Gholamreza Memarzadeh Tehran *1 
, Ardeshir Mazkouri2 , Morteza Mousakhani2 , Zahra Moghimi2 , Yadollah Saboohi3
, Ardeshir Mazkouri2 , Morteza Mousakhani2 , Zahra Moghimi2 , Yadollah Saboohi3
1- Islamic Azad University , memarzadeh@iau.ir
2- Islamic Azad University
3- Sharif University of Technology
2- Islamic Azad University
3- Sharif University of Technology
Abstract: (10 Views)
Purpose: The primary objective of this article is to revisit the laws and institutions governing operational energy management in Iran to identify the underlying causes of the country's failure to achieve a desirable status in sustainable development.
Methodology: A qualitative and documentary approach is employed to examine the state of policymaking in Iran by analyzing energy-related laws to understand the gap between existing policies and sustainable development goals. Based on the theoretical framework of the Hill and Hope matrix, the implementation of these policies is assessed under the concept of energy operational governance.
Findings: The findings indicate that attention to sustainable development indicators in policymaking has existed to some extent in the country over past years. However, the main challenge preventing the achievement of desirable outcomes in the energy sector relates to the implementation of policies, or operational governance of energy. The results show that in the production sector, the government has adopted an operational governance approach by enhancing the role of the private sector; nevertheless, in other areas, the influence of civil society and the private sector has remained very limited. Furthermore, the findings reveal that Iran’s gap from sustainable development indicators stems from a resource-oriented approach in the implementation of laws and policies. This has led to an unbalanced advancement of indicators, resulting not only in the failure to achieve sustainable development goals but also in the emergence of new problems.
Methodology: A qualitative and documentary approach is employed to examine the state of policymaking in Iran by analyzing energy-related laws to understand the gap between existing policies and sustainable development goals. Based on the theoretical framework of the Hill and Hope matrix, the implementation of these policies is assessed under the concept of energy operational governance.
Findings: The findings indicate that attention to sustainable development indicators in policymaking has existed to some extent in the country over past years. However, the main challenge preventing the achievement of desirable outcomes in the energy sector relates to the implementation of policies, or operational governance of energy. The results show that in the production sector, the government has adopted an operational governance approach by enhancing the role of the private sector; nevertheless, in other areas, the influence of civil society and the private sector has remained very limited. Furthermore, the findings reveal that Iran’s gap from sustainable development indicators stems from a resource-oriented approach in the implementation of laws and policies. This has led to an unbalanced advancement of indicators, resulting not only in the failure to achieve sustainable development goals but also in the emergence of new problems.
Keywords: Sustainable Development, Energy Operational Governance, Policy-making, policy implementation, Institutions, Iran's Energy Industry
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Public Administration Approches
Received: Mar 12 2025 | Accepted: May 24 2025
Received: Mar 12 2025 | Accepted: May 24 2025
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