Iran will devise an action plan to address climate change as the campaign against global warming gains momentum
The plan will be implemented within the framework of the country’s sixth five-year economic development plan (2016-21), once it is approved by the National Working Group on Climate Change, ILNA quoted Mohsen Nasseri, director of Climate Change Project, as saying.
Speaking at a conference held earlier this week, he said, “Climate change is not a fantasy; it is real and the whole world is determined to tackle it.”
Work on the action plan began in October 2014 and several meetings have been held to bring experts in various fields together to discuss strategies.
The action plan addresses two main issues: curbing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Adaptation refers to efforts by the society or ecosystems to prepare for or adjust to future climate change. Reduction of greenhouse gas emission is the most significant step countries take in global level.
Climate scientists say the world is on track to warm by at least 2 degrees Celsius by 2050 if countries do not take dramatic steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, tailpipes and buildings. Even lesser degrees of warming will have dire consequences for the world’s food supplies, coastal communities and human health.
Leaders from nearly 200 nations are preparing for high-stakes climate change talks in Paris this December. Governments have agreed to forge a pact to slash their greenhouse gas emissions and help poorer nations adapt to climate impacts.
The emission targets announced by countries so far suggest the treaty will not be strong enough to make a meaningful dent in climate emissions.
If firm action is not taken at the forthcoming climate change talks in Paris and the Earth’s temperature warms by a further 5C, “most regions of the planet become inhospitable”, Nasseri said.
