Climate Challenges and Sustainable Development in Iraq: National Strategies for Adaptation and Alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda, Dr Hadeel Thare
Dr Hadeel Harbi Thare
Assistant Professor of International Relations
University of Nahrain
Iraq
ORCID: 0009-0002-6060-2196
Paper Type: Research
Received: 9 October 2025 / Revised: 17 November 2025 / Accepted: 26 November 2025 / Published: 30 December 2025
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2025.23.23
Purpose: This study examines Iraq’s escalating climate vulnerabilities, water scarcity, rising temperatures, desertification, and pollution, while assessing the effectiveness of national adaptation strategies in alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, and 13. Recent assessments confirm that Iraq is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, particularly to heatwaves, drought and water stress (Atlantic Council, 2023).
Design/Methodology/Approach: A descriptive-analytical and comparative methodology is employed using national reports, international databases, and institutional assessments to evaluate governance, finance, and institutional responses. Iraq’s national adaptation strategy builds on a sequence of UNDP-supported diagnostics and capacity-building programmes (UNDP, 2022).
Findings: Results reveal significant adaptation gaps caused by weak coordination, fragmented data, and heavy reliance on external funding, which undermine resilience-building and sustainable development goals.
Originality/Value: The research provides an integrated policy-oriented roadmap that links Iraq’s national climate challenges with global sustainability frameworks, highlighting governance reforms, green finance tools, and energy transition strategies. This approach is consistent with the sustainable development paradigm linking poverty reduction, environmental protection and inclusive growth (Sachs, 2015).
Research Limitations/Implications: The analysis is limited by insufficient national data systems and the conditional nature of Iraq’s international commitments. Updated diagnostics underscore the need to link climate action with economic reform and institutional modernisation (World Bank, 2024).
Practical Implications: Recommendations include establishing a National Climate Council, scaling renewable energy, modernising irrigation, and integrating climate justice into policy frameworks. Achieving Iraq’s energy-transition targets will require major investment in grid modernisation and renewable capacity (IEA, 2025).
Keywords: Climate Change; Iraq; Climate Policy; Resilience; SDGs; Adaptation Strategies; Water Security; Energy Transition; Climate Governance; Climate Justice; 2030 Agenda.
Citation: Thari H. H. (2026): Climate Challenges and Sustainable Development in Iraq: National Strategies for Adaptation and Alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda. World Sustainable Development Outlook 2025, Vol. 21, pp. 353-365. WASD: London, United Kingdom.
