Erbil Air Quality Improves by 80% as Government Measures Show Results

The director of the Erbil Environmental Office, Dilshad Hirani, announced on Sunday that the capital’s air quality has significantly improved compared to previous years, thanks to coordinated government initiatives and regulatory measures.

“The air in Erbil is getting cleaner, but it still requires more efforts to maintain this improvement,” Hirani told Kurdistan24. He revealed that current air quality levels are 80% better than last year, with 50% of the improvement directly attributed to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Runaki program.

“This is a significant accomplishment, as we haven’t been able to achieve such results in many years,” he emphasized.

Key Drivers of Cleaner Air

Hirani highlighted several factors behind recent progress, including:

1- A sharp reduction in diesel generators across neighborhoods.

2- The closure of illegal oil refineries.

3- Installation of filters in restaurants to reduce smoke pollution.

4- Stricter measures to curb excessive vehicle emissions.

5- Improved quality of diesel and gasoline supplied in the city.

He also pointed to the introduction of new regulations that have tightened oversight on fuel use and industrial activity.

The government’s Runaki program, launched to promote sustainability and reduce pollution, has become a central pillar in these efforts. Its impact is now being reflected in measurable improvements to Erbil’s atmosphere, which in recent years had been plagued by rising smog, a heavy reliance on private diesel generators, and poorly regulated fuel sources.