The Circular Economy in Iraq : Obstacles of Transition and Opportunities for Achieving Sustainable Development

Nadia Mahdi Abdel Qader

doi:10.61132/anggaran.v3i2.1422

Authors

Nadia Mahdi Abdel Qader University of Diyala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61132/anggaran.v3i2.1422

Keywords:

Circular-Economy, Sustainable-Development, Recycling, Economic-Sustainability

Abstract

This study diagnoses obstacles to transitioning to a circular economy in Iraq and analyzes opportunities for sustainable economic development. It employs a comprehensive descriptive analysis of economic, social, and environmental data related to the circular economy in Iraq. The findings reveal a decline in per capita economic growth in Iraq, dropping from 10.8% in 2016 to 4.3% in 2022, with some years experiencing negative growth. This decline stems from the economy's heavy reliance on the oil sector, which accounts for 61.1% of GDP, and insufficient infrastructure for clean production models and resource recycling. The study recommends effective government strategies to diversify away from oil dependence by developing sustainable agriculture, green industries, and eco-tourism. It stresses the need to invest in waste recycling and renewable energy projects and to offer tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, it concludes that collaboration with developed countries and international organizations could accelerate Iraq's transition to a circular economy, enhancing economic sustainability and improving living standards.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmed, H. A. (2021). Indicators of the sustainable development goals in Iraq (2016–2020). Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning.

Al-Dabbagh, D. F. (2022). Percentage of desertified lands threatened by desertification in Iraq for two years (2016–2020). Iraqi Council of Representatives, Research Department.

Al-Khoury, A. M. (2020). The new global economy between the knowledge economy and its modern concepts, the digital economy, and accelerated innovation and technology (Part 1). Council of Arab Economic Unity of the League of Arab States.

Bayoumi, S. (2023). The circular economy as an economic model for sustainable development: Opportunities for transformation in light of modern environmental challenges. Egyptian Enterprise Center for Policy and Strategic Studies. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://egyptianenterprise.com

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). (2023). Accelerating the transition to a circular economy in the Arab region. United Nations.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2021). Completing the picture: Executive summary. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://emf.thirdlight.com/file/24/XoGiOySXvopGQ9Xo4d6XnKIvUh/Completing%20the%20picture%20-%20%20Executive%20summary.pdf

Fatima, D. (2022). The role of the circular economy in achieving sustainable development: The Tunisian experience as a model. Creativity Magazine, 12(2).

Fawaz, A. (2019). The circular economy: The concept, applications, and proposals concerning an Arab experience. In Proceedings of the 15th Scientific Conference of the Arab Society for Economic Research (Arab Development between Current Challenges and Prospects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution), Lebanon.

Ghalab, F. (2021). The circular economy: Selected concepts and experiences. Journal of Development Research and Studies, 8(2). Bordj Bou Arreridj University, Algeria.

Iraqi Ministry of Planning. (2017). Iraq poverty survey 2017. Central Bureau of Statistics.

Iraqi Ministry of Planning. (2019). Statistical report on sustainable development goals for 2019. Statistics and Geographic Information Systems Authority, Human Development Statistics Section.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2016–2022a). Reports on electricity indicators (2016–2022). Central Statistical Organization, Directorate of Industrial Statistics.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2016–2022b). Annual statistical abstracts (2016–2022). Central Statistical Organization, Directorate of National Accounts.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2019). Iraq: The first voluntary national review on sustainable development goals 2019 – A triumph of national will. Central Statistical Organization.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2021a). Statistical report on sustainable development goals 2021. Directorate of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems, Department of Human Development Statistics.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2021b). The second voluntary national review on the achievement of the sustainable development goals 2021 – Iraq: Back on the development path. Central Statistical Organization.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2023). Statistical report on sustainable development goals 2023. Directorate of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems, Department of Human Development Statistics.

Ministry of Planning - Iraq. (2024). Statistical abstract (2022–2023). Central Statistical Organization, Directorate of National Accounts.

Transparency International. (2016–2022). Corruption perceptions index (CPI) reports. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi

United Nations. (2017). 2017 sustainable development goals report. United Nations.

United Nations. (2021). 2021 sustainable development goals report. United Nations.

World Bank. (2016–2022). World development indicators. Retrieved March 15, 2025, from http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-development-indicators