Antalya:President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran has urged the international community to establish stronger mechanisms for documenting and holding accountable those responsible for environmental damage caused by military actions. He emphasized the critical link between peace and environmental preservation.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, President Pezeshkian addressed the leaders' summit at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. He called for a reevaluation of shared responsibility and climate justice, highlighting the lasting environmental consequences of military conflicts. He specifically cited recent military actions by the US and Israel against Iran, which resulted in significant human, economic, and environmental impacts.
President Pezeshkian pointed to assessments showing that strikes on fuel facilities in Asaluyeh released approximately 500,000 tons of pollutants, while attacks on storage facilities near Tehran emitted about one million tons of carbon dioxide. He described these incidents as contradictory to global greenhouse gas reduction efforts and underscored the negative impact of military activities on climate protection initiatives.
The Iranian president also highlighted the importance of preserving shared environmental assets, such as protected areas and ranger stations, for future generations. He advocated for international mechanisms to document environmental damage, prevent future incidents, and ensure accountability, as well as to compensate for losses from military aggression.
Despite sanctions, President Pezeshkian noted Iran's progress in renewable energy development, with capacity growing from 1,250 megawatts to over 6,150 megawatts in two years. He reported that clean electricity generation prevented 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions this year.
Reaffirming Iran's commitment to international cooperation, President Pezeshkian stated that peace and environmental protection are mutually dependent, and he stressed the importance of passing the Earth on safely to future generations.