Carbon Footprint Analysis in Sulaymaniyah City, Kurdistan, Iraq: A Data-Driven Framework for Environmental Policy Development
نویسندگان
1 Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sanandaj, Iran.
2 Department of Water Science and Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
3 Department of Natural Resources and Member of Water Management Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P. O. Box: 5619911367, Ardabil, , Iran.
4 Civil Engineering Department, Tishk International University, Sulaimani, Iraq.
5 Department of Statistics, University of Kurdistan, P. O. Box: 416, Sanandaj, Iran.
6 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
doi
10.30501/jree.2026.550408.2651چکیده
Understanding and mitigating household carbon emissions is crucial in the global fight against climate change, as the residential sector represents a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This issue is particularly critical in developing regions experiencing rapid urbanization and evolving consumption patterns. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of household carbon footprints in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, based on data from 412 households collected through structured questionnaires covering demographics, energy use, transportation, and waste management practices. The results indicate that only 11.7% of household energy consumption is derived from clean sources, while heating oil accounts for 62.8% of total energy use. Annual carbon emissions per household range from 6 to 151 tons, with an average of 40.65 tons, which is nearly double the national average for Iraq (22.35 tons) and the global average (21.86 tons). These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted environmental policies in the region, with an emphasis on transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving waste management practices, and promoting more sustainable transportation systems. By identifying the primary contributors to household emissions, this research provides a data-driven foundation for policymakers to develop effective mitigation strategies that support climate resilience and sustainable development in Sulaymaniyah. The findings of this study can also directly inform the design of public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting energy conservation and sustainable lifestyles among residents. Furthermore, the data-driven framework established in this study can be adapted for continuous monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impacts of future policies in the region.
