Comparative evaluation of environmental impact assessment frameworks in Morocco and the World Bank using structured performance criteria

Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractPublic infrastructure projects can generate complex and potentially irreversible environmental and social effects; hence, the adequacy of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) frameworks is central to safeguarding people and ecosystems. This study provides a structured comparative analysis of Morocco’s EIA framework (Law 12-03 and its reform Law 49-17) and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), using a 17-criterion performance model to identify key alignments, gaps, and priorities for regulatory reform. A documentary analysis of binding laws, decrees, and official guidance was conducted, and each criterion was rated as met, partially met, not met, or not assessed. The ESF fully meets 15 criteria, partially meets one (climate change), and one criterion (costs and benefits) could not be assessed. Morocco’s framework fully meets 11 criteria, partially meets three, does not meet two, and the costs–benefits criterion could not be assessed. Convergence is observed in core project-level requirements, including the legal basis, scope, standardized reporting, review, mitigation, impact monitoring, and consultation. Remaining gaps in Morocco are concentrated in operational and system-level instruments, notably screening, implementation of strategic assessments, system monitoring, and explicit treatment of ecosystem services; climate change adaptation is also not operationalized in either system. The findings highlight practical implications for both frameworks, while identifying prioritized implementation directions for Morocco, particularly regulatory operationalization and institutional strengthening, to improve alignment with contemporary assessment standards.