Support to the Implementation of Second National Communication (SNC) and First Biennial Update Report (BUR) for Iraq

Due to an absence of sound strategic environmental planning, the Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoE) was established in 2003 to respond to the environmental challenges facing Iraq. This was followed by the introduction of the Iraqi Constitution in 2005, which highlighted the development of environmental policy and securing environment protection in Article 114-3. Complementary steps came later with the issuance of MoE Law No. 37 in 2008 and EPI Law No. 27 in 2009. Iraq then put in place its National Development Plan 2013-2017, which emphasized the importance of integrating the environment into the socio-economic dimension as the basis of sustainable development in Iraq. Recognising the need to develop an integrated environmental strategy for Iraq and a blueprint for sustainable development in Iraq, the MoE launched the National Environment Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP) in 2013. The NESAP strategic approach was based on previous and parallel strategic planning efforts in Iraq and mainly aims at developing and implementing environmental policy and plans, conducting audits, assessment and correction and reviewing the management system. During the preparation of the strategy, ten strategic objectives were identified through an in-depth analysis of environmental priorities, carried out in collaboration between the MoE, UNDP, UN Environment and the World Health Organization (WHO). These objectives took into account the compatibility with the five axes of environmental sustainability, which appeared in the National Development Plan 2013-2017 (air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution and desertification, and solid waste and waste disposable). In 2016, Iraq began work on updating national procedures to be compatible with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by world leaders in 2015. Work is currently being carried out on the use of a range of global and national indicators to facilitate the implementation of the seventeen goals. Iraq is committed to reducing its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In 2009, Iraq ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol as a Non-Annex I country. Iraq signed the Paris Agreement in December 2016 and submitted its INDCs in 2015. The ratification of the Paris Agreement is progressing. The Ministry of Health and Environment (MoHE) is the focal point for climate change in Iraq. Support to MoHE is provided by line ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as NGOs, academic and university organizations, scientific research centers, UN organizations and international and regional financing institutions. The MoHE has worked to establish the national entities and units necessary to facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the UNFCCC. It established the National Unit for Climate Change, a national body responsible for implementing the requirements of the UNFCCC. This unit later evolved into the Iraqi National Centre for Climate Change (NCCC). In 2011, the Permanent National Committee for Climate Change (PNCCC) was established. The committee collaborates with the Iraqi National Centre for Climate Change to draft and execute strategic plans, coordinate with stakeholders, raise national awareness and follow up with the UNFCCC. In 2015, Iraq worked with UN Environment and other partners to present its Initial National Communication (INC) to the UNFCCC. The MoHE led the preparation of the INC in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UN environment). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provided the funding and facilitated networking with other NCs global wide. The preparation of the INC was participatory and consultative in nature. A number of workshops were organized within the duration of the project. Targeted training was provided on GHG inventory development, mitigation assessment and vulnerability assessments. The INC outlines a series of national programs, strategies and laws that Iraq has undertaken as part of its commitment to the decisions of the UNFCCC. It also outlines vulnerable sectors and proposes various adaptation and mitigation measures, calling for financial and technical support for implementation. The Iraqi government considers adaptation to be a priority for the country, particularly in addressing the impacts of climate change on poor and vulnerable communities.

The strategy of the project is to build national capacities at the individual and institutional levels for sustaining, in a systematic manner, the evolving reporting requirements of the UNFCCC. In doing so, the project will have a strategic mix of national and international experts and will adopt lessons learnt from the INC process and international best practices. The main components of the project are: - Description of national circumstances, institutional arrangements for the preparation of national communications, national inventory reports and biennial update reports on a continuous basis; - The national inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removal by sinks of all greenhouse gases (GHGs) not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including a national inventory report for the period since 1997 to 2017; - General description of steps taken or envisaged to implement the Convention, including programmes to mitigate climate change and measures to facilitate adequate adaptation; - Information on mitigation actions and their effects; - Other information relevant to the Convention (i.e. integrating climate change considerations into social, economic and environmental policies and actions; development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies; climate change research and systematic observations; capacity building; information and networking; information on gender and climate change; education, training and public awareness; and any other information relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in the BUR); - Support received for the preparation of the BUR; - Domestic measurement, reporting and verification; - Constraints, gaps and needs; - Technical assistance; - Compilation and publication of SNC and BUR; - Project management; - Monitoring and evaluation; - Stocktaking assessment and institutional arrangements for preparation of subsequent NCs and BURs. The SNC and BUR preparation will rely on existing expertise in the country, supported by international expertise as needed. The composition of national team will be as such that a balanced mix of researchers, practitioners and policy makers will work together to produce the necessary studies. This tripartite partnership will ensure a strong science-policy interface. The principle collaborating national institution is the Ministry of Health and Environment (MoHE) who will be responsible for delivering project outputs under the supervision, guidance and oversight of UN Environment West Asia Office. UN Environment will also provide the necessary technical assistance in collaboration with competent regional and international centres and experts. Stakeholders will be engaged at various levels: the inter-sectoral Technical Teams, Advisory Groups (AGs), Project Steering Committee, NGOs and the private sector.