Abies marocana biomass as a durable and reusable adsorbent for the treatment of MB-contaminated wastewater. Its high initial removal efficiency, combined with strong regeneration performance, supports its integration into sustainable, low-cost water treatment systems. The regeneration behavior confirms that AMNS can be effectively reused over several cycles without significant loss of adsorption capacity, reinforcing its value as an environmentally friendly biosorbent.

Urban Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) offer multiple hydrological, ecological, cultural, and wellbeing benefits, yet their uptake remains constrained by economic appraisal frameworks that prioritise monetised, short-term outcomes and overlook wider co-benefits. Building on a recently developed economic valuation Decision Support Framework (DSF), this doctoral research advances a holistic approach that integrates measurable and non-measurable benefits across the life cycle of stormwater infrastructure. The framework is applied to a detailed raingarden typology case study in Auckland, New Zealand. Four raingarden typologies were identified across greenfield developments through field surveys, distinguished by size, configuration, and location. The DSF’s complexity-aware decision pathway (adapted from Cynefin) was used to identify the appropriate valuation methods. This led to a combined qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of benefits using the More Than Water (MTW) framework, alongside a life-cycle cost (LCC) evaluation. The DSF enabled explicit alignment of benefit types with decision-making contexts, revealing where monetised assessment is suitable (e.g., avoided material costs) and where semi-quantitative or qualitative valuation is required (e.g., biodiversity enhancement, urban cooling, shading, safety, placemaking). MTW results showed that raingarden typology strongly influences both the type and magnitude of multi-benefit outcomes, with media depth, vegetation complexity, and surface area emerging as dominant drivers of non-water benefits. While hydraulic and water-quality performance was broadly comparable across typologies, more complex designs generated markedly greater ecological, resilience, and wellbeing outcomes — benefits typically overlooked in conventional cost-efficiency analysis. LCC results further indicated that larger typologies achieve lower life-cycle costs due to economies of scale. The case study demonstrates that the DSF offers a practical, transferable method for embedding plural valuation and complexity-aware decision-making into stormwater planning. Its application reveals patterns of benefit realisation not captured by traditional cost–benefit analysis, supporting a shift toward more resilient, equitable, and system-aligned NbS investment in New Zealand and internationally.

In recent years, biochar has attracted considerable attention owing to its application in disposing a large range of organic and inorganic contaminants from industrial wastewater. In this context, one of the dual benefits from biochar application is greywater footprint reduction in industrial wastewater. The greywater footprint (GWF) is an important indicator tool for the determination of environmental impacts and risks in water pollution and scarcity to reduce climate change effects. The GWF is described as the quantity of fresh water required to dilute the contaminants to meet water quality standards. From this point of view, this study investigated GWF reduction by malt dust-derived biochar in terms of brewery wastewater treatment. The GWF was determined in terms of organic materials removal by considering the parameters of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solid (TSS). A data-driven analysis was performed by using Monte Carlo simulation based on the achieved data of COD and TSS removal from brewery wastewater by the agro-industrial biochar adsorption process. At the end of the analysis, a new data-driven parametric index (GWFI_BP) was developed based on the basic GWF tool. A data-driven model based on the parameters of COD and TSS was designed and operated to determine the effect of the dual benefits of the biochar adsorption process compared to the conventional activated sludge process. This tool was used by considering the treatment efficiencies, allowable discharge limits, and legal water pollution procedure. The analysis showed that an average GWF reduction of 21.59% was ensured by using agro-industrial biochar. The highest GWF reduction was observed in terms of COD removal with a value of 30.19%. Also, the malt dust which was the feedstock of the biochar was the by-product of the brewery industry, so a waste reduction was dually achieved with GWF reduction in this study.

Air pollution has become a significant public health concern in our country. In recent years, scientific research has focused mainly on the sources of pollution and its impacts on human health. This study was conducted as part of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation’s initiative to evaluate outdoor air pollution in the Elbasan region, one of the main industrial urban areas of Albania. The research aims to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of key atmospheric pollutants through real-time monitoring. The parameters measured include iBut, SO₂, PH₃, NH₃, O₃, NO, CO, CO₂, CH₄, O₂, H₂S, and NO₂, along with particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), ambient noise level, temperature, and relative humidity. Data were collected using portable air monitoring equipment, allowing high-resolution temporal analysis. The concentrations of pollutants were statistically evaluated and compared with the limit values established in the European Union Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. Preliminary findings reveal significant temporal variations in pollutant concentrations, primarily influenced by traffic density, industrial activities, and meteorological conditions. The results contribute to establishing a comprehensive air quality database for the Elbasan region and provide a scientific basis for evidence-based environmental management and policy planning in Albania.

Seasonal SMOG across the Indo-Pak border has become one of South Asia’s most critical environmental and public health challenges. More than 50 million tons of rice and wheat residues are burned openly, which releases millions of tons of greenhouse gases, particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), and notable amounts of black carbon. Severe respiratory illnesses and transboundary haze episodes that extend from Punjab to Delhi and Lahore are driven by these emissions, which also degrade regional air quality and visibility. Farmers continue to burn residues despite prohibitions and awareness campaigns because no accessible or reasonably priced management options are available. To investigate shared environmental responsibility in the management of agricultural residues, this study combines field data and policy analyses. It examines technological solutions such as biomass briquetting, bio-composting, and community-level residue collection that can lead to circular, low-emission rural economies. Briquetting alone can convert 25–30% of annual crop waste into renewable fuel, reducing CO and NOx emissions by up to 80% and providing additional income to rural households compared with open burning. The findings demonstrate that, to address SMOG as a shared resource-use issue rather than merely an agricultural one, integrated policies involving farmers, local governments, industries, and regional institutions are required. By converting residue burning from a source of pollution into a circular bioeconomy opportunity through incentive-based policies, coordinated technology adoption, and regional air quality frameworks, the Indo-Pak border region can benefit from cleaner air and sustainable livelihoods.

This study presents a comprehensive life cycle evaluation of next-generation photovoltaic (PV) systems, with particular emphasis on material flows, environmental impacts, and their alignment with circular economy principles. The analysis compares mono-crystalline silicon and perovskite photovoltaic technologies, assessing the environmental burdens associated with the production, operation, and end-of-life management of their materials, components, and structural elements. Environmental performance was quantified using the ReCiPe 2016 method for human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion, supplemented by the IPCC approach to evaluate life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

The results indicate that manufacturing and end-of-life stages are the most environmentally intensive phases of both PV technologies, primarily due to high energy requirements and the use of resource-intensive materials. Mono-Si modules were identified as the dominant contributors to overall environmental impacts, whereas perovskite-based systems exhibited notably lower burdens, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and diminished pressures on mineral and fossil resources.

Two end-of-life scenarios—landfill and recycling—were evaluated, demonstrating that recycling significantly reduces total environmental impacts and improves material recovery efficiency. These findings confirm the importance of circular design strategies, resource-efficient manufacturing, and advanced recycling technologies in enhancing the sustainability of emerging photovoltaic systems. The study provides valuable insights to support the development of cleaner, more resilient PV solutions that align with long-term circular-economy goals.