KRG Bolsters Environmental Protection Efforts
KRG’s ninth cabinet has prioritized environmental protection, expanding offices and enforcing eco-regulations. Efforts include green space mandates, climate adaptation plans, and stricter rules for factories and investors to combat climate change.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has prioritized environmental protection, with the Environment Protection and Improvement Board expanding offices and enforcing regulations to combat climate change and promote sustainability.
Dr. Sanan Abdullah, spokesperson for the Environment Protection and Improvement Board of the Kurdistan Regional Government, told Kurdistan24 on Firday, "We, as the Environment Board, work in coordination with the relevant authorities of the Kurdistan Regional Government to improve and protect the environment of the Kurdistan Region."
The spokesperson for the Environment Protection and Improvement Board says: "It is stated in the agenda of the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government that we must all protect Kurdistan's environment. On this basis, we have worked with the relevant authorities."
He adds: "Internally, as the Environment Protection and Improvement Board, we have opened several offices, including in the independent administrations of Zakho and Soran, in Halabja province, and a department dedicated to climate change within the Board's main office."
He also noted that they continue to enforce environmental regulations with factories, refineries, and investors, imposing conditions upon them. He stated that entities that do not implement the conditions and regulations and commit violations will face legal action.
He also mentioned that the conditions and regulations include installing filters, water treatment units, increasing green spaces, and waste management. "Every investor must commit to providing 25% green space. Last year, we created 858,000 dunams of green space in all cities and towns."
Sanan Abdullah also stated, "We have a National Adaptation Document. This document is for confronting climate change in the sectors of water, agriculture, food security, and biodiversity. It is very important for us to adapt these sectors."
