Iraq launches green building council at COP29 in Azerbaijan

NEWSROOM — The Iraqi delegation at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan announced on Thursday the launch of the Iraqi Green Building Council, marking a significant step toward sustainable development and enhancing environmental and economic efforts. The initiative aligns with the directives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.

Jassim Al-Falahi, Technical Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and head of the Iraqi delegation, emphasized the ministry’s readiness to support the project. “The ministry is ready to back the Iraqi Green Building Council,” he told the Iraqi News Agency, commending the private sector’s role in promoting environmentally friendly construction practices.

Green building, or sustainable construction, focuses on minimizing environmental impact while conserving resources and enhancing well-being. These structures incorporate energy-efficient technologies, renewable materials, and innovative systems like solar panels and advanced insulation. They offer wide-ranging benefits, including lower utility costs, reduced carbon emissions, and healthier living environments.

“The work accomplished on the sidelines of this conference reflects Iraq’s dedication to achieving the goals of the Green Growth Strategy and the National Development Plan,” Al-Falahi said. He noted the importance of cooperation between public and private sectors in setting green building standards.

“These efforts aim to develop standards that reduce environmental costs, minimize energy consumption, and improve quality of life,” Al-Falahi explained, underscoring the global trend of sustainability through resource-efficient housing and facilities.

“Statistics show that lighting alone consumes more than 15% of total electricity, while air conditioning and water heating systems account for 60% to 75% of energy consumption during summer and winter,” he said. “This underscores the need for innovative construction methods to curb such waste.”

Al-Falahi warned that traditional construction methods deplete resources and elevate carbon emissions due to inefficient practices, which also result in higher costs and health risks.

Ibrahim Al-Sudani, a member of Iraq’s permanent climate negotiation delegation, highlighted the significance of the council. “The council is a corrective measure for traditional building practices that have heightened energy demand. It also strengthens Iraq’s negotiation position and commitments within its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) paper,” he said.

Mamunur Rashid, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), praised the government’s efforts. “This is a strategic step on a national level, reflecting Iraq’s commitment to making the environment a cornerstone of its future policies,” Rashid told INA.

Khalid Al-Jabri, head of the Asoul Foundation for Economic Development and Sustainability, called the council’s establishment transformative for Iraq’s construction sector. “This unprecedented move in Iraq will bring fundamental change to the building sector,” he said.

Al-Jabri added that green building practices will reduce costs, boost the economy, and lower electricity consumption, helping mitigate emissions. “This project will pave the way for new industries in the construction sector and drive a qualitative shift, making the sector more dynamic and environmentally friendly,” he said.