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Pathways for Climate Investment in Iraq – Technical Investment Report
Iraq's Climate Investment Plan (CIP) drives economic diversification, sustainable agriculture, and energy efficiency for a resilient, low-carbon future.
Our climate work sits close to the policy process. Enlil Center's team has contributed to the mitigation chapter of Iraq's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), to the climate-mobility research behind the National Adaptation Plan, to the Climate Investment Plan and to the negotiators' handbook used by the Iraqi delegation at COP28. That experience shapes what we publish: analysis that a ministry, a donor or a journalist can act on, with the data behind every figure available in the Iraq Data Hub.
On this page you will find our climate reports, articles and datasets, covering temperature and rainfall trends, emissions, climate finance, loss and damage and the institutions responsible for Iraq's climate response.
Research and reports
All research
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Iraq's Climate Negotiation Handbook
Enlil Center contributed to Iraq’s official Climate Negotiation Handbook, authoring key sections on Mitigation, Energy Security, and the COP28 Position Paper.
Articles and commentary
All articles
Water
Iraq Is Living on Borrowed Water
Iraq withdraws 120% of its internal renewable freshwater and has fallen below the 1,000 m³ per person scarcity line. Enlil Center sets out the evidence and four policy priorities.
Governance
Burning by Default: Iraq's Waste Management Crisis and the Open Fire Problem
Iraq generates 31,000 tons of solid waste daily, most of it unmanaged. This article examines the open burning crisis and the governance failures driving it.
Economy
The True Cost of Inaction: Quantifying the Economic Impact of Climate Change on Iraq
Climate change could slash Iraq’s GDP by up to 3.9% by 2030 due to water scarcity, extreme heat, and governance failures.
Climate
Carbon Markets and Climate Transition in Iraq: A Just Path Toward Diversification and Sustainability
Enlil Center analyzes Iraq's carbon market potential, the urgent need for robust MRV governance, gas flaring reduction, and Article 6 climate compliance.
Climate
Mangroves Under Siege: Basra’s Fragile Green Revival Amid Saltwater Intrusion and Oil Pollution
Basra’s mangrove revival faces saltwater intrusion and oil pollution. Enlil Research examines the Khor Al-Zubair restoration and what it means for the coast.
Water
Water Scarcity in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin: Projected Impacts on Iraqi Agriculture (2025–2030)
Enlil Center analyzes the severe impacts of water scarcity in the Tigris-Euphrates basin on Iraqi agriculture from 2025 to 2030, proposing vital policies.
Climate
Iraq at COP29: Balancing Oil Dependence with Climate Commitments Amid Global Finance Debates
COP29 agreed a $300bn climate-finance goal and Article 6 carbon-credit rules. Othman Kareem examines what the outcomes mean for Iraq’s oil-dependent economy.
Data on this topic
Iraq Data HubIraq agricultural land (% of land area)% of land area · [object Object]Iraq average precipitationmm per year · [object Object]Iraq CO₂ emissions (total)Mt CO₂e · [object Object]Iraq CO₂ emissions per capitat CO₂e per person · [object Object]Iraq renewable electricity output (% of total electricity)% · [object Object]Iraq renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy)% · [object Object]Iraq renewable internal freshwater resources per capitam³ per person · [object Object]
Projects
All projects
Project
Climate Mobility Integration into Iraq's National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
Enlil Center led IOM Iraq research for Climate Mobility Chapter in National Adaptation Plan (NAP), conducting KIIs, FGDs, field visits across governorates. Voices of climate-displaced Iraqis now shape UNFCCC policy.
Project
Iraq’s Climate Investment Plan (CIP)
Enlil Center-UNDP CIP consultancy (2024): Mobilized ministry data, drafted Article 6 mitigation paths, trained 14-ministry committee on carbon markets for Iraq's USD 80B climate plan.