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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Iraq

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Iraq

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Iraq faces severe environmental challenges driven by climate change, including rising temperatures, frequent dust storms, water scarcity, and increased extreme weather events. The country has experienced significant temperature increases over the past 20 years, with more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Air quality is poor due to sandstorms and industrial pollution, while water resources are declining due to reduced rainfall and upstream damming. Iraq has committed to the Paris Agreement and is developing renewable energy targets, but environmental protection and sustainability efforts remain limited due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure challenges.

Air Quality Index

0510

Poor

4.5/10(AQI: 165)

Worsening trend

Iraq's air quality is poor, with Baghdad ranking among the most polluted cities globally. Dust and sandstorms are intensifying, causing respiratory health crises. In April 2022, a single storm hospitalized 5,000 people and killed at least one. A month later, another storm covered Baghdad with 60 tons of sand and sent 4,000 to hospitals. PM2.5 levels in Baghdad are critically high, driven by sandstorms, industrial emissions, and oil refining.

Water Quality

0510

Poor

4.0/10

Iraq faces severe water scarcity due to declining rainfall, snowfall, and upstream damming by neighboring countries. Access to clean drinking water is limited, with many communities relying on untreated sources. Water pollution from oil industry waste, agricultural chemicals, and inadequate sewage treatment further degrades quality. The government has limited monitoring capacity, and treatment standards are often not met.

Many areas lack safe drinking water; treatment infrastructure is insufficient and pollution is widespread.

Recycling System

Iraq has minimal formal recycling infrastructure. Waste management is largely informal, with open dumping and burning common. Recycling rates are negligible, and there are no widespread programs for plastic, paper, or glass collection. The government has not implemented significant waste reduction or recycling policies.

Recycling Rate: 0.5%

Green Spaces

Iraq has very low forest coverage, estimated at 1.2%. Protected areas and national parks are limited, with most natural habitats degraded by conflict, agriculture, and urbanization. The country has few formal green spaces, and environmental conservation efforts are minimal.

Forest Coverage: 1.2%

National Parks: 3

Iraq has three national parks: Al-Hawiga, Al-Muthanna, and Tigris River Park. Most protected areas are small and poorly managed.

Environmental Policies

Iraq is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and has submitted National Determined Contributions (NDCs) targeting climate action. Key policies include renewable energy development, water resource management, and dust storm mitigation. However, enforcement is weak, and environmental laws are often not implemented due to conflict and institutional challenges.

Key Policies:

•Paris Agreement commitment
•National Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0)
•Renewable Energy Development Plan

Renewable Energy: Iraq aims to generate 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, focusing on solar and wind energy.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Iraq faces high natural disaster risk from earthquakes, floods, dust storms, and droughts. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of these events. Major disasters include the April 2022 dust storm (5,000 hospitalized, 1 killed) and May 2022 storm (4,000 hospitalized). Earthquakes are common due to tectonic activity, and floods occur during wet seasons.

earthquakesfloodsdust stormsdroughts

Climate Change Impacts: Climate change is causing increased average temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, and fewer cold days. Declining rainfall and snowfall are reducing water availability. Recurrent droughts and floods are disrupting ecosystems and livelihoods. Dust and sandstorms are rising in intensity and frequency, exacerbating respiratory health risks and infrastructure degradation. Precipitation is projected to decrease by 13–35 mm by 2030 and 8–29 mm by 2050.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Iraq is developing a Renewable Energy Development Plan to achieve 30% renewable electricity by 2030, focusing on solar and wind projects. The government is partnering with international investors to build solar farms in southern Iraq.

Water Resource Management

Iraq is implementing water conservation measures and upgrading irrigation systems to address scarcity. The government is negotiating with neighboring countries to secure water rights from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Dust Storm Mitigation

Iraq is planting vegetation and restoring degraded lands to reduce dust storm frequency. The government is working with international organizations to implement early warning systems for sandstorms.

Wildlife & Nature

Persian LeopardEndangered

Syrian Wild AssCritically Endangered

Iraqi Marsh FrogVulnerable

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