Integrated strategies for carbon emission control and air quality improvement in Iran

Abstract

Synergistic reduction of carbon emissions and air pollutants is critical to achieving two major strategic objectives: (a) significantly improving Iran’s ecological environment and (b) meeting its national targets for carbon mitigation and pollution control. Strengthening emissions management at the provincial level remains an urgent priority, not only for Iran but also for many fossil-fuel-dependent countries. Drawing on data from a major industrial region in Iran, this study applies environmentally extended input–output analysis combined with structural path analysis to identify the principal contributors to CO₂, SO₂, and total particulate matter (TPM) emissions and to map critical supply-chain emission pathways. The results reveal that fossil fuel extraction, nonmetal mineral products, metal smelting, power and heating plants, and the transportation sector dominate direct emissions. On the consumption side, construction activities, equipment manufacturing, and service sectors collectively account for over 45% of embodied CO₂, SO₂, and TPM emissions. Among the top 100 emission pathways, 32 are common across all three pollutants, representing 27–51% of Iran’s total emissions. These key pathways primarily involve exports and gross capital formation driving upstream emissions in sectors such as nonmetal mineral products and metal smelting. The findings offer a robust foundation for designing targeted mitigation policies and provide valuable insights for provincial strategies within Iran, as well as for other nations seeking effective approaches to reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution simultaneously.