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Analysis of The Impact of The Green Economy in Light of The Sustainable Development Vision (2030) and Its Impact on The Iraqi Economy
Corresponding Author(s) : Basima Nyaz Mohsin Al Mohammed
American Journal of Economics and Business Management,
Vol. 8 No. 6 (2025): June
Abstract
The green economy has emerged as a pivotal strategy for aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability and social justice in response to escalating global climate challenges. Within this context, Iraq’s pursuit of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda underscores a critical need to transition from an oil-dependent economy to one based on sustainable practices, such as renewable energy, environmental protection, and social development. However, the country continues to face challenges due to insufficient investment in education, health, and green infrastructure, weak institutional frameworks, and the persistence of pollution and resource mismanagement. This research aims to evaluate the feasibility and impact of adopting a green economy model in Iraq by analyzing sector-specific performance (e.g., energy, health, education, waste management) and assessing policy alignment with sustainable development goals. The findings reveal that although Iraq has initiated several efforts toward sustainability, the contribution of green sectors to GDP and employment remains minimal. Environmental degradation, inefficient waste disposal, and low renewable energy integration hinder progress. This study provides a comprehensive national-level analysis combining socio-economic, environmental, and policy perspectives, offering rare insight into Iraq’s green transition trajectory. To realize the vision of sustainable development, Iraq must implement structural reforms, increase funding for human capital development, expand renewable energy projects, and strengthen regulatory frameworks to mitigate environmental damage and promote long-term sustainability.
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- [1] Economic and Social Council, "The Green Economy: Opportunities for Wealth and Job Creation," April 2014.
- [2] Scientific Journal of the Faculties of Commerce Sector, Al-Azhar University, Issue 17, 2017.
- [3] Iman Abdul Rahim Kazim, "The Green Economy: A Path to Evaluating Economic Growth," Master's Thesis, submitted to the University of Karbala, College of Administration and Economics, 2013.
- [4] Ahmed Abbas Hammadi, Montaha Zuhair Mohsen, Alia Hussein Khalaf Al-Zarkoshi, "The Role of Renewable Energy in Achieving the Environmental Dimension of Development," Kirkuk University Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Special Issue.
- [5] Basil Abdul Jabbar Latif, "Environmental Pollution and Its Control," (Dar Al-Hikma, 1997).
- [6] Hassan Latif Kazim Al-Zubaidi, et al., Environmental Economics, 1st ed., Najaf, Al-Nabras Foundation Press, 2018.
- [7] Tandon, Nidhi (2012): Employment of Women in a Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication: The Case for Community-Based, Gender-Equitable, and Human Rights-Based Green Economic Development, UN Women.
- [8] Dr. Aid Radhi Khanfar, Environmental Economics (‘Green Economy’), Assiut Journal of Environmental Studies, Issue 39, 2014.
- [9] Muhammad Siddiq Nafzi, The Green Economy as a Sustainable Development Mechanism to Attract Foreign Investment
- [10] Yazid Taqrarrat et al., The Green Economy: Sustainable Development Combating Pollution, Journal of Financial, Accounting and Administrative Studies, Issue 8, 2017.
- [11] Abdullah Ibn Muhammad Al-Maliki, A Shift Towards a Green Economy: International Experiences, Arab Journal of Management, Issue 4, 2017.
- [12] UNESCO - Culture Indicators 2030 - First Edition - 2020.
- [13] Medhat Abu Al-Nasr - Yasmine Medhat Muhammad - Sustainable Development: Its Concept and Dimensions of Indicators - First Edition - Arab Group for Training and Publishing - Cairo - 2017.
- [14] Asian Green Schools: A Life-Saving Necessity, Environmental Education, and Sustainable Education https://www.independentarabia.com
- [15] United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), “Towards a Green Economy, Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.” Last view: 2020.
- [16] Ministry of Health and Environment, State of the Environment Report in Iraq, 2017.
- [17] Mayeh Shabib Al-Shammari, Hussein Bassem Al-Furaiji, The Future of Renewable Energy and the Possibilities of Utilizing It in Iraq, Kirkuk University Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Special Issue.
- [18] Karim Muhammad Hamza, The Problem of Poverty and Its Social Implications in Iraq, 1st ed., Baghdad, Bayt Al-Hikma, 2011.
- [19] Issa Al-Maazouzi, Jihad Bin Othman, The Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Conflict or Complementarity, Al-Hadath Journal of Financial and Economic Studies, Issue 1 , 2018.
- [20] https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development/what-is-esd/sd
- [21] Frieder Meyer-Krahmer, Innovation and Sustainable Development: Lessons for Innovation Policies, first edition, Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
- [22] Barton A. Larson, Sustainable Development Research Advances, Nova Publishers, 2007.
- [23] See: Ministry of Electricity, Department of Planning and Studies, Statistics Division, Annual Reports 2010-2019.
- [24] See: Ministry of Environment, State of the Environment Report in Iraq, 2016.
- [25] See: United Nations Environment Programme Report, Pathways Towards a Green Economy for Sustainable Economic Development and Poverty Eradication, 2011.
- [26] See: Official Website World Bank https://www.worldbank.org/ar/home
- [27] Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Organization, Environmental Statistics Division, Air Pollutants Report 2019.
- [28] Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Organization, National Accounts Directorate, Gross Domestic Product Report 2019.
- [29] Najm Al-Azzawi and Abdullah Al-Naqqar, Environmental Management, Amman: Dar Al-Maysarah, 2nd edition, 2010
- [30] For more on the topic, see: Muhammad Sahil and Muhammad Talbi, "The Importance of Renewable Energy in Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development," Al-Baheth Magazine, Issue 6, 2008.
- [31] Issa Maazouri and Jihad Bin Othman, "Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Conflict or Complementarity," Al-Hadath Magazine for Financial and Economic Studies, Issue 1, 2018.
- [32] Abirat Muqaddam and Belkhader Abdel Qader, "Energy, Environmental Pollution, and Environmental Problems." Global, Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, Issue 7, 2007.
- [33] Ramadan Hamza Muhammad, Luay Maher Hammad Al-Dulaimi, Water Security in Iraq: Where to?, 1st ed., Baghdad, Dar Amjad for Publishing and Distribution, 2022.
- [34] The current Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, 2005, Article 114.
- [35] An Evaluation Study of the Federal General Budget of the Republic of Iraq for the Years 2006-2010, 1st ed., Baghdad, Bayt Al-Hikma, 2011.
- [36] Hamza Al-Jabali, Environmental Security and Environmental Waste Management, 1st ed., Dar Ilm Al-Thaqafa for Publishing, Amman, 2016.
References
[1] Economic and Social Council, "The Green Economy: Opportunities for Wealth and Job Creation," April 2014.
[2] Scientific Journal of the Faculties of Commerce Sector, Al-Azhar University, Issue 17, 2017.
[3] Iman Abdul Rahim Kazim, "The Green Economy: A Path to Evaluating Economic Growth," Master's Thesis, submitted to the University of Karbala, College of Administration and Economics, 2013.
[4] Ahmed Abbas Hammadi, Montaha Zuhair Mohsen, Alia Hussein Khalaf Al-Zarkoshi, "The Role of Renewable Energy in Achieving the Environmental Dimension of Development," Kirkuk University Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Special Issue.
[5] Basil Abdul Jabbar Latif, "Environmental Pollution and Its Control," (Dar Al-Hikma, 1997).
[6] Hassan Latif Kazim Al-Zubaidi, et al., Environmental Economics, 1st ed., Najaf, Al-Nabras Foundation Press, 2018.
[7] Tandon, Nidhi (2012): Employment of Women in a Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication: The Case for Community-Based, Gender-Equitable, and Human Rights-Based Green Economic Development, UN Women.
[8] Dr. Aid Radhi Khanfar, Environmental Economics (‘Green Economy’), Assiut Journal of Environmental Studies, Issue 39, 2014.
[9] Muhammad Siddiq Nafzi, The Green Economy as a Sustainable Development Mechanism to Attract Foreign Investment
[10] Yazid Taqrarrat et al., The Green Economy: Sustainable Development Combating Pollution, Journal of Financial, Accounting and Administrative Studies, Issue 8, 2017.
[11] Abdullah Ibn Muhammad Al-Maliki, A Shift Towards a Green Economy: International Experiences, Arab Journal of Management, Issue 4, 2017.
[12] UNESCO - Culture Indicators 2030 - First Edition - 2020.
[13] Medhat Abu Al-Nasr - Yasmine Medhat Muhammad - Sustainable Development: Its Concept and Dimensions of Indicators - First Edition - Arab Group for Training and Publishing - Cairo - 2017.
[14] Asian Green Schools: A Life-Saving Necessity, Environmental Education, and Sustainable Education https://www.independentarabia.com
[15] United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), “Towards a Green Economy, Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.” Last view: 2020.
[16] Ministry of Health and Environment, State of the Environment Report in Iraq, 2017.
[17] Mayeh Shabib Al-Shammari, Hussein Bassem Al-Furaiji, The Future of Renewable Energy and the Possibilities of Utilizing It in Iraq, Kirkuk University Journal of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Special Issue.
[18] Karim Muhammad Hamza, The Problem of Poverty and Its Social Implications in Iraq, 1st ed., Baghdad, Bayt Al-Hikma, 2011.
[19] Issa Al-Maazouzi, Jihad Bin Othman, The Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Conflict or Complementarity, Al-Hadath Journal of Financial and Economic Studies, Issue 1 , 2018.
[20] https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development/what-is-esd/sd
[21] Frieder Meyer-Krahmer, Innovation and Sustainable Development: Lessons for Innovation Policies, first edition, Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
[22] Barton A. Larson, Sustainable Development Research Advances, Nova Publishers, 2007.
[23] See: Ministry of Electricity, Department of Planning and Studies, Statistics Division, Annual Reports 2010-2019.
[24] See: Ministry of Environment, State of the Environment Report in Iraq, 2016.
[25] See: United Nations Environment Programme Report, Pathways Towards a Green Economy for Sustainable Economic Development and Poverty Eradication, 2011.
[26] See: Official Website World Bank https://www.worldbank.org/ar/home
[27] Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Organization, Environmental Statistics Division, Air Pollutants Report 2019.
[28] Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Organization, National Accounts Directorate, Gross Domestic Product Report 2019.
[29] Najm Al-Azzawi and Abdullah Al-Naqqar, Environmental Management, Amman: Dar Al-Maysarah, 2nd edition, 2010
[30] For more on the topic, see: Muhammad Sahil and Muhammad Talbi, "The Importance of Renewable Energy in Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development," Al-Baheth Magazine, Issue 6, 2008.
[31] Issa Maazouri and Jihad Bin Othman, "Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Conflict or Complementarity," Al-Hadath Magazine for Financial and Economic Studies, Issue 1, 2018.
[32] Abirat Muqaddam and Belkhader Abdel Qader, "Energy, Environmental Pollution, and Environmental Problems." Global, Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, Issue 7, 2007.
[33] Ramadan Hamza Muhammad, Luay Maher Hammad Al-Dulaimi, Water Security in Iraq: Where to?, 1st ed., Baghdad, Dar Amjad for Publishing and Distribution, 2022.
[34] The current Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, 2005, Article 114.
[35] An Evaluation Study of the Federal General Budget of the Republic of Iraq for the Years 2006-2010, 1st ed., Baghdad, Bayt Al-Hikma, 2011.
[36] Hamza Al-Jabali, Environmental Security and Environmental Waste Management, 1st ed., Dar Ilm Al-Thaqafa for Publishing, Amman, 2016.