The technical agent of the Ministry of Environment, Jawad Al-Jabouri, confirmed today, Monday, that the ministry continues to monitor pollution sources in Baghdad and the provinces through its field teams and monitoring stations, while pointing out the operation of an electronic network to monitor air pollution in the capital and working towards gradually expanding it. He indicated that fuel quality, traffic congestion, sewage, and industrial sources represent the most prominent sources of pollution.
Al-Jabouri stated in a press interview that he attended, "The environmental file in Iraq is linked to several axes, most notably water, air, soil, biodiversity, and ozone, and these files are interconnected," noting that "the challenges are significant, and there are efforts and plans at the Ministry of Environment, but they need support and integration among all state institutions."
He added that "the ministry's teams are continuing field monitoring operations in Baghdad and all provinces, while a modern electronic network operates in the capital to directly monitor air quality and display pollution levels and sources," pointing out that "the experience has achieved good results, and there is a trend to expand it to the provinces based on priorities and available capabilities."
He explained that "monitoring operations showed an increase in some pollution indicators in areas of traffic congestion, part of which is related to the type of fuel used, in addition to the impact of dust storms," noting that "the ministry raises the monitoring results to the relevant authorities to take necessary actions according to the applicable laws."
He pointed out that "pollution sources in Iraq include industrial activities, health waste, sewage discharge, and violations that affect the Tigris and Euphrates rivers," emphasizing "the need for a strategic plan to establish and develop sewage treatment plants and reduce the discharge of untreated water into rivers."
Regarding water quality monitoring, Al-Jabouri mentioned that "there are 67 stations for monitoring water, including 34 stations on the Tigris River, 22 on the Euphrates River, and 5 stations on Shatt al-Arab, in addition to other stations," stressing the "importance of integrating data and efforts between the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the relevant authorities to identify and address problems."
He continued that "extensive meetings included local governments, relevant ministries, the Parliament Committee, the Federal Audit Bureau, the Supreme Judicial Council, and the Prime Minister's Advisory Office, which concluded with recommendations to address environmental and water problems," pointing out to "the proposal to form a national emergency team, with efforts mobilized to remove encroachments, dredge rivers, treat sewage stations, and increase their efficiency."
In relation to climate change and desertification, Al-Jabouri confirmed that "pollution, water scarcity, declining green spaces, and desertification are interconnected factors that reflect on the climatic reality in Iraq," noting that "Iraq is committed to international climate agreements and submits the required reports, in addition to preparing to participate in the upcoming international conference in Antalya during November."
He affirmed that "addressing environmental challenges requires comprehensive national work among state institutions, local governments, and society, as the Ministry of Environment is a regulatory and diagnostic entity, while the responsibility for execution is distributed among many sectors and relevant entities."