Tehran-based English newspaper, Iran Daily, reported that Ebtekar has launched the campaign calling it “The 18° Celsius Temperature Challenge”.
“Set your thermostat at home or work [at 18° Celsius] to curb air pollution and fight climate change,” she wrote on her Twitter.
The DoE chief said temperatures in rooms and halls of buildings should not exceed 21° Celsius and 18° Celsius, respectively.
Many political and cultural figures including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Head of Women and Family Affairs Department Shahindokht Molaverdi as well as Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi have so far joined the campaign.
Shina Ansari, the head of Environmental Monitoring Office at the DoE, said densely-populated cities such as Tehran and Isfahan experience temperature inversion during winter due to a combination of factors, including ‘non-standard car fuels’ and high energy consumption.
She added that the government should adopt comprehensive plans to reduce air pollution and citizens should also spare no efforts to lower their energy consumption.
“Natural gas accounts for 54 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions,” Ansari said.
She noted that gas consumption has increased by 33 percent in the current Iranian year (which started on March 21) compared to the corresponding figure of last year.
Alireza Pardakhti, a professor of Tehran University, described the campaign as a good idea and said the state offices are expected to be the first to join the campaign.
Other experts have also praised the government for launching such a campaign.
They have said such movements would help bridge the gap between the government and people.
