The Impact of Iraqi Legislation on Combating Climate Change: An Analytical Study of Related Environmental and Development Laws

The world today is witnessing accelerating environmental challenges, foremost among which is climate change, which has begun to threaten ecosystems, economies, and societies worldwide. Iraq is not isolated from this phenomenon, as it suffers from widespread desertification, diminishing water resources, rising temperatures, and air pollution, all of which indicate the need to activate the role of law in confronting this challenge. This research studies and analyzes the impact of Iraqi legislation in addressing climate change, through an analysis of the relevant environmental and sustainable development legal texts. It aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of these legislations in mitigating climate change, identify their shortcomings, and propose legislative remedies that contribute to enhancing the state's role in protecting the climate and the environment. The research addresses the conceptual framework of climate change and its relationship with environmental law. It will also study and analyze the most influential Iraqi laws in this field, including: the Environmental Protection and Improvement Law No. (27) Of 2009, the Forests and Trees Law No. (30) of 2009, in addition to instructions and decisions of the executive authorities. It will also outline legislative shortcomings, weak institutional coordination, and the absence of a specific climate change law. A set of legislative and institutional proposals will be presented to strengthen the legal response to this phenomenon. The research concludes with a number of findings, the most important of which is that current Iraqi legislation, despite its importance, does not meet the level of current climate challenges and lacks integration and executive effectiveness. This necessitates the adoption of a unified climate change law, activating environmental monitoring mechanisms, and aligning sectoral policies with sustainable development goal.