Lancet Countdown 2025 Warning on the Health Impacts of Climate Change in Iran

The Lancet Countdown 2025 report, released under the theme “Climate Action: A Lifeline for Health,” was presented at the Second International Symposium on Climate Change and Health on 26 November 2025. The report was introduced by Dr. Marina Romanello and represents a collaborative effort by 128 researchers from 71 academic and international institutions, with the participation of the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the report’s findings, Iran is facing increasing health risks driven by climate change. Data from the past five years indicate that individuals in Iran have experienced an average of 23 days of heatwaves, 85% of which would not have occurred without climate change. In addition, approximately 5,000 heat-related deaths are recorded annually—more than double the number reported in the 1990s.

The report identifies rising concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as a major threat to public health and warns of an increased risk of climate-sensitive diseases, including dengue fever and malaria, in Iran.

In the energy and environmental sector, the Lancet Countdown highlights that renewable energy accounts for only 0.4% of Iran’s electricity generation. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is associated with approximately 18,400 deaths attributable to air pollution each year. Furthermore, in 2023, Iran provided an estimated USD 84 billion in fossil fuel subsidies—equivalent to 372% of the country’s total health budget—ranking it as the second-largest fossil fuel subsidizer globally.

In conclusion, the Lancet Countdown 2025 emphasizes that climate action is not only an environmental imperative but an urgent public health necessity. Without substantial reforms in energy, environmental, and health policies, the burden of preventable disease and premature mortality in Iran is expected to continue to rise.