Climate profile: Iraq

With Iraq heavily dependent on its agricultural output for both food security and economic growth, the rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and changing precipitation patterns have all contributed to the decline in agricultural productivity, particularly in the south and central regions of the country. Droughts and desertification have led to the degradation of soil quality, reducing the land available for cultivation and the yields of crops such as wheat, barley, and cotton. Meanwhile, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods and sandstorms, have damaged crops, infrastructure, and irrigation systems, further undermining the sector’s resilience. These climate-induced challenges have been exacerbated by decades of conflict, political instability, and inadequate investment in agricultural infrastructure, leading to high rates of poverty and food insecurity among rural communities.

With Iraq already facing severe water scarcity and management challenges, the rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and changing precipitation patterns have led to increased water stress, reduced water availability, and deteriorating water quality. In particular, the southern and central regions of Iraq, which are heavily dependent on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, have experienced a decline in water availability due to the construction of dams upstream, upstream diversions, and increasing demand for irrigation and drinking water. This has led to a reduction in the flow of the rivers, reduced water levels in lakes and reservoirs, and increased salinization and pollution of groundwater resources. Moreover, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, have further exacerbated the water management challenges, damaging infrastructure and disrupting water supply services. The impact of these challenges has been felt most acutely by vulnerable populations, particularly rural communities and internally displaced people, who are more reliant on agriculture and informal water sources.

As Iraq faces multiple health challenges due to decades of conflict and political instability, the rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns caused by climate change have led to an increase in heat-related illnesses, such as heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as sandstorms and floods, have led to an increase in respiratory and skin diseases, injuries, and mental health issues. The impact of climate change has been particularly acute in vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are more susceptible to the health effects of extreme heat and poor air quality. The health impacts of climate change are further compounded by inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and high rates of poverty and malnutrition.

Iraq’s electricity sector, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, has been challenged by the rising temperatures and declining water availability caused by climate change. Higher temperatures have led to increased energy demand for cooling, exacerbating the already strained power supply. Moreover, declining water availability has hampered the operation of hydroelectric dams, leading to reduced electricity generation capacity. The transportation sector has also been affected, with the increasing frequency and severity of sandstorms damaging roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The impact of climate change has been particularly acute in areas affected by conflict, where infrastructure has been destroyed and service delivery disrupted. This has hindered the country’s efforts to provide reliable and affordable energy and infrastructure services, exacerbating poverty and social inequalities. To address these challenges, the Iraqi government has been working to promote renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and to improve the efficiency of the electricity sector through measures such as energy conservation and demand-side management.