The impact of climate change on political stability in Iraq

Abstract

Political systems work to formulate public policies that contribute to enhancing political stability. Environmental security is considered one of the influential factors in the policymaking process due to the impacts of climate change on political, social, and economic stability. The growing effects of climate change have led to an increased need for measures aimed at mitigating the damages resulting from climatic shifts.

However, these environmental changes were not initially prioritized in public policy due to the security and political challenges Iraq has faced. As a result, the impact of climate change on societal and economic stability has intensified, particularly through its effect on Iraq’s primary resource—oil—due to increased emissions, associated gas flaring, and the rise in internal migration and displacement in communities affected by environmental changes.

In response, the Iraqi government has begun implementing necessary measures to reduce the adverse effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, desertification, and water scarcity. This is further exacerbated by the declining water levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, attributed to regional factors and the weakening of Iraq’s foreign policy and its influence at the regional level.

Consequently, the government has launched several projects to expand green spaces and reduce associated gas flaring. Additionally, it has taken steps to minimize water consumption and promote its rational use