An Evaluation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process in Iraq

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is becoming more prevalent. However, compared to many jurisdictions in developed countries, the Middle East countries, including Iraq, have been relatively late in introducing and developing their environmental impact assessment systems. The Iraqi Protection and Improvement of the Environment Law of 2009 improved the EIA procedure established in 1997. Nonetheless, the current technique has severe drawbacks. The purpose of this study is to assess Iraq's present EIA system. The evaluation was carried out using a simple conceptual model created to meet the goal. The performance of the EIA process in Iraq is evaluated, and a list of recommendations for further enhancing the Iraqi EIA system is developed by key interviews. The findings show that Iraq's current EIA system fulfills seven of the fourteen assessment criteria developed and applied for this study's evaluation, partially meets four, and fails to satisfy three. This study aims to strengthen Iraq's EIA process by making recommendations such as allocating adequate funds for the EIA process, particularly for the Iraqi government's monitoring of environmental regulations, and providing capacity building and EIA training to individuals involved in the EIA process. These recommendations might help to enhance the EIA process and make it more accessible to developing countries. The results provide a national basis for analyzing EIA and should help other developing countries create, evaluate, and review EIA.