Iran's ‘Natural Resources Week’ and the road to green and sustainable future

By Nahid Poureisa

Natural Resources Week in Iran is more than just a symbolic tree-planting event. It's an opportunity to reflect on the country's commitment to environmental preservation, which stands in stark contrast to the misleading narratives disseminated by Western media.

Iran has long been portrayed as a nation that doesn't prioritize the environment and is left to suffer at the hands of negligence. Western media headlines portray the scarcity of water as a "silent massacre" and refer to Iran's resource management as "water bankruptcy."

According to them, the Islamic Republic of Iran "neither respects the health of its environment nor the lives of its people."

These remarks serve an agenda, using environmental issues as a front in the larger imperialist hybrid warfare against Iran. They are not motivated by a sincere concern for the Iranian people or the environment.

The natural and economic circumstances of the country are purposefully ignored in these narratives. For instance, unrestrained industry is not the only cause of Tehran's air pollution; the city's geographical location and topography play a significant role.

Inversion occurs when the surrounding mountains trap air. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has significantly improved living standards across the country by undergoing necessary urbanization and infrastructure development. Development was a necessity, not a choice.

Equally important is the devastating impact of imperialist sanctions on environmental protection and air quality in major cities.

The reality is that Iran's leadership has long prioritized ecological protection as a national priority and is cognizant of these environmental issues. Integrating sustainability into national governance is more than just protecting forests or reducing pollution.

In Iran, environmental protection is an integrated policy framework supported by the highest levels of government and is not a secondary concern. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has long promoted green technologies, stringent conservation regulations, and conscientious urban design as part of a comprehensive approach to ecological sustainability.

National environmental directives

Here are the 15 national directives issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution in 2015, presenting a comprehensive framework that outlines the country's environmental policies:

1. Integrated Management: Coordinated governance of air, water, soil, and biodiversity.
2. National Environmental System: A unified framework for sustainability.
3. Health and Justice: Environmental equity across generations.
4. Criminalization: Punishing pollution and enforcing accountability.
5. Monitoring and Compliance: Controlling pollution and enforcing standards.
6. Ecological Atlas and Conservation: Mapping and protecting natural resources.
7. Climate Action: Combating desertification, dust storms, and drought.
8. Green Economy: Clean energy, organic farming, and waste management.
9. Sustainable Use: Efficient resource consumption and production.
10. Eco-Transport: Expanding green public transit (electric vehicles).
11. Water Protection: Managing groundwater and preventing pollution.
12. Green Economy Tools: Taxes and incentives for sustainability.
13. Environmental Ethics: Institutionalizing responsibility.
14. Innovation and Research: Advancing technology and knowledge.
15. Environmental Diplomacy: Regional and global cooperation.

Integrated with national initiatives for the long-term preservation of Iran's natural resources, this vision is not based on catchphrases.

The primary objectives of the Leader's environmental directives are air, water, soil, and biodiversity management that balance ecological responsibility with human progress.

Sustainable practices are required by law and morality; they are not optional. Environmental damage has been criminalized, penalties are enforced, and efforts to promote the green economy, from sustainable agriculture to renewable energy, are vigorously supported.

Iran is implementing concrete, well-thought-out measures to combat pollution, resource depletion, desertification, and climate change.

One billion tree initiative

A bold attempt to reforest Iran to counteract desertification and advance environmental sustainability, the ‘One Billion Tree’ Initiative was launched in 2022 during the administration of then-president Ebrahim Raeisi. Iran's Leader has also personally supported the campaign, encouraging Iranians to actively participate in creating a greener future:

"The government's plan will be realized over four years if every Iranian plants three saplings."

To emphasize the importance of afforestation as a national and environmental responsibility, he personally plants seedlings on Tree Planting Day each year, as he did this week.

He has also condemned unnecessary tree cutting as a destructive and dangerous practice, issuing strong warnings against land mismanagement and deforestation.

While urbanization is necessary and unavoidable, nature need not suffer as a result.

A strong example of Iran's commitment to protecting green spaces despite urban expansion is the Green Belt initiative in Tehran.

Tehran green belt

Since its inception in 1986, over 50,000 hectares have been added to this initiative, with 7,000 more hectares added in the last four years alone. Leader has personally participated in these afforestation initiatives in Tehran, highlighting the importance of urban sustainability.

He has issued clear warnings against unregulated urban growth, stating:

"Creating and maintaining green spaces must be a top priority given the uncontrolled rise of construction and destruction of natural resources."

For decades, Leader has emphasized both the government’s and the people’s duty to protect the environment. He asserts that forests and green spaces are not private assets to be exploited; they belong to the nation and future generations:

"Forests and green spaces are not personal properties that anyone can take over and destroy; they belong to the nation and future generations."

This vision extends beyond forests to include clean air, sustainable urban planning, and ecological responsibility at every level of governance. He has repeatedly condemned environmental neglect, stating:

"The problem of air pollution and destruction of nature is not something that can be ignored; these are issues that affect people’s lives and must be taken seriously."

His leadership has framed environmental consciousness not just as a policy requirement but as a moral and national duty.

Tackling air pollution in Tehran

To improve air quality in Tehran, 189 electric buses and more than 2,000 electric taxis have been imported. As Iranians celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, the goal is to increase the number of electric buses to 500 and 6,000 e-taxis by the end of this Persian year.

While this is not enough to fully resolve Tehran’s air pollution issues, the initiative is a significant step toward overcoming the challenges in the transportation system.

Encouragingly, a joint production line with Iran is also planned to manufacture electric buses domestically. Additionally, an agreement with China will bring 27,500 electric taxis and 2,500 more electric buses to Iran by mid-next year.

The concrete reality of everyday life for Iranians in major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Arak is one of struggle, particularly with air pollution.

This year, hazardous air quality even forced school closures, prompting justified demands for stronger action. Iran’s leader, even before the public outcry, has repeatedly raised the issue, personally echoing calls for urgent solutions.

The path toward a better quality of life and well-being for Iranians is being paved. With dedication, the implementation of the leader’s initiatives, and other integrated projects, the possibilities for a healthier, more sustainable future remain strong and promising.

Nahid Poureisa is an Iranian analyst and academic researcher focused on West Asia and China.

(The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Press TV.)

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