Paper Title
Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change in Iraq: A Proactive Approach

Abstract
Climate change is happening and is beginning to have impacts on lives, the economy and the environment in Iraq. Iraq is undergoing climate change impacts on various sectors including natural resources, agriculture and environment. Hence, there is a need for a planned approach for scientifically managing these impacts on all the relevant sectors. The current approach to managing these impacts, in the region is reactive. More specifically, the efforts are primed to deliver post-event infrastructure repairs, cleaning-up operations and financial compensations. Therefore, a more effective and proactive approach is needed. However, developing this approach is problematic due to the lack of requisite reliable data and information, the reactive and „one size fits all‟ management approach plus the reluctance of decision makers. This paper will examine Climate Change management issues in Iraq and advances a proactive approach for planning and adaptation to climate change at the national level. The Paper advocates using Geoinformatics to overcome information poverty and for examining, understanding as well as managing the impacts on the environment, economy and society at the national level. In addition to providing some certainty to persuade and direct decision makers towards developing and financing the necessary national plans such as developing early warning systems, effective public awareness and education programmes. Keywords - climate change, management, planning, adaptation, Iraq.