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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Iran

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Iran

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Iran, with a population of 83.9 million, confronts severe environmental pressures including poor air quality in urban centers, critical water scarcity affecting 35% of the population, and high vulnerability to earthquakes, floods, and droughts. Climate change has driven temperature increases of 1.7°C since the 1970s and reduced precipitation by 15-20% in central regions. The country ranks 117th globally in environmental performance, with limited recycling infrastructure and renewable energy capacity around 1.3GW.

Air Quality Index

0510

Poor

3.5/10(AQI: N/A)

Worsening trend

Air quality in Iran is poor, particularly in urban centers like Tehran where pollution routinely ranks among the world's worst. Vehicle emissions, poorly refined petroleum, outmoded vehicles, and industrial effluents are primary contributors. Dust and sandstorms have increased in frequency, worsening air quality regionally. Tehran experiences frequent pollution alerts and health warnings.

Water Quality

0510

Poor

3.5/10

Water quality in Iran is severely compromised by industrial and urban wastewater runoff, agricultural pollution, and oil spills in the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea. Approximately 35% of Iranians experience water scarcity. Aquifers are being drained at unsustainable rates, and groundwater contamination is widespread. By 2019, Iran ranked fourth globally in risk of depleting water supplies.

Approximately 90% urban access to improved water sources, but quality remains compromised by contamination and salinization.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure in Iran is underdeveloped with limited formal programs. Approximately 50,000 tons of trash is produced daily, with 70-80% disposed hygienically and the remainder improperly managed. Iran produces over 8 million tons of hazardous waste annually. Informal waste picking handles much of the recycling, focusing on metals and plastics in urban areas.

Recycling Rate: —%

Green Spaces

Iran has approximately 6.5% forest coverage, primarily in northern regions like the Caspian forests. The country maintains 24 national parks and protected areas covering roughly 10% of land. However, overgrazing, desertification, and deforestation threaten biodiversity. Iran ranked worst globally for soil erosion in 2011, with erosion rates 2.5 times the world average.

Forest Coverage: 6.5%

National Parks: 24

Key protected areas include Golestan National Park and Urmia Lake region. Forest Landscape Integrity Index score of 7.67/10 (34th globally). Protected areas face pressures from overgrazing, climate change, and land subsidence.

Environmental Policies

Iran has environmental laws including the 1974 Environmental Protection Law and is party to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change but not its Doha Amendment. The country ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. Renewable energy targets aim for 10,000 MW by 2030, with approximately 1.3GW installed by 2023. Single-use plastic bag restrictions exist in Tehran and other provinces since 2020.

Key Policies:

•Environmental Protection Law 1974
•Kyoto Protocol Commitment
•Paris Agreement Ratification 2016
•5th National Development Plan

Renewable Energy: Target of 10,000 MW renewable capacity by 2030, with approximately 1,300 MW solar and wind installed by 2023. Goal of 20% renewables by 2030.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Iran is the sixth most natural hazard-prone country globally, experiencing frequent earthquakes, floods, landslides, and droughts. The country sits on major fault lines and experiences periodic seismic activity. Recent extreme events include a 2023 heatwave with heat index reaching 70°C (158°F) causing nationwide shutdown, and severe droughts affecting 80% of land in 2021.

earthquakesfloodsdroughtsdust stormssandstormslandslidesheatwaves

Climate Change Impacts: Iran has experienced temperature increases of 1.7°C since the 1970s (0.3°C per decade). Projections indicate mean temperature rise of 2.6°C and 35% precipitation decrease in coming decades. Precipitation has declined 15-20% in central regions over 20 years. Heatwaves have increased 20-30% in frequency, with 2023 heatwave reaching 70°C heat index. Droughts affected 80% of land in 2021. Nearly 85% of Iran is arid or semi-arid, with annual precipitation averaging only 250mm. Rising sea levels threaten over 300 million homes by 2050, potentially displacing 100 million people.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy Development

Iran's Renewable Energy Organization (SATBA) promotes solar and wind projects with 1,300 MW capacity installed by 2023. Targets include 20% renewables by 2030 and 10,000 MW by 2030 despite international sanctions hindering technical capacity and energy efficiency improvements.

Water Conservation Programs

National Water Efficiency Plan includes expansion of drip irrigation to 2 million hectares and wastewater reuse targets of 60% by 2025 to address critical water scarcity. However, agriculture still consumes approximately 90% of water resources while contributing only 13% to economy.

Reforestation and Desertification Control

Green Iran Plan aims to plant 40 million trees annually to combat desertification and soil erosion. Approximately 200 million trees planted since 2021. Addresses Iran's ranking as worst globally for soil erosion in 2011 with erosion rates 2.5 times world average.

Wildlife & Nature

Asiatic CheetahCritically Endangered

Persian LeopardEndangered

Persian Fallow DeerVulnerable

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