A sweeping environmental transformation is underway in the Kurdistan Region after a newly released government report revealed significant progress in reducing pollution and expanding clean energy.

On Wednesday, the Media and Information Office of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) published a comprehensive report titled “Government Projects and Decisions to Protect the Environment.” The document outlines a broad strategy aimed at reducing pollution, safeguarding natural resources, and improving public health across the region.

According to the report, environmental protection has become a key pillar of economic development and long-term sustainability in the Kurdistan Region.

Runaki Project Targets Generator Pollution 

At the center of the government’s environmental strategy is the “Runaki” electricity project, designed to address climate and environmental challenges in the power sector.

The project aims to provide 24-hour national electricity while eliminating dependence on nearly 7,000 private diesel generators, long considered one of the main sources of air pollution and noise in urban areas.

The report states that:

Nearly 75% of the Kurdistan Region now has uninterrupted electricity.
3,689 private generators have already been shut down.

The closures have reduced 690,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Officials expect that by the end of the year, all areas of the Kurdistan Region will receive continuous electricity, allowing the complete shutdown of private generators.

Environmental studies cited in the report estimate that once the project is fully implemented, emissions could be reduced annually by:

3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide
12.7 million tons of nitrogen dioxide
6.7 million tons of sulfur dioxide
984,000 tons of fine particulate matter (PM)

Authorities say these reductions will improve air quality, reduce noise pollution from 70 to 55 decibels, and contribute to lower rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Expansion of Clean Energy Production

The report notes that 84% of electricity in the Kurdistan Region is now produced from environmentally friendly sources such as natural gas and hydropower.

Hydropower generation continues at the Dukan Dam and Darbandikhan Dam

A new hydropower facility has also been established in Deralok.
Additionally, three solar power stations have been installed in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok.

Power plants are also being used to convert flared gas from oil fields into electricity, reducing harmful emissions while generating energy.

Monitoring Air Quality 

Four new air-quality monitoring stations are being installed in Erbil as part of an early warning system designed to detect pollution levels and harmful emissions.

The system will provide alerts in cases of air contamination, helping authorities respond more quickly to environmental risks.

Reforestation and Green Space Expansion 

The report states that green space in the Kurdistan Region increased from 15% to nearly 20% during the ninth cabinet’s tenure.

New regulations require development projects to allocate 25% of their land to green areas, with permits denied to projects that fail to comply.

So far:

17,453 projects have received environmental approval under these conditions.
Older projects have added 1,218 dunams of green space — more than 3 million square meters.

“Green Belt” Project Around Erbil 

One of the most ambitious environmental initiatives highlighted is the Green Belt project surrounding Erbil.

The project will create a two-kilometer-wide green zone around the city and include:

Planting 7 million olive and pistachio trees
Building 10 water ponds
The initiative is expected to:

Reduce carbon emissions by 140,000–210,000 tons
Lower temperatures in Erbil by 2°C
Reduce dust levels by 30–40%

The project could also create around 2,000 job opportunities while improving the city’s environment and landscape.

Water Security and Infrastructure 

Water management is another key focus of the government’s strategy.

Authorities have built nine dams capable of storing more than 252.8 million cubic meters of water, with plans underway for 18 additional dams.

Meanwhile:

23 water ponds have been completed
58 more ponds are currently under construction
To protect groundwater resources, nearly 1,100 wells in Erbil have been closed to prevent depletion and drought.

Landmine Clearance and Environmental Safety

Mine-removal operations are continuing across the region.

Authorities report that approximately 150,000 landmines and explosive remnants have been neutralized, clearing more than 13 million square meters of land and enabling safer development.

Recycling and Sustainable Industry 

The report also highlights several recycling initiatives:

An asphalt recycling plant processes up to 2,000 tons of road material daily, reducing waste and production costs.

Plastic recycling facilities in Erbil collect and repurpose waste materials.
Additional factories recycle paper and cardboard.

A wastewater treatment project in Erbil will allow treated water to be reused for irrigation.

Through a combination of clean energy expansion, environmental regulation, and major infrastructure projects, the Kurdistan Regional Government says it is pursuing a long-term strategy to reduce emissions, protect natural resources, and secure a more sustainable future for the Kurdistan Region.