The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is characterized by a Mediterranean climate (boreal winter rainfall and hot and dry summers), while the south of Iraq, has warm desert conditions characterized by an environment subtropical with higher temperatures and much lower rainfall. The average annual temperature across Iraq is around 22 °C but varies from as low as 8 °C in the high mountains to as high as 28 °C in the hot and dry southern desert. Minimum temperatures in the Kurdistan region can reach below zero in the winter in January and February, while maximum temperatures in the south exceed 45°C through the summer months.
Five climate physical impacts are felt in Kurdistan: Declining seasonal rains, unprecedented drought, desertification in semi-arid areas, high temperature, and frequent dust storms. In addition to continued global warming, these impacts intersect with a lack of infrastructures such as sanitation, energy efficiency, and effective water management, causing irreparable eco-socioeconomic damages. This means that human factors have also contributed to the region's climate crisis in different ways.
Globally, as climate change intensifies, impacting human health, livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems, nations are racing against time to reduce losses and damages. Climate change and environmental degradation have risen worldwide, becoming primary challenges that nations face. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2011 to 2020 was the warmest decade on record, with glaciers and ice sheets losing their form, along with other significant environmental changes[1].
In facing climate change to minimize its impacts, not all regions of the world are in the same boat. In other words, the effects of climate change vary depending on the region's climate conditions and their natural characteristics in terms of land cover, availability of water sources, humidity, and proximity to the seas. This leads countries to address climate initiatives to reduce climate-related risks, focusing on climate governance as a tool to sustain the economy, agriculture, and natural resources.
[1] “Rate and Impact of Climate Change Surges Dramatically in 2011-2020.” World Meteorological Organization, December 14, 2023. https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/rate-and-impact-of-climate-change-surges-dramatically-2011-2020.
This article emphasizes the importance of climate governance in Iraqi Kurdistan, exploring the factors behind the absence of climate policies within complex environmental decision-makers. Despite the region's unprecedented droughts, high temperatures, and desertification due to climate change in semi-arid areas, the responsible government entities for environmental issues are divided among several sectors, including the military section.
Outdated law
By reviewing existing environmental literature and official documents in the Kurdistan region, we explore that the absence of new climate legislation and updated environmental laws are the causes of ineffective environmental policies in the region. The issuance of the first environmental protection and improvement laws, dating back to 2008, updated since 2010. Since then, the law has not been updated and the parliament of the Kurdistan region has not devoted any of its sessions to addressing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and society, posing significant challenges for environmental assessment and analysis.
In addition to not being updated, the Environmental Protection and Improvement Law did not address climate change in any of its articles, which makes it inconsistent with the climate reality in the Kurdistan Region, which is witnessing a sharp rise in temperatures and frequent dust storms, not to mention the shortage of water and energy.
A closer look at this law shows that it does not distinguish between what is environmental and what is climate-related, not to mention the superficiality of some of its provisions regarding biodiversity and ecosystems in general, which makes it ineffective in responding to the effects of climate change.
The regional Iraqi Kurdistan government established the Board of Environmental Protection and Improvement after 2008. The board is responsible for issuing instructions, and regulations, granting licenses and approvals for environmentally friendly initiatives. It also issued Instructions No. (2) of 2009 for the Environmental Protection and Improvement Fund in Kurdistan Region-Iraq, outlining its purpose to support sustainable environmental projects, innovations, research, and public awareness. The fund focuses on environmental priorities, managing reserves, investing in eco-friendly technologies, and responding to environmental disasters while operating under strict financial auditing and reporting standards.
Moreover, Law No. (8) of 2008 was updated in 2010 to add further insights on the Board, but the core content remained the same.
Climate initiatives required new legislation and to update the laws further, enforcing regulations in industries, cities, and workplaces to make them climate-resilient. Additionally, Kurdistan has various official environmental entities, including the Environmental Police, the Board, the Forest Police, the Environmental Peshmerga Force, and numerous international and local organizations. However, there is a lack of interconnectedness between these sectors, which should be robustly linked. These entities must collaborate closely, especially with the health sector. This report explores the relationship between these environmental bodies, the challenges they face, and the need for updated climate and environmental legislation. Finally, it will provide critical initiatives and solutions for the Kurdistan Region-Iraq to adopt immediately.
ineffective environmental management
In addition to the Environmental Board, there are several other environmental official entities in Kurdistan such as the Forest Police, the Environmental Peshmerga(military) body, and the General Directorate of Forestry and Pastures in the Ministry of Agriculture. However, these environmental bodies are not interconnected and no collaborations are held between them. According to an investigative report, these official environmental committees work separately with insufficient coordination and communication, which undermines their overall effectiveness. What this fragmentation in environmental work means is the multiplicity of decision-making centers, which weakens the formulation of climate policies.
Some literature reviews reveal that there has been some cooperation between the health and environment sectors in Kurdistan. For instance, the Kurdistani Nwê newspaper reported in 2001 that the health sector in Sulaymaniyah province established an environment and prevention department, which enhanced cooperation to address common issues. The collaboration extended to solving problems in areas like animal management in slaughterhouses, where both environmental and health authorities worked together.
Despite the limited scope of this form of cooperation and its failure to include the broader environmental aspect, it demonstrates an interconnectedness between public sectors. However, recent data reveals that many environmental departments remain disconnected from one another and other sectors. There is a pressing need to enhance interdepartmental relationships and promote collaborative efforts across all sectors to address environmental challenges effectively.
As environmental crises resulting from anthropogenic climate change decrease and have multidimensional impacts, any delay in climate governance regarding mitigation and adaptation fuels the climate risks and exposes many aspects to real danger. Several sectors in the Kurdistan region are affected by human-induced climate change, such as air pollution which exacerbates respiratory illnesses and shortens the lifespan of plant life, not to mention economy and subsistence farming. To tackle these issues, a comprehensive framework of public policies and laws with coordinated strategies is essential. Cross-sectoral approaches are crucial for achieving effective governance in environmental matters[2]. Global initiatives, such as the United Nations Forum on Forests, advocate for enhanced policy coordination and cooperation among sectors that intersect with environmental concerns, including land use, poverty alleviation, food security, energy, and environmental protection (Agenda 21, Chapter 8; Commission on Sustainable Development, 1996).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq faces significant challenges in addressing climate change due to the absence of effective climate governance. Despite the severe climate impacts such as drought, rising temperatures, and desertification, the region's outdated environmental laws and fragmented decision-making processes hinder progress. Without updated legislation and better coordination among various environmental entities, tackling these issues will remain difficult. To move forward, the region must adopt comprehensive climate policies, improve collaboration between sectors, and prioritize sustainable environmental practices. Only then can the Kurdistan Region mitigate climate risks and protect its ecosystems and communities.
[2] Schmithüsen, F. (2003). Chapter 1 understanding cross-sectoral policy impacts – policy and legal aspects. FAO Forestry Paper 142. https://www.fao.org/4/y4653e/y4653e04.htm
