Addressing the climate crisis in Iraq is essential for protecting human rights and ensuring the well-being of its citizens amid ongoing environmental degradation.

Iraq is grappling with a severe climate crisis that poses a significant human rights issue, impacting millions of its citizens.

Currently, over 140,000 Iraqis are displaced due to climate-induced factors such as drought and land degradation, which could exacerbate social tensions and unrest.

Environmental degradation is evident in Iraq through shrinking lakes, rivers, and marshlands, alongside an increase in sandstorms that contribute to health issues and disrupt daily life.

Despite the climate crisis, Iraq remains a major oil producer, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through gas flaring, which accounts for nearly 10% of global flaring emissions.

A recent study revealed that 60% of farmers have reduced their cultivated land due to drought, resulting in increased costs for livestock feed and heightened vulnerability among small-scale farmers and nomadic communities.

The government has recognized the health impacts of oil production pollution, linking it to rising cancer rates in affected communities.

To effectively combat climate change, Iraq must diversify its economy away from its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which currently dominate its revenue and employment.

The country has been ranked as the fifth most vulnerable to global warming, a situation exacerbated by conflict-related pollution and inadequate environmental management.

Recent government initiatives include a commitment to renewable energy and a national strategy for environmental protection, aiming to reduce gas flaring by 2027.

As of 2023, the country faces water scarcity and extreme temperatures that have devastated agricultural land, leading to substantial crop failures and threatening food security.