Assessment of environmental challenges in Iran: Findings from the 2024 environmental performance index and expert opinions

Subject Areas : Sustainable land management and sustainable urban landscape design

Mohammad Mosaferi ¹ , Ziba Beheshti ^{2 *} , Neda Gilani ³ , Sepideh Nemati Mansour ⁴

1 - Center for Health and Environment Research, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 - Land Evaluation and Environmental Planning, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4 - Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Received: 2025-02-04 Accepted : 2025-04-12 Published : 2025-05-28

Keywords: Evaluation of environmental challenges, Environmental performance index, Environmental health, Iran,

Abstract :

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is an essential tool for evaluating countries environmental performance, incorporating diverse criteria and data to assess both environment conditions and the impact of human activities. This study investigates Iran’s current standing in the 2024 EPI and presents insights experts opinions in environmental health to identify the country's major environmental challenges. Iran ranks 113^th out of 180 countries and 10^th in the Middle East. Key issues affecting environmental health include air pollution, waste-related environmental contamination, pesticide pollution, water scarcity, excessive groundwater extraction, and a general disregard for environmental sustainability. These challenges are of serious concern to experts and are regarded as top national priorities. Air pollution, waste-related contamination, pesticide use, water scarcity, and unsustainable groundwater extraction are consistently highlighted as the most pressing concerns. The most critical problems relate to air quality and climate change. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening environmental governance through effective regulations and the development of comprehensive national programs. Such measures are essential for improving environmental conditions and Iran's EPI performance.

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