Despite sanctions, Iran has achieved remarkable progress in adapting to climate change: DOE chief – Tehran Times

Report on Iran’s Climate Action and Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals at COP30

Executive Summary

This report details the statements and diplomatic engagements of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). Despite facing significant external challenges, including unilateral coercive measures and restricted access to technology and finance, Iran has demonstrated considerable progress in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The nation’s efforts align with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The report outlines national achievements, ongoing challenges, and the pursuit of international cooperation to advance a global environmental agenda.

National Progress in Alignment with SDGs

Commitment to SDG 13: Climate Action

Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to global climate objectives, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change impacts. Despite being deprived of technology transfers envisioned in the Climate Change Convention, the country continues to implement measures to enhance its resilience. However, significant environmental challenges persist, including:

• Prolonged drought conditions.
• An approximate temperature increase of 1.8 degrees Celsius over the past 50 years.
• A 50-millimeter decline in precipitation over the same period.

Advancements in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Iran has made tangible progress in transitioning towards renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. These actions directly contribute to SDG 7 and SDG 13. Key achievements over the past year include:

1. A 75% increase in solar energy capacity.
2. Expansion of wind power generation.
3. Ongoing projects to increase nuclear power capacity.
4. A reduction of 10 billion cubic meters in carbon emissions through efficient flare management in oil and gas fields, with a further 12 billion cubic meter reduction planned over the next four years.
5. Joining the BRICS carbon market to foster new avenues for emissions reduction.

Challenges to Sustainable Development and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The report highlights that unilateral coercive measures and military aggression pose significant threats to environmental stability and the achievement of the SDGs. These actions not only violate international law but also impede progress by causing extensive environmental destruction and limiting access to necessary financial and technological resources. The reported release of over 50,000 tons of carbon emissions in Tehran from military actions underscores the conflict’s negative impact on SDG 13. This situation emphasizes the critical link between SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) and the successful implementation of environmental and sustainable development agendas.

Environmental Diplomacy and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

On the sidelines of COP30, Iran engaged in several high-level meetings to strengthen international cooperation, reflecting a strong commitment to SDG 17. These partnerships are crucial for sharing knowledge, leveraging resources, and addressing transboundary environmental challenges.

Engagements with International Organizations

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Discussions with Executive Secretary Simon Stiell focused on Iran’s measures to curb emissions despite sanctions. The UNFCCC acknowledged Iran’s efforts and pledged to support its climate action initiatives.
• UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat): In a meeting with Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach, the focus was on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Iran highlighted the need for comprehensive urban planning to mitigate climate impacts and improve urban resilience, while UN-Habitat emphasized boosting joint efforts in urban and climate risk management.

Bilateral Cooperation

• Croatia: Discussions with Minister Marija Vuckovic centered on promoting environmental cooperation. Iran expressed readiness to share expertise in managing protected areas, water resources, and industrial pollution, contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): A meeting with Minister Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi addressed the escalating impacts of climate change in West Asia. Both parties called for enhanced bilateral ties to increase adaptive capacity and resilience, with a specific focus on implementing prior agreements to address sand and dust storms, a critical issue for SDG 15.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article extensively discusses Iran’s efforts in transitioning to cleaner energy sources. It explicitly mentions increasing solar and wind power capacity, plans for nuclear power, and implementing energy efficiency projects. These actions are central to achieving affordable and clean energy for all.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article references a meeting with the UN-Habitat executive director, where the discussion focused on “comprehensive urban planning to mitigate climate change impacts, improve the sustainability and resilience of cities,” and “improving urban management and climate risk management.” This directly aligns with the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the primary focus of the article. The entire text revolves around Iran’s actions to address climate change, including “reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change,” strengthening resilience to impacts like drought and rising temperatures, and participating in international climate conferences like COP30.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article mentions discussions about sharing expertise on “managing protected areas, water and wetland resources” and addressing climate change impacts on “biodiversity.” These topics are directly related to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights Iran’s engagement in “environmental diplomacy,” including meetings with officials from the UNFCC, UN-Habitat, Croatia, and the UAE. It emphasizes the importance of “international cooperation,” sharing “local knowledge and experiences,” and forming bilateral ties to achieve common environmental goals. It also points to the challenges in partnership, such as “restrictions on access to modern technologies, knowledge, financial support, and foreign investment.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

  The article directly supports this target by stating that Iran has “increased its solar energy capacity by 75 percent, expanded wind power generation,” and is adding to a “target to increase nuclear power capacity.”

• Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

  This target is addressed through the mention of “enhanced energy efficiency management projects” being underway in Iran.

• Target 11.b: Substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters.

  The discussion on “comprehensive urban planning to mitigate climate change impacts” and the approval of a “climate change management plan” reflect efforts to implement integrated plans for climate adaptation and resilience in urban areas.

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

  Iran’s efforts are framed as adapting to climate change and enhancing the “Country’s resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change,” such as “prolonged drought and rising temperature.”

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

  The article mentions the approval of a “climate change management plan,” which indicates the integration of climate action into national planning.

• Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.

  The diplomatic meetings held on the sidelines of COP30, where Iran voiced its readiness to “share its local knowledge and experiences” and “foster scientific interactions,” are direct examples of pursuing this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable Energy Share)

  A specific quantitative indicator is provided: “increased its solar energy capacity by 75 percent” over the past year. This directly measures the growth in renewable energy capacity.

• Indicator for Target 13.2 (Climate Change Planning)

  A key indicator is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The article provides precise figures: a “10 billion cubic meters reduction” in carbon emissions from flare management, with a “further 12 billion cubic meter reduction plan for the next 4 years.”

• Indicator for Target 13.1 (Climate Resilience)

  The article implies the need for adaptation by citing specific climate impact indicators: a “rising temperature of approximately 1.8 degrees” and a “decline of 50 millimeters in precipitation over the past 50 years.” Progress would be measured by the implementation of projects that address these specific challenges.

• Indicator for Target 11.b (Sustainable Urban Planning)

  The existence of national-level plans is an indicator. The article mentions the approval of a “climate change management plan” and ongoing efforts in “comprehensive urban planning,” which serve as qualitative indicators of progress.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tehrantimes.com