Next DOE Chief Must Bridge Gap With Authorities

As rumors circulate about the possible departure of Massoumeh Ebtekar from the helm of the Department of Environment, the head of DOE’s Public Participation Office said the next chief must create a “common language” with the country’s top brass to improve environmental conditions.

Speaking to ISNA, Mohammad Darvish added that if the DOE boss fails to communicate the country’s environmental needs to senior government officials in a manner that shows the urgency of problems facing Iran, the DOE will come under the fire of friends and foes alike.

“Whoever heads the department has to have the ability to convince other officials that protecting the environment is in our national interest; it has economic and cultural benefits,” he said.

Darvish criticized the disregard for environment shown by many government entities, saying that “they care more about checking inflation and controlling the price of eggs and chicken”.

“It’s sad that most people at the top still think that the environment is an obstacle to growth and is holding Iran back from reaching 8% economic growth,” he said, conceding that environmentalists, including himself, failed in their task to change such views toward the environment.

Darvish noted that the next person who takes the helm of DOE has to be prepared to meet high expectations and deliver on promises.