BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 28 (IPS) – Climate change and water scarcity pose major threats to the stability, prosperity and well-being of Iraq’s people. The environmental challenges facing the country are complex and interlinked, and require a comprehensive and coordinated response.
In Iraq, under my leadership, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) has taken a leading role in addressing these critical issues. We are working tirelessly to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all Iraqis.
Through the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), we aim to leverage the diverse expertise and resources of different UN agencies to promote a coordinated and integrated approach to development challenges.
This collaborative model allows us to maximize our impact and provide holistic solutions to address the interconnected web of factors contributing to climate change and water scarcity.
This means not only limiting the direct impacts of these environmental threats, but also addressing the underlying causes, such as unsustainable water management practices and overreliance on fossil fuels.
The UN in Iraq has had a lasting impact in Iraq through a number of important initiatives. These include:
1) Creating climate resilience
Iraq is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, droughts and desertification, which severely impact agricultural productivity and social stability. To address this, the UNCT, in partnership with the Iraqi government, organized Iraq’s first climate conference in Basra in 2023. This event resulted in the “Basra Declaration” with key government commitments and initiatives such as a reforestation campaign, aimed at improving Iraq’s climate resilience.
These efforts have led to increased national and international awareness and cooperation on climate issues, creating a framework for future environmental and policy planning, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
The Basra Declaration aims to strengthen Iraq’s institutional, technical and financial capacities to address climate change by integrating medium- to long-term adaptation strategies into national and local planning.
2) Promoting water security
Iraq is facing a critical water crisis due to reduced rainfall and overuse of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These challenges are exacerbated by inefficient water management and agricultural practices.
Last year, Iraq became the first Middle Eastern country to join the UN Water Treaty, underscoring the country’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring equitable water use, which is essential for the region’s stability and prosperity.
In line with these national objectives, the RCO leads a ‘Water Task Force’ that brings together UN agencies in Iraq to improve water management, increase agricultural resilience and enhance sustainable water use.
For example, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are working together to integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology to optimize water use for agriculture. This is an essential step in increasing food security in Iraq.
Meanwhile, in Sinjar district, an initiative by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), funded by the Italian government, is transforming local access to water, in line with the need to ensure safe water for all Iraqis. Similarly, in Ninewa governorate, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) installed water desalination systems in seven villages, significantly improving living conditions.
3) The preservation of the Mesopotamian marshes
The Mesopotamian Marshes, a unique ecosystem and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are threatened by climate change, pollution and unsustainable water management practices, with serious ecological and human consequences.
The RCO coordinated the efforts of UN agencies to protect the marshes by developing environmental strategies, supporting reforestation projects and facilitating community-based adaptation plans to improve the livelihoods of local communities.
For example, the World Food Programme (WFP) is undertaking reforestation projects in both southern Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, in line with the government’s target to plant five million trees by 2029. These efforts contribute directly to the national climate change strategy through the local adaptation plan, which focuses on areas most affected by climate change.
In addition, the UN has taken the lead in implementing legislative developments in the area of natural resource management, including the adoption of the Environmental Strategy and the National Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable Land Management, which are crucial for agriculture and wetland conservation.
Thanks to these initiatives, ecological balance has been restored, local living conditions have improved and the resilience of the marshes to environmental problems has increased, thereby securing their status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4) Developing renewable energy policies
Iraq’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels not only limits economic stability, but also contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions. The country has significant potential for renewable energy development, but faces challenges in attracting investment and developing the necessary infrastructure.
To close this gap, the UN facilitated the revision and adoption of Iraq’s Renewable Energy Law, a crucial step to stimulate investment and development of renewable energy. The revised Renewable Energy Law has created a more conducive environment for investment in renewable energy.
Similarly, an initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting Iraq’s shift away from oil dependency, through the NAP – which outlines efforts to reduce emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change. The UN is also helping Iraq develop its NDCs for 2025, which is the country’s commitment to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change as part of the Paris Agreement.
These efforts have created opportunities for increased investment in renewable energy, which promotes sustainable economic growth and reduces the country’s carbon footprint.
A sustainable and resilient future for Iraq
The UN’s collective work in Iraq has set the country on a promising path toward climate sustainability and resilience. Our upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2025-2029 will outline our efforts to help Iraq mitigate and adapt to climate change, sustainably manage water resources, and protect its unique environmental and cultural heritage.
Looking ahead, the UN in Iraq remains committed to supporting the Government and people of Iraq in their quest for a sustainable and resilient future.
Ghulam Isaac is United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iraq. To learn more about the UN’s work in Iraq, visit Iraq.un.org.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
