Climate action needed now

Global problems

The average temperature rise compared to pre-industrial levels is already 1.2 degrees, which is too close to the 1.5 degrees that the international scientific community warns us is the limit if we want to avoid catastrophic developments such as floods, wildfires, storms, and heatwaves.

The SG is urging those who are the worst CO2 emitters to urgently commit to net zero emissions by 2050 and -- most importantly -- to put in place policies and programmes that will get us there. 

Iran

Like all other countries, Iran must contribute, too, as it is already affected by climate change. Geographically Iran is in the dry belt of the world with high temperatures and relatively limited rain and snow. This makes water resources as one of most important limiting factors in the development of the country.

Iran’s economy is affected in more ways by the consequences of the climate change. Global research shows that in a climate zone like Iran’s, every one-degree increase in temperature can reduce crop production by 10% which of course affects both economy and food security of Iran.

Globally, all production and development sectors need access to water resources which does put pressure on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Water

Environmental challenges affecting the world such as climate change-water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and pollution are compounded by the gap between development demands, poor incentives and the economic and development planning capacity at the national level in both developed and developing countries.

By 2050, cumulative damage from climate change and associated environmental degradation is projected to reach USD 8 trillion, reducing global GDP by 3 per cent, with disproportionate effects on the poorest regions.

The scale and pace of non ‘green’ growth has been greater and faster than the capacity and commitment to restore, renew, and replenish ecological resources. Sadly, this is a trend that is likely to accelerate in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery period.

Integrated solutions

There are no easy fixes. What must fundamentally change is the way these environmental threats are approached. They must be treated as highly interconnected phenomena, interacting with socioeconomic factors, notably widespread and worsening inequalities. Climate change and water scarcity do not impact food systems alone.

In the UN, the priority is a coherent and coordinated approach.  The UN Team in Iran’s focus is on an inclusive green recovery and development in line with the National Development Plan and priorities. This means supporting transitions to sustainable energy, improved natural resource management while helping to diversify and build a resilient economy.

To read UN World Water Development Report, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/WaterDayReport