Updates: polution; hunting; animal slaughter; climate change

[Anthea]

Global Climate Conference in Erbil

Salahaddin University-Erbil will host the First International Conference on Climate Change Action: Challenges and Solutions (ICCCSUE 2025) on April 8–9, bringing global attention to environmental issues in the Kurdistan Region and beyond

The conference is set to welcome 163 researchers from 15 countries and 29 universities, including participants from Iraq, Kurdistan, the UK, UAE, Tunisia, Jordan, Greece, Bangladesh, Turkey, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Netherlands, Iran, and Syria.

ICCCSUE 2025 aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Topics will include the impact on water resources, food security, biodiversity, and weather patterns, as well as sustainable energy, adaptation strategies, and the role of policy and technology in mitigation.

Special attention will be given to the Kurdistan Region’s environmental landscape, with dedicated panels exploring local climate issues and region-specific solutions.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/879914

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Erbil Increases Electricity
to Support Farmers

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a bid to support local farmers facing challenges due to low rainfall, the Erbil Electricity Directorate has approved an increase in the daily electricity supply for agricultural lands that rely on well water for irrigation

“This year’s rainfall was lower than last year, so most farmers depend on well water, which requires more electricity,” said Hemn Said Moorad, Director General of Agriculture in Erbil, in an interview with Kurdistan24 on Sunday.

Moorad explained that the Directorate of Agriculture had formally requested extended electricity hours to help farmers sustain their crops during the dry season. That request was approved earlier today.

“Electricity will be increased from two to four hours daily, which will greatly assist farmers with their crops,” he said.

Due to insufficient rainfall—averaging just 114 mm this year—agricultural output is expected to decline. The move to boost the electricity supply is aimed at mitigating the impact of the water shortage and supporting farmers who are increasingly reliant on groundwater for irrigation.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... w-rainfall

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Erbil to Build 45 New Ponds

Omed Khoshnaw, governor of Erbil, announced on Monday that 45 new water ponds are under development across the province, as part of broader efforts by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to strengthen water infrastructure and improve agricultural sustainability

According to a statement posted on his official Facebook account, five of the ponds have already been completed, while the remaining 40 are at various stages of construction.

Among the completed projects is a dam in the Zurratia area of Zarawi village within the Darashakaran district. The dam is considered a key development for local agriculture and is expected to contribute to both irrigation and groundwater replenishment.

This initiative falls under the KRG’s wider strategy to address water scarcity, mitigate flash floods, and support economic sectors such as agriculture and tourism. As part of this plan, the KRG previously completed four dams and began construction on 13 more, with a total investment exceeding 553 billion Iraqi dinars (IQD).

In October 2024, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated the Gomaspan Dam—the largest in Erbil and the third-largest in the Kurdistan Region. With a storage capacity of approximately 100 million cubic meters, the dam is designed to irrigate 16,000 square meters of farmland and support fish farming, enhancing both food security and the local economy.

These projects reflect the KRG’s commitment to long-term water management and sustainable development through strategic infrastructure investments.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/880063

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First off-grid solar-powered village

The Erbil-based Rwanga Foundation on Sunday announced the launch of the Kulak Solar Village pilot project, set to become the country’s first fully sustainable, off-grid, solar powered community. The move comes amid escalating climate and energy challenges in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq

"The Kulak Solar Village is designed to operate entirely on renewable energy, with round-the-clock solar power, solar-driven irrigation systems and hands-on training programs in regenerative agriculture,” the foundation stated.

Rwanga said the “initiative aims to offer a replicable solution for climate adaptation, food security, and ecological regeneration," at a time when “Iraqi Kurdistan faces rising temperatures above 50°C (122°F) and accelerating desertification.”

Idris Nechirvan Barzani, Founder and President of the Rwanga Foundation, called the project a symbol of hope and innovation.

"For decades, Iraq has been scarred by conflict, resource depletion, and environmental decline. This village represents a bold vision for a different future. By tapping into solar energy and the ingenuity of our people, we are transforming vulnerability into resilience. This is more than a village; it is the foundation of a green revolution," Barzani said

For his part, Ruwanga Foundation Director Hassan Aladdin stressed that the project "empowers communities to take control of their energy, food, and livelihoods. By merging clean energy with regenerative agriculture, we are creating ecosystems where families can thrive and not just survive. Our vision is to replicate this model across regions suffering from climate injustice.”

Rwanga views the Kulak Solar Village project as the cornerstone of its broader Green Kurdistan campaign, which has included the planting of over 200,000 trees in the last five years.

According to the foundation, "The pilot village is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025, with plans to expand the model to additional sites across Kurdistan and central Iraq by 2030, in partnership with regional authorities and international organisations.”

Last month, Aladdin met with the Kurdistan Region’s Agriculture Minister Begard Talabani to explore ways to “accelerate ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation measures, and community-focused sustainability projects across the region," the foundation stated at the time.

According to the United Nations, Iraq ranks as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change worldwide, facing critical challenges including water and food insecurity.

The country also continues to suffer from reduced precipitation, rising temperatures, and poor water management.
In 2024, Iraq experienced scorching temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, accompanied by widespread water scarcity, desertification, and a significant decline in rainfall.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/140420252

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Dust storm hospitalizes over 3,700 in Iraq

Over 3,700 people were admitted to hospitals across Iraq due to breathing difficulties caused by dust storms, the health ministry said on Tuesday, after a severe dust storm engulfed the country’s center and south

"The number of suffocation cases recorded due to the dust storm yesterday and to date has reached 3,747 admissions to emergency rooms in Baghdad and the provinces," ministry spokesperson Said al-Badr told state media.

The southern oil-rich province of Basra topped the chart of hospitalizations with over 1,000, followed by Muthanna and Maysan respectively, according to Badr.

“Most of the cases have fully recovered and left after receiving the necessary treatment,” and ministry officials “have not recorded any deaths, and there are no cases admitted to intensive care or elsewhere,” he added.

Officials have urged residents to take precautions to avoid complications from dust inhalation.

Hospitals across the country are also equipped with an ample supply of oxygen and medical supplies, Badr assured.

Dust storms are common in Iraq but have become more frequent and intense due to prolonged drought, desertification, and rising temperatures. According to Iraq’s environment ministry, the country has been experiencing 272 dust days per year over the past two decades. That number is projected to reach 300 by 2050.

Iraq is among the nations most vulnerable to climate change. Poor water management and dam construction in upstream countries have drastically reduced the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The United Nations has called for urgent measures to address environmental degradation and mitigate the worsening climate crisis in Iraq.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/15042025

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Dozens of Illegal Oil Refineries Shut

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Environment Commission has announced the closure of 72 unlicensed oil refineries across the region, signaling a decisive step in the government's push to address environmental degradation and air pollution

Sana'an Abdullah, Director of the Environmental Awareness and Media Office and spokesperson for the KRG Environment Committee, told Kurdistan24 that the closures are part of an ongoing operation targeting illegal energy operations that violate environmental regulations.

“Since 2024, a total of 72 illegal refineries have been shut down across the Kurdistan Region out of 138 known facilities,” Abdullah confirmed. He added that the remaining sites must comply with the environmental guidelines established in 2020 or face similar enforcement actions.

Erbil and Duhok Under Scrutiny

According to Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, the enforcement measures have led to the closure of 59 illegal refineries in Erbil and 13 more in Duhok.

Speaking to reporters, Abdul Rahman stressed that the crackdown is being conducted in direct accordance with a decision by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who has made the fight against environmental pollution a central pillar of his government’s agenda.

“Legal measures will be taken against anyone responsible for polluting the environment,” she affirmed, noting the Prime Minister's continued efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its consequences through specialized projects and regulatory frameworks.

Government Action Rooted in Environmental Policy

On Jan. 12, 2025, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a high-level meeting dedicated to addressing air pollution in Erbil and Duhok. The Prime Minister emphasized that environmental protection remains a cornerstone of the KRG’s governance strategy, describing clean air and a healthy ecosystem as national duties and collective responsibilities.

PM Barzani instructed all relevant institutions to take immediate and concrete measures to prevent environmental harm and punish violators in accordance with the law.

Resolutions from the January Meeting

The meeting concluded with a set of decisive directives aimed at reversing environmental damage and ensuring compliance across sectors:

Immediate Legal Action: Any refinery or factory operating in violation of environmental standards and contributing to pollution is to face swift legal consequences.

Fuel and Emission Restrictions: It is strictly prohibited to produce or smuggle contaminated automobile fuel, and steps must be taken to curb associated gas flaring in oil fields.

Generator Regulations: Owners of private electricity generators are required to install sound filters and pollution-reduction systems. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply.

Water Safety in Agriculture: The use of polluted water or untreated sewage for irrigating vegetables is strictly banned.

Toward a Sustainable Kurdistan

With rising public concern over air quality and environmental health, the KRG has placed green governance and environmental safety at the forefront of its policy agenda. The ongoing campaign against unregulated refineries is being lauded as a tangible move toward sustainability, signaling a firm stance against practices that endanger public health and the region’s natural beauty.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... -pollution

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KRG to Offer Solar Energy Loans

The Kurdistan Government (KRG) is preparing to launch a new initiative offering long-term loans to citizens for installing solar power systems at home, marking a significant step toward a sustainable and energy-resilient future in the Region

Sana'an Abdullah, Director of the Environmental Awareness and Media Office, told Kurdistan 24 on Friday that the project will first target citizens who already have bank accounts, allowing them to apply for long-term loans to cover the cost of residential solar installations. “Every ordinary citizen can qualify for the loan, but they must provide proof of having a bank account,” Abdullah said, confirming that the initiative has been thoroughly reviewed and will be launched soon.

The plan builds on the KRG’s earlier success in implementing solar energy systems in the public sector, particularly in schools. In a major environmental milestone, solar systems have already been installed in 81 public schools across Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Halabja, Kirkuk, and independent administrative zones, providing reliable electricity and reducing dependence on diesel generators.

As part of this broader campaign, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani recently allocated an additional five billion Iraqi dinars to expand solar power to another 76 schools, reflecting a firm governmental commitment to both education and sustainability. The KRG’s transition to clean energy comes amid a regional and global shift away from fossil fuels, as communities confront the consequences of climate change and chronic power shortages

With many areas in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region experiencing unreliable power supply and increased environmental degradation, solar energy offers a practical and renewable alternative. Experts view the new loan program as a strategic policy tool that not only supports environmental goals but also empowers citizens to become energy self-sufficient while reducing their monthly electricity costs.

The initiative aligns with the KRG’s long-term goals outlined in its environmental and energy policies, which seek to diversify the energy mix, reduce emissions, and modernize infrastructure for a greener Kurdistan.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/881124

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Dust storm to continue through Friday

The dust storm that has covered the Kurdistan Region is expected to continue for another day, a weather expert said on Thursday, with more frequent dust storms expected this year due to a lack of rain

“The dust storm that has covered the region since yesterday is widespread throughout the Kurdistan Region and will continue tomorrow,” Luqman Mufti, a meteorology expert at the Kurdistan Region’s agriculture ministry, told Rudaw, adding that the dust is coming from the Iraqi and Syrian deserts.

According to Mufti, the number of dusty days in the Kurdistan Region “will be more frequent than in previous years, because there has been less rainfall and the rain has been insufficient.”

“During spring, the wind direction in the Kurdistan Region is from those areas that are the source of dust storms, which is why the dust storms are more frequent in spring than in other seasons,” he added.

Mufti said the dust is expected to settle after a region-wide rainfall on Saturday.

Dust storms are common in Iraq but have become more frequent and intense due to prolonged drought, desertification, and rising temperatures. According to the environment ministry, the country has been experiencing 272 dusty days per year over the past two decades. That number is projected to reach 300 by 2050.

Iraq is also among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Poor water management and dam construction in upstream countries have drastically reduced the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The United Nations has called for urgent measures to address environmental degradation and mitigate the worsening climate crisis in Iraq.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/24042025

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Dust Storm Has Damaged Everything

Grapes and Bees Hit Hard

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — A devastating dust storm sweeping across the Kurdistan Region has inflicted heavy damage on agriculture, particularly on grape vineyards and honey production, as local farmers and beekeepers sound the alarm over their livelihoods

In Barebhar village, nestled along the border of Dohuk province, farmers who had anticipated a fruitful season now face grim prospects. Mohammed Salim Barbahary, a prominent farmer known for cultivating over two thousand grape vines, shared his concerns with Kurdistan24 reporter Mahir Shingali. "The dust storms of the past few days have damaged everything, especially grapes, because they have halted their growth. They have also damaged spring vegetation. The recent rain would have been very beneficial for vegetation, but the dust storm had a negative impact and prevented further growth," Barbahary lamented.

The dust storm, which raged for two consecutive days, did not confine its destruction to Dohuk alone; it extended its reach across several provinces in the Kurdistan Region. Agricultural expert Amin Amedi, speaking to Kurdistan24, confirmed that the storm's impact was far-reaching. "The dust storm has affected the growth of vegetation, fruit production, bees, livestock, and even humans. It has been the most severe dust storm in recent years in terms of damage to agricultural products," Amedi said.

In addition to the significant loss of grape yields, the storm has severely disrupted beekeeping activities. Izzat Suleiman, a seasoned beekeeper from Akre, detailed the plight facing his community. "The dust storm has caused significant damage to the bees because dust has covered the flowers and vegetation. Now the bees cannot extract nectar from the flowers, which is their main food. The only solution is another wave of rain so that the flowers can grow again," he told Kurdistan24 reporter Ari Hussein.

The Akre district, located at the crossroads of Dohuk province, is home to more than 600 beekeepers managing around 22,000 beehives, most of which are maintained in natural surroundings. Karwan Jamal, head of the beekeeping department at the Akre Agricultural Directorate, underscored the fragility of the situation. "Bees are a very sensitive type of insect, and weather changes have a significant impact on their production, so beekeepers need to take some measures to provide food for their bees," Jamal advised.

The agricultural sector, already strained by erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, now faces yet another setback. Last year, honey production in Akre district surpassed 35 tons. However, due to this year's combination of drought, dust storms, and ongoing weather instability, local authorities expect a marked decline in output.

Farmers and beekeepers alike are now pinning their hopes on another wave of rain—a natural remedy that could rejuvenate the battered vegetation and offer a lifeline to their dwindling crops and honey production.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... epers-warn

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Sycamore Gap accused

kept trophy of tree

Sketch of the two defendants. Graham on the left has a white shirt, short fair hair and a ginger beard, Carruthers on the right has short fair hair, is clean shaven and wearing a black suit jacket and tie with a white shirtImage



Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers deny criminal damage

Two men accused of chopping down the famous Sycamore Gap tree kept a wedge as a trophy in a felling that prosecutors described as a "moronic mission".

The tree had stood for more than 100 years in a dip on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland before it was felled overnight on 27 September, 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard

Daniel Michael Graham, 39, from Carlisle and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Wigton in Cumbria, each deny two counts of criminal damage relating to the tree and the Roman wall.

Opening the case to jurors, prosecutor Richard Wright KC said the tree which was held in "high affection" by many was chopped down in just minutes and the accused "loved" the outrage caused.

The felled Sycamore Gap tree which has fallen over a section of Hadrian's Wall into the field behind. The bottom of the cut trunk is resting on the stone wall. The stump is on the other side of it surrounding by police tape.

The Sycamore Gap tree was felled in September 2023

The tree, which was planted in the late 1800s, had become "famous" and been photographed and depicted in films and art works "countless times", Mr Wright said.

On the night of 27 September, Mr Carruthers and Mr Graham made a 40-minute drive in the latter's Range Rover from Cumbria to chop down the tree, the prosecutor said.

As one cut it down using a technique known as hinge and wedge, the other filmed the act of "deliberate mindless criminal damage" on Mr Graham's mobile phone, the court heard.

In the two minute and 41 second-long grainy video shown to jurors, a silhouetted figure can be seen appearing to cut at the base of a large tree which then falls over with big crash.

Mr Wright said the person filming the "criminal" act was just as responsible as the person "wielding the chainsaw".

"Though the tree had grown for over a hundred years, the act of irreparably damaging it was the work of a matter of minutes," Mr Wright said

It was a "moronic mission" that the pair appeared to be "revelling in", the prosecutor said.

A large sycamore tree with a thick green canopy stands in a natural dip between two hills, with an old stone wall running along the ridgewayImage source, National Trust

The tree had been planted on Hadrian's Wall in the 1800s

Mobile phone data and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras showed them travelling towards and away from the remote site, with a wedge of wood believed to have been cut out of the tree photographed by the pair in the boot of Mr Graham's car, the court heard.

The following morning, when news of the "senseless" attack broke sparking international outrage, the two accused shared multiple news and social media posts between themselves.

In one message Mr Graham said "here we go", the court heard.

In a comment on Facebook, a man wrote: "Some weak people that walk this earth, disgusting behaviour."

An aerial photo of the felled Sycamore Gap tree which has fallen onto Hadrian's Wall. Fields surround the wall and

The tree took just minutes to fell, prosecutors say

Two minutes later Mr Graham sent his co-accused a voice note saying: "Weak? Does he realise how heavy [stuff] is?"

Mr Carruthers responded saying he would like to see the commenter "launch an operation like we did last night", adding: "I don't think he's got the minerals."

Mr Wright said that message was the "clearest confirmation in their own voices" the two men were responsible for felling the tree.

The prosecutor said messages the men exchanged in the aftermath showed they were "loving" and "revelling in" the public's response.

He said: "This is excitement at the fact it's gone worldwide it's gone viral, it's being talked about all over the world.

"There is no sadness here or remorse."

Public revulsion

The court heard the men had proven expertise to fell a large tree with a video of them doing so filmed just weeks before.

Both also had chainsaws at their homes but it was not believed they were the tools used to fell the Sycamore Gap tree.

Mr Wright said neither that chainsaw or the wedge of wood taken from the tree as a "trophy" had been found and had probably been "hidden away".

Mr Wright said both men denied their involvement to police and would seek to blame each other, their once close friendship appearing to have unravelled "perhaps as the public revulsion at their behaviour became clear to them".

Jurors had previously been warned to try the case purely on the evidence heard in court and set all emotion aside.

The trial continues

Article - Photos

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm30yen1dlo