From Threat to Opportunity: Harnessing Climate Change to Build a Prosperous Future for Iraq and the Region
Climate change and environmental degradation are adding serious strain to Iraqi coping capacities and governance mechanisms in a county already struggling with elevated water scarcity, instability and demographic growth. Widely recognised as a country at high-risk from climate change, Iraq faces the urgent need to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon resources, while developing mechanisms of cooperation and co-dependency with regional neighbours to provide sustenance and opportunities to its youthful population. Drawing on Iraq’s history as a trade hub and bread basket for the region, Iraq and its neighbours need to urgently work together to overcome divisions and plan for a better future if the challenge of climate change is to be transformed into an opportunity capable of promoting stability and integration in an increasingly fragile Middle East.
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Details
Rome, IAI, June 2023, 16 p. -
In:
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Issue
23|14 -
ISBN/ISSN/DOI:
978-88-9368-295-4
Introduction
1. Climate threats and disruptions
2. Water scarcity
3. Demography: An added challenge
4. Instability and insecurity
5. Climate change: A national priority for Iraq
6. Afforestation and food production: The drive to modernise irrigation
7. Solar power and green hydrogen: Freeing Iraq from the hydrocarbon curse
8. Water management
9. Transportation and transit rights
10. Future prospects
References