LocationsEmpowering Judges and Prosecutors to Advance Environmental Justice
June 21, 2026
Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – 17–18 June 2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq, in cooperation with the Judicial Council, the Judicial Institute, the Board of Environmental Protection and Improvement, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution Office, and the Administrative Courts, successfully conducted the first workshop in a series of trainings on Environmental Justice in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq under the EU-funded Anti-Corruption and Arbitration Initiatives for Environmental Justice Project (ACAI II).
The two-day workshop brought together judges and members of the public prosecution office from across the Kurdistan Region to examine the links between environmental crime, corruption, environmental governance, and human rights. Participants also explored international environmental agreements, climate change policies, environmental policing, and the role of judicial institutions in protecting the environment.
The Kurdistan Region, like many parts of Iraq, faces growing environmental challenges, including drought, pollution, land degradation, wildfires, climate change impacts, and waste management issues. These challenges are often compounded by weak oversight, gaps in enforcement, and corruption risks that can undermine environmental protection efforts.
Throughout the workshop, participants actively engaged with experts from government institutions, environmental authorities, legal bodies, and international law specialists. Discussions highlighted the need for stronger coordination among environmental inspectors, prosecutors, judges, and relevant government institutions to improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes.
A key outcome of the workshop was the recognition of the need for clearer mechanisms and procedures to support environmental justice, including standards for evidence collection, environmental damage assessment, and cooperation between judicial and administrative institutions. Participants emphasized the importance of defining how environmental harm is evaluated, what constitutes acceptable evidence before courts, and who can seek compensation for environmental damages through civil proceedings.
The workshop marks the beginning of a broader capacity-building programme that aims to support efforts to strengthen accountability, enhance institutional cooperation, and advance environmental justice across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
By investing in the capacities of judicial and oversight institutions, UNDP and its partners are helping build stronger systems that can better protect both people and the environment while promoting transparency, integrity, and sustainable development.
