Germany will assist in defending Iraq's water supply from the threat of climate change

 

On Thursday, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to Africa with a focus on sustainable energy, Germany vowed to assist in protecting Iraq's drinking water.

Germany said after two of its top officials visited the nation that it will invest €62 million ($68.5 million) to protect water resources in southern Iraq's Muthanna region from the impacts of climate change.

It follows calls for assistance in helping the developing world combat global warming at a climate summit in Berlin.

According to a special investigation by The National, climate change and a shortage of clean water are endangering livelihoods, public cleanliness, and food security in Iraq and other Middle Eastern nations.

Germany said on Thursday that it will put a stronger emphasis on measures to combat climate change in its upcoming development work with Iraq. Iraq will invest $15.9 million in the water project, which is expected to provide clean water to 130,000 people, according to authorities.

Germany said that it will assist Iraq in its attempts to reduce its reliance on oil as a source of energy and foreign revenue.

"The progress Iraq has achieved in recent years toward prosperity is in danger of being destroyed by climate change. As a result, there can be brand-new conflicts between demographic groupings.

The financing for less developed nations has to be raised, delegates at this week's Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin were informed as part of preparations for the Cop28 climate change conference in the UAE.

According to Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the designated President of Cop28, developing nations are still waiting for the industrialized world to fulfill a commitment to provide $100 billion in yearly climate funds made more than ten years ago.