Iraq Advances Pollution Reduction Through Smarter Waste Management and Green Jobs

Across Iraq, unmanaged waste has become one of the most visible sources of pollution darkening skies with toxic smoke and filling neighborhoods with hazardous fumes. 

Every year, Iraq generates between 11 to 12 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, much of which is discarded in open landfills or near residential zones without proper treatment. During the dry season, many of these dumps ignite spontaneously or are deliberately set on fire to reduce volume, producing thick plumes that blanket nearby communities.  

This practice releases pollutants such as black carbon, particulate matter (PM2.5), and methane, which accelerate climate change while degrading air quality and visibility in Iraq’s cities. The public health toll is equally severe: rates of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cardiovascular disease are climbing, particularly among children and the elderly. In some districts, local doctors report sharp increases in respiratory emergencies during burning seasons. Beyond the air, leachate from decomposing waste seeps into rivers and groundwater, contaminating resources vital for agriculture and drinking water. Women and children living near informal dumpsites bear the greatest exposure and health risks. 

For decades, Iraq’s waste sector has struggled under fragmented governance, outdated infrastructure, and limited public awareness. Municipalities often lack both resources and technical expertise to manage growing urban waste volumes. Recycling and composting remain minimal, while the private sector’s role in sustainable waste solutions is still emerging. 

New waste sector strategy links waste management and air quality

Recognizing the importance of sustainable waste management for cleaner air, Iraq’s Ministry of Environment (MoEn) requested support from the CCAC in developing a comprehensive blueprint to align waste sector reform with the country’s national climate commitments. Implemented by the MILE Organization, this strategy represents Iraq’s first integrated national plan linking waste management with short-lived climate pollutant mitigation and air quality improvement, with the overarching goal of creating green jobs, cleaner cities, and healthier communities.  

Key priorities include:

• Creating a national plan that focuses on cutting down waste, reusing and recycling materials, and recovering useful resources before throwing anything away.

• Quantifying methane and black carbon emissions from landfills and open burning across Iraq’s 18 governorates.

• Designing a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) and composting roadmap to convert organic waste into clean power and fertilizer.

• Establishing a national monitoring, reporting, and verification system for monitoring short-lived climate pollutants in line with UNFCCC transparency standards.

• Updating policy and legal frameworks under Iraq’s forthcoming Municipal Solid Waste Management Law. 

The project aims to significantly reduce black carbon emissions from open burning and methane emissions from organic waste through improved waste management practices. It is designed to support healthier communities, with expected benefits including fewer respiratory illnesses, cleaner drinking water, and reduced contamination of rivers and farmland. At the same time, the project seeks to create hundreds of green jobs across Iraq’s waste and recycling sector. By developing composting and waste-to-energy facilities, it also aims to strengthen climate adaptation, enhance agricultural productivity, and expand access to renewable energy—turning yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s resource. 

Creating Green Jobs and Cleaner Air

Iraq’s waste transformation is creating a new class of green jobs from composting operators and recycling technicians to data analysts and methane-capture engineers. Under the five-year Waste Sector Financing Strategy (2025–2030), the government aims to mobilize USD 150–200 million in investments through public–private partnerships, climate funds, and green bonds. These investments will fund composting facilities and systems that capture methane gas from landfills.

In Basra and Erbil, pilot composting sites are turning organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments for local farmers, reducing fertilizer imports and supporting sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, methane-capture systems planned for Baghdad’s main landfill could generate enough electricity to power thousands of households.

“Every landfill we rehabilitate and every ton of waste we treat brings us closer to cleaner air, healthier families, and a more sustainable economy,” notes a senior MoEn official. 

Data and Cooperation Driving Results

For the first time, Iraq now tracks waste-related short-lived climate pollutant emissions through its Annual Waste Emissions Reporting Framework, developed by MILE and endorsed by MoEn. 
The framework standardizes data collection on:

• Waste generation and composition.

• Open burning incidents and mitigation measures.

• Methane recovery and composting rates. 

Iraq can now use this data to update its official record of emissions also known as a national greenhouse-gas inventory a big step toward making climate policies based on real evidence and meeting international reporting standards. 

Equally transformative is the coordination platform created through this initiative. It connects ministries, municipalities, NGOs, and private recyclers, enabling information exchange and collective action. The system has already improved project targeting, reduced duplication, and inspired local governments to integrate clean-air goals into their waste plans.