Iran and the European Union renewed their commitment to the 2015 Paris accord on curbing the global warming.
“Domestic legal procedures are underway to finalize an approval for joining the pact,” head of Iran’s Department of Environment Isa Kalantari told visiting European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Miguel Arias Canete in a meeting on Sunday.
“The Paris agreement has secured initial approval from the government and parliament but the Guardians Council detected some problems which it is trying to address before issuing the final approval,” Kalantari was quoted as saying by DOE’s official news portal.
The council reviews any legislation approved by parliament for conformity with the Constitution and Islamic law.
Under the Paris agreement, the world’s countries commit to tackling climate change by 2030.
Those who signed the pledge have vowed to undertake initiatives toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Litany of Challenges
Elaborating on related measures taken by the Iranian government, Kalantari said, “Despite the over-complicated and tough environmental situation facing the country due to, among other things, a significant decline in precipitation, a rise in temperatures, the desiccation of many wetlands and cruel [US-imposed] sanctions, the government is spending a substantial portion of its budget on preserving and improving the environment.”
He cited the government’s successful effort to revitalize the imperiled Urmia Lake.
“For instance, we managed to stop Urmia Lake drying up and stabilize it.”
The DOE has also been assigned with four major tasks by the government, namely combating dust storms, reviving the wetlands, improving the air quality of metropolises and waste management.
Kalantari called for the EU’s financial and technological help to address Iran’s environmental challenges, especially in line with the Paris accord’s objectives.
“European Union can extend cooperation to Iran through sharing its experiences and technical know-how and helping provide the required funds,” he said.
Cooperation between Iran and Europe can expand to cover a wider range including the promotion of renewable energies, development of the public transport sector, auto-making and effective waste management, Kalantari added.
EU Commitment
Canete lamented the US withdrawal from the climate pact and reneging on its pledge to contribute funds, but said his side feels bound to ensure the full implementation of the agreement in cooperation with other well-off nations.
“The EU will adhere to its financial commitments and will contribute its share of the goal to reduce greenhouse gases and will work with countries such as China and Canada to reach an effective decision in an upcoming ministerial meeting, to which Iran is also invited, regarding major issues like the financing of the Paris agreement by member-state parties after the US pullout.”
At the UN Climate Change Conference held last November under the leadership of Fiji, nations agreed to fast track and complete their work to approve the guidelines, officially termed the Paris Agreement Work Program, at their next meeting slated for December in Katowice, Poland.
