Water-related challenges are at the forefront of Iraq''s environmental problems. Models predict that precipitation will decrease by 9% and mean annual temperatures will increase by 2°C by 2050.[4] 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.[5] The water resources of these two rivers are also shared with neighboring countries. Iraq''s water supplies have significantly decreased over time due to dam construction from upstream nations.[6]
In 2019 Iraq contributed 0.5% to global carbon emissions.[7] Iraq''s energy sector and fugitive emissions account for three-fourths of the nation''s emissions.[7] Specifically, Iraq''s oil and gas sectors produced 9% of global methane emissions in 2019, a portion of which is from gas flares.[2] The waste, industrial, and agriculture sectors are the other sectors contributing to Iraq''s greenhouse gas emissions.
Iraq produced an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), which is a set of policies and goals for how Iraq can address climate change. Iraq wants to reduce emissions by 15% by 2035, with a specific focus on lowering their methane emissions.[8] Iraq ratified the Paris Treaty in 2021 and committed to specific actions to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which are coordinated by a newly established inter-ministerial national task force on methane emissions.[9]
Iraq is ecologically vulnerable to climate change due to a variety of interconnected reasons. Iraq is in a dry region of the world and it can be divided into three areas: the arid deserts of the south, the semi-arid alluvial plains, and the mountainous northern region.[7] Along with its arid land, Iraq has faced political turmoil, poor management of scarce resources, and the degradation of key ecosystems.[10]
As water levels fall, increasing salinity of the water supply has become a concern in southern Iraq, especially in Basra.[22]
Climate change has intensified extreme weather events, particularly droughts and floods. Decreased rainfall and increasing temperatures are the main drivers of drought. Iraq''s drought problem has only deepened, with 2018 and 2021 being the first and second driest recorded years, respectively.[16]
The Mesopotamian Marshes in southern Iraq, an ecosystem important to animals and humans alike, has deteriorated due to anthropogenic factors and climate change. After the draining of the marshes, the marsh ecosystem has become much more susceptible to impacts such as water shortages, heat waves, and drought.[6] Sea level rise and water salinization combined with long dry periods have deteriorated the marshes. As of 2023, the Center for Restoration of Iraqi Marshes and Wetlands at the Ministry for Water Resources estimates that 70% of the marshes are devoid of water.[23]
Additionally, the relationship between climate change and regional conflict dynamics in Iraq negatively impacts livelihoods. The combination of weak governance, scarce natural resources, and conflict poses unique challenges to the livelihoods of the Iraqi people; for instance, resource scarcity that leads to in-community tension or weak governance leading to mismanagement of water.[25]
Iraq''s economy is extremely dependent on oil, which makes the nation more at risk to market volatility.[26] Iraq''s agricultural sector accounts for approximately 5% of the nation''s GDP and is the source of livelihood for about 25% of the population.[4] Iraq''s largest food-producing industries, agriculture, livestock husbandry, and fishing, have all been negatively affected by the effects of climate change.[27] With reduced precipitation and scarce water, desertification, and soil degradation, both livelihoods and food security are put at risk.
In 1992, during the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein ordered the draining of the Mesopotamian Marshes of southern Iraq to punish the Marsh Arabs for revolting during the 1991 Iraqi uprising against his government. Over 90% of the marshes was lost during Hussein''s rule, which has intensified the effects of climate change.[36] The draining led to the internal displacement of over 200,000 Ma''dan (Marsh Arabs) over the 1990s.[37] The Marsh Arabs endured a government-backed campaign of violence which countries such as the United States have deemed to be an act of ecocide or ethnic cleansing.[38][39]
USAID, a United States governmental agency investing in foreign development, has put in 150 million dollars to improve water quality, access and handling.[49] The United Nations, alongside the government of Iraq, the United States and international donors created the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) with over 1.4 billion dollars allocated for restoring essential services.[50]
Media plays a huge role in the dissemination of information throughout Iraq, expanding the conversation worldwide. Outlets such as Al-Jazeera English have published documentary films on the ongoing water crisis, as well as peace building series: Climate Change in Iraq, which aims to engage with youth.[51]
Many international organizations are developing mitigation approaches for localized and statewide use. Economic and political reform will in turn help developing strategies to fight climate change.[52] There is increasing initiatives on regional dialogue on climate change, and these initiatives are particularly prominent in the largest cities such as Baghdad.[53]
Mitigation strategies involve reducing methane, which is seen by many groups, scientists, and activists as one of the most cost-effective and simplest ways to reduce climate change.[54] As Iraq contributes heavily to methane emissions due to gas and oil production, the Iraqi government has aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emission by 15% by 2030.[8]
This article incorporates public domain material from the USAID
Preparing for and addressing the risks associated with climate-induced migration requires urgent and coordinated action. This report reviews the state of climate migration in Iraq, and considers how the Government of Iraq, international actors, and communities can mitigate, address, and prepare for its consequences. Timing is vital, and this year presents several critical opportunities to address climate migration in key international and national policy frameworks. This report identifies opportunities for action, sets out key issues related to climate migration, and concludes by offering recommendations for strategic engagement on the issue of climate migration over the next 12 months.
The United Nations in Iraq comprises two field missions (UNAMI and UNITAD), UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, working at the community, governorate and national levels across the Republic of Iraq.
IRAQ, 16 November: In recent years, a silent enemy has been making its way into southern Iraq. Low levels of water flow from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which converge in the lowlands of Basra, have failed to push back the tidal wave of salty seawater inching northward. This creeping saltwater is destroying countless palm groves, citrus trees, and other agricultural crops in its path, that have flourished for millennia, thanks to the shade provided by the palm trees, protecting them from the scorching sunlight.
Adnan Khdheir Al-Sinafi, from Al-Bihar district in Iraq''s southernmost governorate, Basra, has worked on this palm grove his entire life, as his ancestors did for generations. Adnan and many others like him have found themselves faced with two choices: to stay and persist – which has often resulted in big losses for the farmers – or to leave in search of livelihoods elsewhere.
Adnan has tried both. And if action is not taken now, this will most likely be the inevitable destiny of many more in the coming years as conditions become increasingly volatile in Iraq due to climate change.
"This land was paradise. Sunlight did not reach the ground because of how densely packed the palm trees were. I planted citrus fruit trees in their shade, and we had more than 60 varieties of the highest quality dates, such as Al-Barhi, Sayer, Gintar and Balyani," Adnan recalls.
"With increasing salinity, I saw how my trees died and the land degraded gradually. I kept trying, and I kept farming every year, but all my efforts failed. I lost about 45 million Iraqi dinars (USD30,000)."
Further north, in Thi-Qar Governorate, the marshes are drying up due to low levels of water in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers due to decreased rainfall; the construction of dams in neighbouring Türkiye and Iran on the rivers or their tributaries; and an absence of sustainable management of water resources locally. These marshes were famous for their biodiversity, sustained communities and their livestock and fishing practices, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia.
"The water scarcity and salinity has caused degradation of the ecosystem and biodiversity of the fauna and flora in this area," says Dr. Wisam Kadhim Sankour Al-Asadi. Born and raised in the Chebayesh marshes, he now works with the Iraqi Green Climate Organization, a local NGO dedicated to preserving the marshes, on building resilience in marshland communities in the face of climate change.
"The number of buffalo and fish has decreased dramatically in recent years, which has caused many people to lose their livelihoods," he adds. "In 10 years, the landscape of the marshlands will change forever. We already see it unfolding before our eyes the marshes are gradually going extinct".
But the impact of climate change runs deeper. Rural-urban migration in response to environmental degradation and natural hazards is rising at an alarming rate as families seek employment in urban areas or are forced to send their children to work in cities to cope with the loss of income.
About Iraq climate change
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Iraq climate change have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Iraq climate change for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Iraq climate change featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
