Facts and findings
Iraq stands as one of the world's most climate-vulnerable
nations, ranking as the fifth-most vulnerable country to climate breakdown,
facing unprecedented environmental challenges that threaten both human security
and economic stability. The country's environmental crisis is characterized by
multiple interconnected factors that have created a complex web of
climate-related vulnerabilities affecting millions of citizens across federal
Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The hydrological crisis represents perhaps the most severe
environmental challenge facing Iraq today. The flow of the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers, which provide 98% of Iraq's surface water, has decreased by 30-40% in
the past 40 years, creating unprecedented water scarcity that affects
agriculture, urban water supply, and ecosystem health. This water crisis is
compounded by regional geopolitical factors, as water policies in neighboring
countries further reduce downstream flows into Iraq. Climate projections
indicate that conditions will continue to deteriorate, with models predicting
that precipitation will decrease by 9% and mean annual temperatures will
increase by 2°C by 2050.
The environmental
degradation extends beyond water resources to encompass widespread ecosystem
collapse. Lakes, rivers, and marshlands are shrinking, and in some cases
entirely disappearing, while sandstorms are increasing in frequency and
severity, resulting in hospitalizations and the grounding of flights. These
extreme weather events reflect broader climate impacts, including soaring
temperatures, insufficient and diminishing rainfall, intensified droughts and
water scarcity, frequent sand and dust storms, and flooding.
Key Achievements in Iraq
and the KRI
National Framework
Development: Iraq
has developed its climate strategy through its Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC) and National Strategy for the Protection and Improvement of
the Environment (NSPIE). The Iraqi government has committed to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030, though Iraq has committed to
voluntarily reducing emissions by only 1 to 2% unconditionally.
Institutional Framework: The Permanent National Committee for Climate Change
(PNCCC) was established in 2011 and consists of the Prime Minister's Office
Advisory Committee, Iraqi ministries involved in climate change adaptation and
mitigation, municipalities, research institutions, and civil society organizations.
National Adaptation
Planning: Iraq is preparing its
Climate Change National Adaptation Plan, recognizing that Iraq is ranked the
fifth most vulnerable country to climate change.
Kurdistan
Region Achievements
Local Adaptation Plan: The Environmental Protection and Improvement Board
(EPIB), together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched
an initiative aimed at designing a Local Adaptation Plan (LAP) to enhance
national adaptive capacity and resilience in the Kurdistan region.
Climate Vulnerability
Assessment: A comprehensive Climate
Vulnerability Assessment was conducted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in June
2024, addressing the region's specific challenges, including rising
temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, more severe droughts, growing water
scarcity, and more frequent sand and dust storms.
Role of NGOs:
Environmental
Mobilization: Several nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) and campaigns led by the youth have initiated projects
such as forest plantation, monitoring, and raising awareness, though these
efforts are not sufficient to stop the trend of the devastating climate-induced
impacts.
Civil Society
Participation: Civil society
organizations are included in the Permanent National Committee for Climate
Change, showing formal recognition of their role in climate governance.
Challenges for NGOs: The research indicates that climate activism in Iraq
is a dangerous undertaking, suggesting that NGOs face significant challenges in
their environmental work.
Key Challenges:
Despite these achievements,
significant challenges remain. There is an absence of comprehensive climate
governance in the Kurdistan region, and any delay in climate governance
regarding mitigation and adaptation fuels the climate risks. The region still lacks
sufficient coordination and resources to effectively address the scale of
climate challenges it faces.
The international community,
including UNDP, USAID, and other organizations, continues to provide crucial
support for Iraq's climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, recognizing the
country's vulnerability and the regional implications of climate change
impacts.