Iran climate chief blames US sanctions for failure to meet Paris targets
Iran’s climate chief has blamed sanctions imposed by the United States for the slow pace of efforts to meet global environmental targets, including those set under a landmark agreement reached in France five years ago.
Ali Salajegheh, an Iranian deputy president who leads the country’s environment protection agency, said in remarks published on Thursday that US sanctions had stalled Iran’s efforts to use the technology and knowhow needed to improve its environment standards.
Salajegheh told the BBC News that Iran would fully comply with its climate obligations under the 2015 Paris Agreement if sanctions imposed by the US are dismantled.
“If the sanctions are removed, then we have a commitment towards the international community, it is at that time that they can transfer modern technology and finance to us especially in the area of renewable energy so we can modernize our deteriorating infrastructure,” he said.
The comments came as the Iranian climate chief was attending the United Nations climate summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
Salajegheh said in a speech to the gathering of global leaders that the Iranian parliament has refused to ratify the Paris deal on climate change only because lawmakers are not sure the country would be able to meet targets set under the accord because of the US sanctions.
“Their question is that if the Islamic Republic of Iran becomes a full member of the Paris Agreement, with sanctions or unilateral coercive measures still applied, how can we fulfill our obligations when we are unable to receive any financial or technical assistance from the international community?” said the official on Tuesday.
Iran heavily relies on oil and gas for its energy and financial needs and has been described by the Climate Action Tracker as the eight largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world.
However, authorities say they a full commitment to international obligations on climate protection would be possible if the Iran’s economy is relieved of the illegal foreign pressure.
“When you have an economic terrorism that has blockaded us, we are now saying remove this and we can engage with the world and then rest assured that we will be here,” Salajegheh told the BBC in Glasgow.
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