Environmental and Economic Impacts of Climate Change with Special Reference to Iraq

Abstract

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing advanced and developing economies, in light of the negative repercussions of this phenomenon, especially on the performance of developing countries in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, which requires the combined efforts of the three development sectors, public, private and civil society, to confront the economic and environmental impacts of climate change, through cooperation and joint efforts with relevant international organizations and bodies. In this research, which is based on the descriptive approach, we will explain the concept of climate change, its multiple causes, and its economic and environmental impacts, and analyze the gaps in the performance of countries, including Iraq, in confronting climate change using international indicators concerned with climate change and climate policies issued by international institutions and bodies concerned with the climate and environment file such as the climate change index, the climate change risk index, the air quality index and the environmental performance index. Concerning the repercussions of the changing climate on the economic and environmental situation in Iraq, and providing realistic solutions to confront climate change that are not limited to mitigating damage only, but also extend to adapting for the future. The research also aims to formulate a comprehensive national strategy to confront climate change to reduce the environmental and economic impacts of climate change, provided that this strategy includes programs and projects that contribute to confronting the risks of climate change, especially since Iraq has qualified human capabilities from graduates of environmental engineering and environmental sciences who are able to implement these projects and programs.