Sustainable environment development and energy efficiency are essential for human development. The national challenges of environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services also have a global impact, as climate change, loss of biodiversity and ozone layer depletion cannot be addressed by countries independently. UNDP assists countries in strengthening their capacity to address these challenges at global, national and local levels, seeking out and sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through pilot projects that help people living in poverty build sustainable livelihoods.
In Iran, environmental and natural resources have been substantially degraded over the past decades, mainly due to unsustainable development and consumption patterns, overpopulation, institutional fragmentation, inadequate enforcement of laws and regulations and a number of socioeconomic root causes. The national commitment to safeguard the environment and reverse the trend of environmental degradation is reflected in Iran’s ratification of a majority of global environmental treaties and conventions, the incorporation of environmental concerns into the national planning frameworks, and active civil society involvement as partners in environmental management.
UNDP’s interventions in environmental programmes in Iran cover various areas from capacity building and technology transfer under the global environmental treaties to policy advice, technical studies, regional cooperation initiatives and field-level pilots with unique local governance features, community-based approaches and equitable mechanisms to managing natural resources and balancing development concerns with environmental sustainability concerns.
The majority of UNDP’s environment initiatives are funded by two trust funds: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MP). UNDP also allocates its core funding in support of strategic interventions within the Energy and Environment Programme areas. These are primarily formulated to address policy and upstream issues.
GEF was established in 1991 and is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities. With funding from GEF, UNDP is supporting the Government’s efforts to help mitigate and adapt to global climate change, conserve globally significant species and ecosystems, put a stop to the consuming and stockpiling of harmful Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and help destroy existing stockpiles, stem the tide of degradation of international water bodies, as well as halt and reverse land degradation processes.
MP has since its inception in 1987 been viewed as a best example of collaborative efforts to address a pressing global environmental issue. Through the Protocol, the member states of the UN have committed themselves to eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances in both developed and developing countries as per an internationally agreed time schedule. Financial assistance has been provided through the MP to developing country members to strengthen national capacities and meet obligations. Through the MP programme, UNDP has assisted Iran in building sound capacities and complying with the global commitments as well as phasing out the ozone depleting chemicals in various sectors.
For further information on UNDP’s services and support for sustainable environment development & energy efficiency in Iran contact:
Mehdi Kamyab
Programme Specialist & Head,
Energy, Environment and Disaster Management Programme Cluster
UNDP Iran
Tel: (9821) 2860691-4 (x 421)
Fax: (9821) 286 9547
Email:mehdi.kamyab@undp.org
