Overview
Environmental issues are among the most pressing ones facing humanity. The presence of environmental problems in urban areas is associated with numerous factors. Cities in Kurdistan Regional of Iraq (KRI), particularly Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the KRI, are suffering from serious environmental issues and risks in the fields of water, land, noise, and air pollution. Some of these issues are the direct result of the damage and wars imposed over the last several decades. For instance, political instability, socio-economic changes, rapid urbanization, and population growth have led to unsustainable environmental conditions. However, a significant part of these environmental issues has a lot to do with the lack of fundamental infrastructure (e.g., sewerage system and wastewater treatment plant, industrial wastewater treatment plant, municipal solid waste transfer station, solid waste management, medical and hazardous waste management, air pollution monitoring and control, etc.), public environmental awareness, and a shortage of comprehensive environmental research studies done in these areas. For this purpose, in order to prevent, reduce, and treat environmental pollution, which has a direct impact on public and human health, and to promote environmental awareness, the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) aims to establish a Centre for Environmental Studies (CES).
Conducting scientific research studies and environmental activities at the CES will result in the production of valuable information, which will be crucial for understanding local and national environmental problems and their consequences. Better data coverage and insight into different environmental issues will also improve the KRI’s ability to manage its local and national resources. The CES will primarily carry out research studies on water, air, and land pollution, and then it will expand its activities towards biodiversity, environmental sustainability, environmental economy, and environmental law and policy.
Focus
The Centre for Environmental Studies (CES) at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) focuses on addressing critical environmental challenges in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the wider region through interdisciplinary research, education, and community engagement. The Centre serves as a platform for evidence-based environmental analysis, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to support sustainable development and informed decision-making.
Research Areas
CES conducts applied and policy-relevant research across key environmental domains, including:
- Water resources management, groundwater and surface water quality.
- Air pollution, emissions assessment, and urban environmental health.
- Climate change impacts, adaptation, and resilience.
- Environmental modelling, GIS, and remote sensing applications.
- Waste management, land degradation, and soil pollution.
- Environmental risk assessment and sustainability studies.
Education and Training
The Centre contributes to education and capacity building by offering:
- Professional training courses and short programmes in environmental science and management.
- Workshops and seminars for students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
- Hands-on training in environmental monitoring, data analysis, and modelling tools.
- Support for student research projects, internships, and academic supervision.
Events and Highlights
CES actively organises and participates in environmental events that promote awareness and collaboration, including:
- Environmental awareness weeks and public outreach campaigns.
- Conferences, panel discussions, and expert lectures.
- Field visits and practical demonstrations.
- Collaborative events with national and international partners.
Publications and Knowledge Hub
The Centre serves as a knowledge hub by producing and disseminating high-quality environmental outputs, such as:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters
- Technical reports, policy briefs, and environmental assessments
- Research summaries and educational materials for wider audiences
- An institutional repository showcasing CES-led research and publications
