The Effectiveness of International Law in Addressing Environmental Security in Iraq (2014-2024)

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This study evaluates the effectiveness of International Environmental Law (IEL) in addressing Iraq’s environmental security challenges from 2014 to 2024, with a focus on conflict-driven degradation, water scarcity, and pollution. Combining qualitative analysis of treaties, case studies, and primary data from 15 stakeholder interviews (policymakers, NGOs, farmers, and UN officials), the research identifies systemic gaps in IEL implementation and proposes actionable solutions. Key findings reveal that integrating IEL with human rights frameworks, regional cooperation, and civil society engagement enhances environmental governance. The study highlights the critical role of mechanisms such as the Paris Agreement and Convention on Biological Diversity in mitigating Iraq’s crises but underscores persistent challenges, including fragmented enforcement and political instability. Novel contributions include advocating for the revival of traditional Akkadian water management practices and ratifying the Escazú Agreement to empower grassroots oversight. Policy recommendations prioritize establishing an Iraqi Environmental Oversight Commission, leveraging the Green Climate Fund for solar-powered desalination, and creating a Tigris-Euphrates Basin Commission under UN mediation. By bridging legal frameworks with on-ground realities, this study offers a blueprint for conflict-affected states to transform IEL from symbolic pledges into tangible ecological recovery.