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Iraq

Climate Landscape Analysis For Children And Young People In Iraq [EN/AR]

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Executive summary

Iraq is ranked 61st out of 163 countries on UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index,1 and the United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6) ranks it the fifth most vulnerable country to water and food shortages and extreme temperatures.2 These rankings reflect the significant climate change risks faced by children in Iraq.

With nearly 60 per cent of Iraqis under the age of 25,3 it is imperative for all stakeholders to work to mitigate the impact of climate change on children and young people’s health, education and protection, and empower them as agents of change to secure a prosperous future for the country.

To advance Iraq’s efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, UNICEF recommends implementing bold measures in support of the Government of Iraq to PROTECT children and young people against climate change impacts, EMPOWER them to take a leading role in climate change action and ENACT climate, environment, energy and disaster risk management interventions that are gender-sensitive and inclusive of the most vulnerable Iraqis.

Iraq has an area of 437,072 square kilometres and a short coastline of 58 km along the Arabian Gulf. Its fertile land, and most of its population, is concentrated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The north is mountainous, while the south consists of marshlands. The country has three climate zones (desert, semi-arid steppe and Mediterranean) characterized by cool winters and dry, hot summers, with seasonal rainfall and dry, hot winds occurring during specific periods of the year.

In 2020, Iraq had a population of 40 million, with 28 per cent residing in rural areas. The government’s primary source of revenue comes almost exclusively from oil.4 According to a 2022 analysis, the proportion of Iraqis living below the poverty line increased from one-fifth in 2012* to 30 per cent following the COVID-19 pandemic.5 Children are more likely to be affected by multidimensional poverty and a significant number of them belong to female-headed households. Years of instability and insecurity have led to extensive infrastructure damage and a considerable population of displaced people.

Iraq’s per capita CO2 emissions amount to 4.9 metric tonnes per year, with the energy sector responsible for nearly three-quarters of this total.6 This does not account for greenhouse gas emissions from the substantial oil and gas produced in Iraq and exported. The energy sector is the main source of in-country greenhouse gas emissions. Most electricity is generated through burning fossil fuels (81 per cent), while hydroelectric power accounts for 19 per cent.7 However, electricity demand outstrips power generation, and many rely on diesel generators to compensate for the shortfall.