Iran to COP27: sanctions hindering climate efforts

Iran's envoy to the ongoing UN climate talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Tuesday said that Western sanctions had hindered his country's attempts to tackle climate change.

Ali Salajegheh, head of Iran's environment protection department, said the "unjustifiable and unfair" sactions had "limited our access to financial resources, new technologies and tools necessary for taking effective steps to reduce emissions, boost adaptation, and improve air quality."

Iran's economy has been hit hard by U.S and EU sanctions over its controversial nuclear program and, more recently, its crackdown on widespread anti-regime protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

Salajegheh argued that the sanctions would "have consequences beyond our national territory and will ultimately contribute to global warming."

In recent years, the country has been faced with various climate-related issues including water shortages, severe air pollution and high carbon emissions caused by extensive use of fossil fuel and old, inefficient factories.