Bronte Wells
Iran has been facing a series of environmental issues, including water scarcity, air pollution, and deforestation. The country's water scarcity is caused by high climatic variability, uneven distribution of water, over-exploitation of water resources, and a priority on economic development. The drying up of rivers and lakes has led to extensive protests, especially among farmers, who have been forced to abandon their fields. Air pollution, caused by industrialization, has also led to the closure of businesses and schools, contributed to health issues, and impacted economic productivity. The Iranian government has been criticized for its inaction and conflicting approaches, with a focus on economic growth rather than environmental sustainability.
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What You'll Learn
Vehicle emissions
The Iranian government has been criticized for its conflicting approaches and ineffective environmental policies, which have contributed to the air pollution crisis. While strict regulations were passed in 2017 to tackle air pollution, they have been rendered toothless due to a lack of enforcement and prioritization of economic growth.
To address vehicle emissions, the Iranian Fuel Conservation Organization (IFCO) has initiated efforts to convert petrol vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) by using bi-fuel systems. However, the lack of CNG refuelling stations in Tehran hinders the success of this initiative. Additionally, the quality of fuel in Iran, including the octane number of gasoline and the sulfur content in diesel, is a significant concern.
The automotive manufacturing industry in Iran also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Studies have been conducted to assess and predict greenhouse gas emissions from automakers, with a focus on purchased electricity, vehicle production, refrigerant gas leakage, and fuel consumption. The results indicate a need for improved energy intensity and the promotion of renewable energy sources to reduce carbon intensity.
Furthermore, passenger cars in Iran are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and pose energy security challenges due to their dependence on gasoline. Projections indicate that the stock of passenger cars in Iran will triple by 2050, resulting in a significant increase in gasoline demand and GHG emissions. However, integrating efficiency improvements, promoting alternative fuels, and enhancing car retirement can help curb these emissions.
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Refinery operations
Iran's refining sector is increasingly unprofitable and outdated, with the majority of its petroleum products (approximately 85%) sourced from refineries established before the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Only three of its nine crude oil refineries have been operationalized post-1979, with a combined capacity of less than 265,000 barrels per day. These refineries now rely on domestic or Chinese technologies for upgrades.
The country's refineries are highly polluting, with about 30% of crude oil being converted into mazut and bitumen. This has led to a sharp increase in mazut consumption, reflecting Iran's ongoing struggle with gas shortages. In addition, Iran's consumption of mazut surged by 110% last year, reaching about 9 million metric tons. Iran has been substituting diesel and mazut with gas in both industrial and electricity generation sectors.
The most concerning issue is the production of highly polluting fuels with excessive sulfur content. According to the oil ministry's report, Abadan, the nation's largest refinery, converts 44% of crude oil into mazut and bitumen. Less than 25% of domestically produced gasoline meets Euro 4 and 5 standards, and it is only available in eight out of 31 provinces. The use of outdated vehicles and poorly refined petroleum has contributed to Iran's air pollution crisis, with Tehran being rated as one of the world's most polluted cities.
To address gasoline shortages, Iran has added chemicals and aromatics, as well as the carcinogenic substance MTBE (Methyl-tertiary-butyl ether). However, these measures have likely contributed to the rising incidence of respiratory illnesses in Tehran and other cities, prompting the institution of air pollution control programs.
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Industrial effluents
Iran is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population of 91.5 million people. The country has experienced rapid population growth since 1966, and this, along with various climates, a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and a refusal to commit to sustainability goals, has exacerbated Iran's vulnerability to ecological crisis and climate change.
Iran's environmental issues include vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents, which contribute to poor air quality, especially in urban areas. According to the Global Carbon Atlas, Iran ranks sixth in the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, and its CO2 emissions have more than doubled in the past two decades. Tehran, the capital city, is one of the most polluted cities globally, with air pollution estimated to cause thousands of premature deaths each year.
To address water pollution from industrial effluents, Iran has implemented the "Wastewater Effluent Standard," which sets maximum concentration limits for pollutants discharged into surface water, absorbent wells, and water used for agriculture and irrigation. However, there is a need for more industry-specific effluent standards that take into account the unique processes, treatment technologies, and management abilities of different sectors.
The iron and steel industry in Iran has been a particular focus of studies aiming to establish reliable effluent standards. These studies have employed integrated methodologies that consider environmental, technical, economic, and institutional factors to determine the most appropriate effluent limit values for this specific industry.
In conclusion, industrial effluents have significantly contributed to Iran's environmental challenges, particularly water pollution and scarcity. The country has implemented standards and conducted studies to establish reliable effluent limits, but the complex nature of industrial pollution and the varying needs of different industries continue to pose challenges.
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Fossil fuel use
Iran's environmental issues are largely due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, refusal to commit to sustainability goals, and prioritization of economic development. The country's energy consumption has been growing rapidly due to factors such as development, population growth, urbanization, and government subsidies.
Iran has one of the world's largest and most densely populated countries, with a population of about 91.5 million people. This, along with various climates and increased population growth, has exacerbated Iran's vulnerability to ecological crises and climate change. The country's environmental issues include poor air quality, caused by vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents, especially in urban areas.
Iran's energy consumption per capita is estimated to be 80% above the average for the Middle East, and its energy intensity is about twice the global average. The government has been subsidizing fossil fuels, leading to very high consumption in urban areas and contributing to serious air pollution in major cities. Iran's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels, with natural gas being the primary source of energy, followed by oil and coal.
The country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in a sharp increase in the domestic consumption of highly polluting fuels like mazut, while simultaneously increasing its exports of cleaner fuels like natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and kerosene. This has contributed to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions, with Iran ranking sixth in the world in terms of these emissions, more than doubling in the past two decades.
The Iranian government has been trying to address the air pollution crisis by implementing air pollution control programs, pursuing subsidy reforms, and planning to replace the existing public transportation fleet with buses and cars running on natural gas. However, these efforts have been undermined by conflicting approaches, a lack of commitment to sustainability, and a focus on economic growth.
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Water scarcity
One of the primary causes of water scarcity in Iran is the decline in precipitation levels and increasing temperatures, leading to rapid desertification. Between 2017 and 2018, precipitation levels decreased by 25%, affecting even historically water-rich areas. This has resulted in a reported reduction of water entering Iran's dams by 33%, from 32 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 2017 to 25 BCM in 2018. The country is projected to experience a further decrease in precipitation of 35% in the coming decades, exacerbating the existing water scarcity issues.
Mismanagement of water resources and misguided policies have also played a significant role in Iran's water crisis. This includes overdevelopment of urban areas, excessive dam construction, draining of groundwater for agriculture, and inadequate investment in infrastructure. The agricultural sector, which consumes the most water in Iran, has faced reduced productivity, leading to farmers abandoning their lands and migrating to urban areas. The expansion of irrigation and widespread drilling of wells have contributed to the depletion of groundwater reserves, with over 75% of Iran's land area experiencing extreme groundwater overdraft.
The water crisis in Iran has had far-reaching consequences. It has amplified social tensions, unemployment, and migration, with people fleeing water-scarce areas forming informal settlements and slums around major cities. The crisis has also impacted various industries, including agriculture, heavy industry, and the petrochemical sector, recording losses due to water shortages. Additionally, water scarcity has contributed to protests and instability in the country, with people demanding better governance and expressing concerns over their livelihoods.
To address the water scarcity issue, Iran has implemented projects like the Karun-3 dam and the Khersan-3 dam. However, these projects have also faced criticism for displacing residents and exacerbating environmental injustices. While the government has made efforts to restore some water bodies, such as Lake Urmia, the overall water crisis in Iran persists and continues to be a significant challenge for the country.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several causes of pollution in Iran, including vehicle emissions, refinery operations, industrial effluents, construction sites, and the burning of fossil fuels.
Pollution has had a significant impact on Iran's economy. The World Bank estimates losses of $640 million due to deaths caused by air pollution, which is equal to 0.57% of its GDP. Additionally, diseases resulting from air pollution are causing losses of $260 million per year or 0.23% of the GDP.
The Iranian government has implemented air pollution control programs in Tehran and Arak to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere. However, there have been criticisms of government inaction, with the Tehran Prosecutor's Office pressing criminal charges against bureaucrats who prioritized development and industrial production over the environment.
