In a proactive effort to combat the adverse effects of climate change, the Kurdistan Regional Government has undertaken a series of measures aligned with international standards set by the United Nations and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Over the past two years, the Kurdistan Region has demonstrated remarkable progress compared to other areas in Iraq in fulfilling global commitments to address climate change.

Abdul Rahman Sadiq, the head of the Environment Protection and Improvement Committee in the Kurdistan Region, revealed that in October 2021, they, in collaboration with the federal government of Iraq, presented a national document to support the Paris Agreement on climate change. This document outlines their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement environmental adaptation measures from 2021 to 2030.

Sadiq further explained that the Kurdistan Region has made substantial advancements in its approach to energy production. Approximately 80% of their electricity is generated through the use of liquid gas, a shift away from oil production for electricity. While other parts of Iraq continue to burn gas produced from oil, the Kurdistan Region has successfully repurposed it for electricity generation. Moreover, brick factories have transitioned to using liquid gas instead of black oil, while waste and byproducts from cement factories are incinerated to produce electricity. Iron factories have also made the switch to using gasoline over black oil.

Expanding green areas is a key initiative in the Kurdistan Region. The government has established a requirement that 25% of the total area in every project must consist of green spaces. Projects initiated before this law's enactment must compensate by creating green spaces elsewhere in the region.

Sustainable development neighborhoods have also become a focus of the region's environmental efforts. These neighborhoods treat sewage water and utilize solar energy to generate electricity. Additionally, all sewage water in Erbil is treated and repurposed for agricultural irrigation.

Kurdistan Region has called upon the international community, especially the G20 nations, to take the lead in addressing climate change. Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, ranks among the most environmentally affected countries globally, and is the fifth most affected worldwide.

To protect the environment, it is crucial for concerned countries to invest in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and present their losses to obtain the necessary funds from this fund.

The Kurdistan Region's participation in the upcoming Global Environmental Conference in the United Arab Emirates is anticipated to be more effective and distinguished compared to its previous involvements. During the conference, various countries will share their experiences and expertise in addressing climate change with the Kurdistan Region.

Abdul Rahman Sadiq emphasized that increasing green areas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are fundamental objectives for industrialized nations in protecting the global environment. The Kurdistan Region has initiated discussions with these countries to share their experiences and expertise, and multiple international projects are currently underway.

Under its ninth government, the Kurdistan Regional Government has placed significant importance on the environment, particularly within the service sector. They have established a high committee to combat climate change, comprising the Environment Council and all regional ministries. Expert technical committees have been formed to address climate change. Fortunately, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers recently established a specialized team to handle climate change matters, consisting of ministers responsible for climate change and members of the Environment Committee.

Furthermore, the Kurdistan Regional Government continues its efforts in raising public awareness and education about protecting and nurturing the region's environment. They actively participate in various international conferences and events related to environmental protection and climate change.