Climate, Peace, and Security Fact Sheet: Iraq
Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Date: 2022
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Disasters, Gender, Governance, Livelihoods, Renewable Resources
Countries: Iraq
Iraq is highly vulnerable to climate change and its impacts. The country’s vulnerability is shaped by its physical exposure, a strong natural resource dependency and low adaptive capacity due to violent conflict, poverty, political instability and corruption. Iraq is particularly exposed to floods, droughts and dust storms, increasingly linked to temperature and precipitation variability. The effects of climate change are felt in several critical sectors – agriculture, water, economy, public health and the environment – directly affecting the lives of Iraqi citizens. However, responses to climate change have been inadequate and significantly affected by violent conflict, political competition, corruption and lack of financial resources. If left unattended, climate change impacts will exacerbate poverty and insecurity, and may lead to social unrest and further instability.