The Dying Land: Iraq's Environmental Emergency
Shafaq News/ Iraq is at a criticalenvironmental crossroads, grappling with escalating crises that threaten bothits landscapes and its people. From Baghdad’s dwindling green spaces to theKurdistan Region’s disappearing forests and the relentless spread of desertification,the environmental decline is accelerating. If left unchecked, thisdeterioration will have dire consequences for public health, agriculture, andthe country’s long-term stability.
Baghdad’s Vanishing Green Spaces
The Iraqi capital illustrates theconsequences of unchecked urbanization. Over the past two decades, Baghdad haslost more than half of its parks and green spaces, with a 2023 Ministry ofEnvironment report revealing that over 50% of these areas have been erased dueto unregulated development.
With the city's population surging from 5million in 2003 to over 8 million today, air pollution has worsened. The AirQuality Index (AQI) in Baghdad frequently exceeds 200, well above the safelimit of 50, with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide levels rivaling those inCairo and New Delhi. Environmental expert Omar Abdul-Latif warns, “Thedeteriorating air quality and intensifying urban heat island effect are clearsigns of an environmental crisis.”
Urban planning specialist Dr. Iqbal Latifstresses, “These areas play a critical role in cooling the city and improvingpublic health. Without urgent action, Baghdad will face worsening pollution andextreme heat.”
A Growing Public Health Crisis
As environmental conditions decline, thetoll on public health is rising. The Iraqi Ministry of Health reports a 32%increase in emergency room visits linked to air pollution in 2024 alone, withrespiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis surging.
Compounding the crisis, Baghdad nowregularly experiences record-high temperatures, often exceeding 45°C. The IraqiMeteorological Organization notes that the city's temperatures have risen by5°C over the past three decades, with densely built urban zones experiencingnight-time temperatures up to 7°C higher than in rural areas.
Deforestation and Desertification
Beyond the cities, Iraq’s forests arevanishing at an alarming rate. The Ministry of Agriculture reports that 140,000hectares of tree cover have been lost since 2000, with nearly half of thatoccurring in the past decade. By 2022, forests covered just 1.9% of Iraq’stotal land area.
The Kurdistan Region has been particularlyaffected, with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reporting a 30% loss inforested land over the past 20 years. Illegal logging and land conversioncontinue to accelerate deforestation, despite legal protections. Environmentalspecialist Rania Fadil warns, “We are already witnessing increased soildegradation and more frequent flooding. If we don’t act soon, an environmentalcatastrophe is inevitable.”
This deforestation has also had adevastating impact on biodiversity. Iraq has lost 45% of its date palms overthe past two decades due to environmental degradation and pest infestations.The loss of tree cover has further accelerated soil erosion and desertification.According to the UN Environment Programme, Iraq has lost 60% of its fertileland in the past 40 years.
Water scarcity compounds the crisis, withnearly 20% of Iraq’s farmland at risk of turning into desert due to dwindlingwater supplies. A 2024 World Bank report ranked Iraq as the 11th mostvulnerable country to climate risks, citing its exposure to extreme weather anddeclining rainfall, which has dropped by 30% over the past five decades.
Government Initiatives: Too Little, TooSlow?
In response, the Iraqi government haslaunched several initiatives, including the “Baghdad Sustainable Forest”project, introduced by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in December 2024.The project aims to mitigate the heat island effect by planting 10 milliontrees by 2030. Additionally, the “Green Baghdad” initiative, launched in 2023,seeks to expand green spaces by 15% within five years, with plans for 108 newparks and over five million seedlings.
While these efforts signal progress,enforcement remains a major hurdle. Illegal construction continues to encroachon protected green areas, and weak coordination between ministries slowsmeaningful action. Policy analyst Dr. Zainab Al-Jabouri cautions, “Withoutstronger coordination and enforcement, these initiatives will remain symbolicrather than transformative.”
