Media Monitor

Iraqi MP blames government for severe air pollution in Baghdad, calls for climate action

BAGHDAD – Bassem Al-Ghurabi, a member of Iraq’s Parliamentary Health Committee, said on Sunday that government entities are primarily responsible for the pollution crisis in Iraq, with 70% of Baghdad’s air polluted. Al-Ghurabi emphasized that the Ministry of Environment lacks the necessary technical capabilities and legal authority to effectively address the issue. He noted that Iraq needs 15 million trees to help mitigate the effects of climate change and improve air quality.

In recent days, Baghdad has faced increasing sulfur emissions, causing widespread concern about deteriorating air quality. The Iraqi Ministry of Environment attributes the sulfur-like odor to the incomplete combustion of high-sulfur fuels, primarily from power plants and the burning of waste at unauthorized landfills. Cooler nighttime temperatures are making the problem worse by trapping pollutants closer to the ground, which is particularly noticeable in the early morning hours.

In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani ordered the creation of a specialized committee to investigate the emissions and develop comprehensive solutions. The committee includes representatives from key ministries, such as Oil and Electricity, as well as the Baghdad Municipality.

The Ministry of Environment has advised the public to limit outdoor activities, keep windows closed, and use masks if necessary, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Excerpts from Al-Ghurabi’s interview with Al-Rasheed TV:

Pollution is a present reality that we live with, though it goes largely unnoticed. If it weren’t for the smell of sulfur, which forms due to a weather phenomenon that occurs annually during this season, we wouldn’t have realized the extent of the pollution in the air. This is in addition to the pollution found in water and soil. Years ago, we warned about the global climate change impacts on Iraq.

The air in the capital is 70% polluted, as pollutants continue to accumulate without any remediation efforts. I obtained statistics on pollution levels, and the figures were alarming. The primary culprit is the government agencies. Baghdad has 18 treatment plants, designed for a population of 3 million, while the current population of Baghdad has reached 11 million.

Merging the Ministry of Environment with the Ministry of Health for many years destroyed its capabilities, leaving it as just an office without a database. It does not even have devices to measure air purity, for example, and if they exist, they are very old and are turned off at night due to the lack of electricity to power them. This situation persists to this day.

The plan to relocate the Dora refinery outside the capital requires huge costs, and it’s an incorrect measure to begin with. Many countries have addressed similar issues by introducing modern technologies that reduce pollutant emissions, rather than resorting to moving refineries.

We discovered that the legal framework on which the Ministry of Environment relies is very weak and outdated. We are currently working on the Environmental Protection and Improvement Law, which includes provisions for air, water, and soil pollution, as well as fines and carbon credits. The ministry is unable to inspect and examine some facilities.

The government needs to broaden its perspective on environmental pollution and its solutions. European companies have offered to supply power plants that run on sewage waste, which is better than dumping it untreated into rivers. Additionally, there is an urgent need to focus on the greenbelt. Iraq needs 15 million new trees to solve its climate change problems.