Kurdish Policy Analysis / SULAIMANI —April 18 — Officials say air quality reforms under the ninth cabinet and the Runaki Project have pushed Erbil off the world’s most polluted cities list — but questions remain over sustainability
Erbil has been removed from the list of the world’s most polluted cities following a series of environmental reforms led by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), officials said on Kurdistan Region Environment Day, marking what authorities describe as a major improvement in air quality.
The announcement, made on April 16, comes after years in which the capital of the Kurdistan Region was ranked among cities with high levels of air pollution due to industrial emissions, aging refineries, and urban congestion.
Officials attributed the shift to a package of environmental policies introduced under the KRG’s ninth cabinet, including the flagship Runaki Project, refinery closures, and incentives for cleaner transport.
Air quality improvement cited as key milestone
Sanaan Abdullah, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region’s Environment Improvement and Protection Authority, said Erbil’s removal from global pollution rankings reflects measurable improvements in air quality.
“Erbil was previously on the list of the world’s most polluted cities,” Abdullah said. “Thanks to the measures taken, it has now left that list and air quality has improved significantly.”
The Runaki Project, he said, played a central role in reducing emissions and improving environmental monitoring across the city.
Industrial closures and transport shift
As part of broader reforms, the KRG has shut down a number of refineries that failed to meet environmental standards, citing their role as major contributors to air pollution.
Authorities have also encouraged the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles, aiming to gradually reduce dependence on older combustion-engine transport, which officials say has been a major source of urban emissions.
The shift reflects a broader regional effort to modernize infrastructure while addressing growing public concern over environmental degradation in rapidly expanding cities.
Water, recycling, and green expansion
Beyond air quality, officials highlighted parallel environmental initiatives aimed at addressing water scarcity and waste management.
Abdullah said the government is constructing ponds and reservoirs to improve water harvesting capacity and mitigate drought risks, which have increasingly affected parts of the Kurdistan Region.
Efforts are also underway to expand green coverage in Erbil to more than 25%, a threshold officials describe as an international benchmark for urban environmental sustainability.
Recycling initiatives, including the reuse of tar, cardboard, and treated wastewater through the Greywater Project, are being implemented to reduce environmental pressure and improve resource efficiency.
Government claims full impact of reforms
Dilshad Hirani, director of Erbil’s Environment Department, credited the policies of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, saying the environmental cleanup measures have had a “100% impact” on improving conditions in the city.
He added that further initiatives are underway to strengthen environmental protection and sustain recent gains.
Context: rapid urbanization and environmental strain
Erbil’s environmental challenges have been closely linked to rapid urban expansion, population growth, and industrial activity over the past two decades.
The city’s earlier inclusion on global pollution lists reflected rising levels of particulate matter, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollutants, particularly from oil refining operations and unregulated fuel use.
Urban development, while economically transformative, has placed significant pressure on infrastructure, including waste management and water systems.
Analysis: progress vs structural sustainability
While officials present Erbil’s removal from pollution rankings as a major success, environmental experts caution that long-term sustainability will depend on consistent enforcement and structural reform.
Closing outdated refineries and introducing cleaner vehicles can produce rapid short-term gains, but maintaining air quality improvements requires sustained regulatory oversight and investment in public transport, industrial standards, and energy transition.
Water management and green expansion targets also face challenges in a region affected by climate variability and periodic drought conditions.
“The key question is whether these improvements are structural or cyclical,” one regional environmental analyst said. “Air quality gains can be reversed if industrial and transport pressures return.”
Political dimension of environmental policy
The announcement also carries political weight for the ninth cabinet, which has prioritized infrastructure modernization and public sector reform as part of its governance agenda.
By linking environmental improvements to policy decisions, officials are framing Erbil’s progress as evidence of administrative effectiveness and long-term planning.
However, critics argue that sustained monitoring and independent environmental data will be necessary to validate official claims over time.
Outlook
Erbil’s removal from the list of the world’s most polluted cities marks a symbolic milestone for the Kurdistan Region’s environmental policy.
But maintaining that status will depend on whether current reforms evolve into long-term structural change — particularly in energy use, industrial regulation, and urban planning.
For now, officials are presenting the development as a turning point in the city’s environmental trajectory, while experts continue to watch whether the improvements can be sustained beyond policy announcements.
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