SDG 11 Sustainable cities and economies<br />Goal 13 (Climate Action) <br />Dr. Malik Mustafa Mohammed<br /><br />Iraq’s Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) <br />1. Introduction<br />Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As a nation highly vulnerable to climate extremes, Iraq faces significant challenges, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, and desertification. This report assesses Iraq’s progress toward SDG 13, highlighting key initiatives, barriers, and pathways for achieving climate resilience. <br />2. Iraq’s Climate Vulnerability <br />- Extreme Heat: Summer temperatures now regularly exceed 50°C, with 2023 recording Baghdad’s hottest July in history. <br />- Water Scarcity: Reduced rainfall and upstream damming of the Tigris-Euphrates basin have shrunk water resources by 40% since the 1970s. <br />- Desertification: Over 39% of Iraq’s land is affected by desertification, threatening agriculture and livelihoods. <br />- Economic Reliance on Fossil Fuels: Oil exports account for 90% of government revenue, exacerbating carbon emissions. <br />3. SDG 13 Targets and Iraq’s Commitments<br />Iraq’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement includes: <br />1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030 (conditional on international support). <br />2. Expanding renewable energy to 33% of the energy mix by 2030. <br />3. Restoring 2 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. <br />4. Progress and Initiatives <br />- Renewable Energy: <br /> - Launched a 1-GW solar park in Baghdad, with UAE’s Masdar as a key partner. <br /> - Pilot rooftop solar projects in public institutions (e.g., Al-Mustansiriya University). <br />- Reforestation: <br /> - “Green Iraq” initiative aims to plant 5 million trees annually to combat desertification. <br />- Policy Frameworks: <br /> - Iraq’s 2023 Renewable Energy Strategy prioritizes solar and wind energy. <br /> - Joined the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. <br />5. Challenges to SDG 13 Implementation <br />1. Political Instability: Conflict and governance gaps delay climate policy execution. <br />2. Funding Shortfalls: Limited domestic budgets and reliance on fragmented international aid. <br />3. Technical Capacity: Gaps in climate data collection and green technology adoption. <br />4. Public Awareness: Low prioritization of climate action among citizens and institutions. <br />6. Case Studies <br />- Marshlands Restoration: UNESCO-supported efforts to revive the Mesopotamian Marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through water management and community engagement. <br />- Solar-Powered Agriculture: NGOs in Basra are introducing solar irrigation systems to reduce diesel use in farming. <br />- Disaster Risk Reduction: UNDP-funded early warning systems for sandstorms, which displaced 10,000+ people in 2023. <br />7. Recommendations <br />1. Strengthen Governance: Establish a centralized climate change authority to coordinate policies. <br />2. Mobilize Finance: <br /> - Seek grants from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and partnerships with Gulf nations. <br /> - Redirect oil revenues toward renewable energy projects. <br />3. Community Engagement: <br /> - Educate farmers on drought-resistant crops and water-saving techniques. <br /> - Involve youth in tree-planting campaigns via social media outreach. <br />4. International Collaboration: <br /> - Partner with Germany and the UAE for solar technology transfer. <br /> - Align with regional initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Middle East Green Initiative. <br />8. Economic and Social Co-Benefits <br />- Job Creation: Renewable energy projects could employ 50,000+ Iraqis by 2030. <br />- Health Improvements: Reducing fossil fuel use could curb air pollution, linked to 20,000+ annual deaths in Iraq. <br />-Climate Resilience: Restored wetlands and forests enhance biodiversity and food security. <br />9. Conclusion <br />Iraq’s path to SDG 13 is fraught with challenges but offers transformative opportunities. By leveraging its solar potential, restoring ecosystems, and aligning with global climate frameworks, Iraq can mitigate risks, protect vulnerable populations, and transition toward a sustainable future. Success hinges on political will, international support, and inclusive community participation. <br />References: Iraq’s NDC (2022), UNDP Iraq Climate Reports, World Bank Data.<br />Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq<br />