TEHRAN –Air pollution, landslide, and lack of water resources are being turned into significant challenges and concerning issues that require national consensus to be addressed effectively, Shina Ansari, the new head of the Department of Environment (DOE), has said.

Sand and dust storms in eastern, western, and southwestern provinces of the country are also great challenges affecting people’s lives, IRNA quoted Ansari as saying.

“First, these challenges need to be recognized, and their potential impacts on social, economic, ecological, health and even security must be taken into account to be able to address environmental issues at high levels with an interdepartmental coordination,” the official noted.

Adopting proper policies and monitoring their implementation is the main responsibility of the department of environment to deal with air pollution, she added.

Decommissioning of worn-out cars, improving the quality of fuels, and vehicles, developing public transportation, providing resources, and reducing industrial emissions are among the key factors to deal with air pollution, Ansari highlighted.

However, air pollution as a major challenge in large and industrial cities cannot be tackled in a short time, she stressed.

Referring to climate change, the official said drought, floods, and changes in rainfall patterns are among the effects of climate change, which have been increasing in West Asia.

Noting that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the effective ways to mitigate climate change impacts, Ansari said there are plans to be implemented; in general, urban resilience needs to be enhanced against challenges posed by climate change.

To reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, the development of clean energy is vital. However, using free solar energy available in the region requires initial investment.

As water scarcity due to climate change intensifies, the landslide occurs, as well, Ansari stated. Nevertheless, there are different ways to address these problems like changing the agricultural cultivation practices.

Also, issuing licenses to water-consuming industries in arid and critical areas should be prohibited while implementing development plans should be highlighted.

Transboundary issues such as water rights and sand and dust storms can be followed up on by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she added.

The official went on to stress that the cooperation and participation of people are essential in addressing environmental challenges.

According to Article 50 of the Constitution, protecting the environment is a public duty, but it seems that during different periods it has been merely ceremonial. It is important to facilitate and ensure meaningful participation of people by creating opportunities for their involvement in environmental conservation activities, Ansari further noted.

MT/MG