Iran: Water Crisis as Regime Crisis – The Globalist

Report on Iran’s Water Crisis and Sustainable Development Goals

Crisis Overview and Implications for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

Iran is facing a severe water crisis that directly undermines the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The situation is characterized by a combination of prolonged drought and systemic water management challenges.

• A five-year drought, compounded by exceptionally low rainfall, has led to widespread water shortages.
• Dam reservoirs across the country are severely depleted, with those feeding Tehran now at only 14% of their total capacity.
• The crisis has reached a critical point where almost half of Iran’s provinces are officially classified as water-stressed.

Unsustainable Consumption and Agricultural Impact on SDG 2 and SDG 12

The nation’s water consumption patterns are unsustainable, highlighting a failure to advance SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and creating significant risks for food security, a key component of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

1. With a population of approximately 90 million, Iran consumes around 100 billion cubic meters of water annually, nearly double the amount used by neighboring Turkey, which has a similar population size.
2. Over 90% of Iran’s freshwater is allocated to the agricultural sector, which occupies only 12% of the country’s land area. This inefficient allocation jeopardizes both long-term water availability and food security.
3. The crisis is described as largely “homemade,” pointing to systemic governance issues that conflict with the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Climate Change Exacerbation and Environmental Degradation (SDG 13 & SDG 15)

Climate change is a significant factor intensifying the water crisis, with severe consequences for the environment that directly challenge progress on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Iran is experiencing record-high temperatures, with several regions exceeding 50°C.
• An estimated 70% of the country’s 400 billion cubic meters of rainfall in 2024 was lost to evaporation, a stark contrast to the 50% loss in Turkey.
• The direct results include increased desertification, more frequent sandstorms, and persistent drought, all of which degrade terrestrial ecosystems and are exacerbated by rising global temperatures.

Governmental Response and Regional Cooperation (SDG 11 & SDG 17)

The government’s response involves both domestic conservation efforts and international diplomacy, impacting urban sustainability and highlighting the need for cross-border collaboration.

• Authorities have implemented water and electricity conservation measures in Tehran province to cope with heatwaves and power cuts, affecting the resilience and sustainability of urban areas as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• To address domestic shortages, Iran is pursuing negotiations to import water from neighboring countries, including Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, underscoring the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article’s central theme is Iran’s severe water crisis, directly addressing the core of SDG 6. It details issues like “five years of drought,” “widespread water shortages,” “dam reservoirs to severely deplete,” and provinces being “officially classified as water stressed.”
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • This goal is relevant due to the article’s focus on the agricultural sector’s impact on water resources. The statement that “More than 90% of Iran’s freshwater flows into agriculture” highlights the link between water management and food production systems, which is a key aspect of ensuring sustainable agriculture under SDG 2.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article explicitly connects the water crisis to climate change. It states that the crisis is “exacerbated by rising temperatures driven by climate change” and mentions consequences like “record temperatures — exceeding 50°C in several regions,” which are direct climate-related hazards.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The impact on terrestrial ecosystems is clearly mentioned. The article notes that a result of the water crisis is “increased desertification,” which directly relates to the SDG 15 aim of combating desertification and halting land degradation.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article points to inefficient resource use. Iran’s annual water consumption of “100 billion cubic meters” is “nearly double the amount used by neighboring Turkey, which has a comparably sized population.” This highlights unsustainable consumption patterns, a key concern of SDG 12.
6. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The water crisis directly affects human settlements. The article mentions that “Reservoirs feeding Tehran’s dams are now at just 14% of their total capacity” and that authorities have taken measures to “conserve water and electricity in Tehran province,” showing the direct impact on urban resilience and sustainability.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article touches upon international cooperation to address the resource shortage. The mention of “Negotiations to import water… with neighboring countries Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan” is an example of transboundary cooperation, which is a component of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • This target is central to the article. The text highlights severe water scarcity (“five years of drought,” “widespread water shortages”) and inefficient use, noting that over 90% of freshwater is used for agriculture and that Iran’s overall consumption is double that of Turkey.
2. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • The article describes Iran’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards, stating the crisis is “exacerbated by rising temperatures driven by climate change” and results in “more frequent sandstorms and drought.” This points to a need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity.
3. Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • The article directly identifies “increased desertification” as a consequence of the water crisis, making this target highly relevant.
4. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought…
   • The fact that “More than 90% of Iran’s freshwater flows into agriculture” during a period of extreme drought points to unsustainable agricultural practices that are not resilient to climate change, directly relating to this target.
5. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • The comparison of Iran’s water consumption (“100 billion cubic meters annually”) to Turkey’s, along with the high rate of evaporation (“70% of it evaporated”), indicates a lack of efficient use of the natural resource of water.
6. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
   • The mention of “Negotiations to import water… with neighboring countries” is a direct example of pursuing transboundary cooperation as part of water resource management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 6.4 (Level of water stress):
   • The article provides direct indicators of water stress. Quantitatively, it states that reservoirs for Tehran are at “just 14% of their total capacity.” Qualitatively, it notes that “Almost half of Iran’s provinces are now officially classified as water stressed.”
2. Indicator for Target 6.4 (Change in water-use efficiency):
   • The article provides several data points that serve as indicators of inefficiency. These include the total consumption (“100 billion cubic meters annually”), the comparison to a neighboring country (“nearly double the amount used by neighboring Turkey”), the sectoral distribution (“More than 90% of Iran’s freshwater flows into agriculture”), and the high evaporation rate (“70% of it evaporated, compared to a 50% loss in Turkey”).
3. Indicator for Target 13.1 (Climate-related hazards):
   • The article mentions specific climate hazards that can be tracked as indicators, such as “record temperatures — exceeding 50°C in several regions” and the increased frequency of “sandstorms and drought.”
4. Indicator for Target 15.3 (Proportion of land that is degraded):
   • The article explicitly mentions “increased desertification” as a result of the water crisis. This serves as a direct, albeit non-quantified, indicator of land degradation.
5. Indicator for Target 6.5 (Transboundary cooperation):
   • The status of “Negotiations to import water… with neighboring countries” serves as an indicator of progress on transboundary water cooperation agreements.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theglobalist.com