Scientists from various disciplines have conducted thorough investigations into the impact of human activities on the global climate. The evidence supporting climate change is overwhelming, with data indicating a clear correlation between the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the rise in global temperatures.Over the course of the industrial revolution, the levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs), notably carbon dioxide (CO2), in the atmosphere have surged by over 50%, surpassing levels not seen in the past 800,000 years.

The latest assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has revealed that the Earth’s temperature has risen by approximately 1.1 to 1.3°C compared to pre-industrial levels. This report emphasizes the significant impact of human activities on the process of global warming and underscores the alarming speed and scale of this phenomenon. According to climate models, if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace, the average global temperature could increase by 2°C to 4°C by the end of the century.Such a temperature rise would have far-reaching and severe effects on various aspects of life, including resources, the global economy, public health, and the safety of billions of people around the world. The consequences of this increase would be increasingly noticeable and could lead to dramatic changes in the environment and society as a whole. The urgency of addressing this issue and taking meaningful action to mitigate the impact of climate change has never been more apparent.

The 2015 Paris Agreement is a significant achievement in the global effort to combat climate change. It was endorsed by 195 countries and is designed to restrict the increase in global temperatures to well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, with the additional goal of striving to limit it to 1.5°C. Despite this, the commitments made by individual nations are not adequate to tackle the immense obstacles presented by the substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of a fair and comprehensive transition to a climate-friendly society, while upholding the principles of shared responsibility based on each nation’s capabilities and nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in Dubai underscored the critical significance of decarbonization in the fight against global climate change. One of the key highlights of COP28 was the approval of the inaugural global evaluation, which assesses the current advancements and lays out a plan to enhance climate actions in alignment with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.The global assessment unveiled during the conference indicated that to cap climate warming at 1.5°C, there needs to be a 43% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to the levels recorded in 2019. This ambitious target emphasizes the pressing necessity for nations to ramp up their decarbonization endeavours, while simultaneously expediting the shift towards renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and phasing out the use of fossil fuels.

Furthermore, it is crucial to decarbonize territories to effectively address climate change and secure a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving future. The shift towards a decarbonized economy fosters creativity and opens up new employment prospects, thereby bolstering local economic advancement. The advancement of sustainable energies, energy efficiency, and clean technologies strengthens territories’ ability to withstand the impact of fossil fuels, energy cost fluctuations, and supply interruptions. Furthermore, the implementation of decarbonization tactics leads to an enhancement in air quality, resulting in a decrease in respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, as well as an overall improvement in public health. To accomplish this, it is imperative to combine local initiatives on a global scale.

Also,achieving territorial decarbonization requires a comprehensive and diverse approach, which involves multiple stakeholders and strategies. Decarbonizing the economy entails taking decisive measures in industrial activities, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and the advancement of renewable energies. In addition, it is crucial to enhance energy efficiency, particularly through building renovations and the adoption of innovative and clean technologies. Furthermore, sustainable mobility needs to be promoted by expanding public transport networks, encouraging cycling and electric vehicles, and providing cycle lanes and charging stations.

Another crucial issue is germane to the effective management of waste which is a key component in the process of decarbonization that involves strategies such as waste minimization, recycling initiatives, and the establishment of energy recovery facilities for waste that cannot be recycled. It is salient to educate and raise awareness among the public and businesses regarding the advantages of decarbonization and sustainable practices, while also encouraging community involvement in the planning and execution of decarbonization projects. To achieve success in territorial decarbonization efforts, it is essential to embrace innovation, adopt new technologies, utilize participatory approaches, and conduct multidisciplinary scientific research. These elements are crucial in fostering a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by climate change, and in integrating technical, economic, and social perspectives to formulate cohesive and sustainable strategies for decarbonization.

Within this framework, the International Research and Capacity Building Center (CI2RC), the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FFN, Germany), the association ENERGIES 2050, and the School of Technology Essaouira, Cadi Ayyad University (ESTE, UCA) are collaborating to organize the 5th edition of the International Conference on Climate Change (CI2C_2024) from October 31 to November 2, 2024. This event is being launched under the theme « Decarbonization as Climate Solutions for a Sustainable Future, » in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The conference aims to bring together policymakers, international organizations, research experts, academic institutions, specialized doctoral students, private sector actors, and representatives of civil society to explore the connections between climate change, sustainable territorial development, and decarbonization.CI2C_2024 seeks to facilitate discussions on global changes and their impacts on resources and biodiversity, as well as the opportunities and challenges of decarbonization across various sectors. The conference will also address mitigation solutions, the effectiveness of existing policies, programs, and laws, financing strategies, governance tools, leadership and investment opportunities, and the role of innovation, training, and capacity building in the short, medium, and long term. Furthermore, the outputs of all working sessions and the best papers presented will be published in a collective work edited by Springer Nature Book Publisher, ensuring that the valuable insights and discussions from the conference are shared with a wider audience.

It is important to highlight that CI2C_2024 builds upon the achievements of the four previous editions: International Conference of Innovative Territories, with themes such as « From Creativity in the City to the Creative City » (Essaouira, CITI_2019); « From Intelligence in the City to the Smart City: New Paradigms » (Essaouira, CITI_2020); the inaugural edition of the International Conference on Climate Change (Marrakech, CI2C_2022) which not only brought together specialists, researchers, territorial actors, public/private entities, and international organizations but also saw the establishment of the Moroccan network of experts in smart cities. Additionally, the second edition of the International Conference on Climate Change focused on « Climate, Security, and Development: Challenges and Opportunities of a Just Transition » (Essaouira, CI2C_2023).Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the papers chosen through anonymous evaluation during the last two conferences are currently being compiled into a collective publication, which will be edited by Springer Nature Book Publisher. These scholarly gatherings, held in Morocco and attended by participants from various countries globally, serve as a prominent international platform that delves into contemporary transformations, paradigm shifts, the intricacies of issues, and possibilities for change rooted in a thoughtful examination of historical, scientific, theoretical, and strategic aspects of action, creativity, and environmental innovation within a sustainability framework.The interdisciplinary and multidimensional approach of these conferences is characterized by dialogue, collaboration, mutual partnerships, collective intelligence, and innovation. Communication submissions are encouraged to align with the overarching themes, which include but are not limited to topics related to climate change, smart cities, sustainable development, and innovative solutions for environmental challenges.