Environmental Auditing and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Moroccan Experience

Purpose This study investigates the role of environmental auditing in promoting sustainable development, with a particular focus on the Moroccan experience. It seeks to assess how auditing contributes to environmental governance, accountability, and policy coherence, and to examine the extent to which Morocco’s practices align with international standards such as INTOSAI guidelines and ISO 14001. Methods The research adopts a descriptive–analytical and comparative design. It relies primarily on secondary data, including official reports from the Cour des Comptes and the Conseil Économique, Social et Environnemental (CESE), complemented by national strategies and international benchmarks. Quantitative analysis was applied to implementation rates and compliance indicators, while qualitative thematic analysis using NVivo was conducted to identify recurring patterns such as “weak data infrastructure” and “policy fragmentation.” Comparative insights were drawn from international cases including Japan, Brazil, and South Korea. Results Findings reveal that Morocco has made progress in institutionalizing environmental auditing, yet its transformative potential remains limited. Only 16% of audit recommendations were implemented (CESE, 2020), reflecting systemic barriers such as fragmented data systems, overlapping mandates, and weak institutional responsiveness. Case studies of Fès and Missour highlight regional disparities, while international comparisons show that countries with strong legal frameworks and binding follow-up mechanisms have achieved greater impact. Nonetheless, positive developments include the gradual adoption of ISO 14001 standards, pilot waste-to-energy initiatives, and an expanding role for civil society. Conclusions Environmental auditing in Morocco currently functions more as a diagnostic tool than as a transformative governance instrument. To bridge the implementation gap, institutional reforms are needed, including establishing a specialized environmental audit unit, embedding ISO 14001 into public procurement, creating open data dashboards for tracking recommendations, and providing differentiated support to municipalities. The study contributes to the global debate by reframing environmental auditing as both a technical and normative mechanism, underscoring the importance of institutional effectiveness, political will, and participatory accountability in aligning national policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).