Carbon Footprint of Iraq’s Energy Sector: Analysis and Recommendations for a Low- Carbon Future

Global climate change mitigation efforts focus on reducing anthropogenic emissions, with the energy sector accounting for 77.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Iraq faces unique challenges in this context, as it relies heavily on oil and gas for energy production, making the transition to low-carbon resources, carbon capture technologies, and the implementation of renewable energy critical. This study analyzes the carbon footprint of Iraqi power plants and diverse energy sources and proposes practical pathways for adopting solar and wind energy in the Iraqi context. The results reveal that conventional power plants have the highest carbon footprint (450-1000 g CO2/kWh). The study provides practical recommendations for reducing Iraq's carbon footprint, taking into account the country's specific economic and environmental conditions.