Updates: polution; hunting; animal slaughter; climate change

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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