Financing biodiversity for sustainable development in Morocco: Public expenditure trends, governance, and pathways to 2035
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Reda Benhima 1 * , Nabil Dahhou 2 , Achraf Mabrouk 3 , Ayoub Souileh 4 , Ahmed Birouk 5 , Mohammed Ibriz 1
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1 Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnologies, and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, MOROCCO2 Laboratory of Economics and Organizations Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, Ibn Tofail University, MOROCCO3 National Forestry School of Engineers (ENFI), Tabriquet, Salé, MOROCCO4 Laboratory of Applied Geophysics, Geotechnics, Engineering Geology, and Environment (L3GIE), Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University, MOROCCO5 Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine Hassan II (IAV Hassan II), Madinat Al Irfane, MOROCCO* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Biodiversity loss remains one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, driven in part by insufficient, fragmented, and poorly aligned financial flows. Although the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for a substantial scaling-up of biodiversity finance, empirical national-level assessments remain scarce, particularly in developing and middle-income countries. This study evaluates biodiversity-related expenditures in Morocco over the period 2019–2024 and explores alternative financing trajectories up to 2035. Using a Biodiversity Expenditure Evaluation framework aligned with the BIOFIN methodology, the analysis identifies, classifies, and quantifies public, international, and non-state financial flows that contribute directly or indirectly to biodiversity objectives. The results reveal persistent underinvestment, a declining expenditure trend, strong institutional concentration, and a thematic bias toward conservation and sustainable use, to the detriment of ecosystem restoration and systemic interventions. Scenario-based projections indicate that maintaining current expenditure patterns would be insufficient to halt biodiversity degradation. In contrast, a progressive scaling-up of investments toward approximately 0.3% of GDP by 2035, combined with improved public financial management and diversified financing instruments, could significantly enhance alignment with international biodiversity targets. This study contributes to sustainable development and biodiversity finance literature by providing a longitudinal, policy-relevant assessment of national biodiversity expenditures and by highlighting key structural reforms needed to support a resilient and nature-positive financing framework.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, Volume 10, Issue 4, 2026, Article No: em0425

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/19015

Publication date: 01 Oct 2026

Online publication date: 25 Jul 2026

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Article Downloads: 7

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