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For ministers, it is not burning: Israel is one of the few in the West without a proper plan for the climate crisis

2020 will also be remembered as a catastrophe due to being the hottest year ever measured.

The world is on fire and the environmental, social and economic dangers are threatening our future - but the government is delaying the formulation of a plan to switch to green energies and reduce pollution, as OECD countries have done, due to political disputes

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• climate

• The environment

• Ministry of the Environment

• Air Pollution

Noa Steiner

Saturday, January 16, 2021, 5:16 p.m.

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In the video: Extreme weather around the world in 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

"Israel is committed to a full transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2050," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said solemnly and officially in front of the camera at last month's climate conference.

In addition, the Prime Minister said that Israel will reach more than 33% renewable energy by 2030.

Statements aside and reality aside.

Netanyahu's remarks have not yet been backed by a government decision, and the updated targets for renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions have not been submitted to the climate agreement as required by the end of 2020. Regarding the energy economy by 2030, a government decision two months ago approved the Ministry of Energy's proposal % And also included complementary policy measures.

However, the proposed resolution did not necessarily present new targets for reducing and resetting emissions or a long-term vision for the energy economy by 2050.

In the new proposal to the government formulated by the Minister of Environmental Protection, Gamliel revealed under the heading "Beyond a Carbon-Low Economy," new goals were set for Israel's compliance with the Paris Agreements.

According to the draft proposal, Israel will strive for an almost full transition to renewable energy, and cut carbon emissions, by 2050. As an intermediate target, more than a third of the energy economy mix will be from renewable energy by 2030. In addition, a mechanism will be formulated in Israel for the first time. Establish a schedule to prepare a detailed government plan for achieving the goals.

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The hottest year ever measured.

California fire last September (Photo: AP)

Gamliel sent a letter to Netanyahu last month calling for support for the decision-makers' proposal formulated by her office after leading a multi-sectoral public participation process.

In response to the letter, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz also sent a letter addressed to Netanyahu in which he personally criticized the minister and expressed contempt for the procedure through which the decision-makers' proposal was advanced.

However, he argued that to his understanding "there are no huge gaps or major disputes between the ministries".

Details of the decision-makers are still under discussion between the various ministries.

Among the non-agreed resolution clauses are still a clause on creating a procedure for examining the impact of future government plans and decisions on meeting emission reduction targets, as well as disagreement over the proposed renewable energy target.

The Ministry of Energy wants to keep the constant at 30% renewable energies in the next decade in accordance with an October government decision on the matter, while the Ministry of Environmental Protection claims that the target can be raised to 40%.

Another item that has not yet been agreed upon is the target of 95% renewable energy by 2050 and an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the economy.

The Ministry of Energy is interested in a 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the economy and a 85% -75% reduction in the electricity sector by 2050.

Meanwhile, the world is on fire

Until the ministers reach agreements, the world is on fire.

The past year has been the warmest measured, alongside 2016. Moreover, since temperature measurements began, eight of the ten warmest years measured on Earth have occurred over the past decade.

Following the extreme data, 2020 will be sadly remembered, among other things with huge fires in California and warming of more than six degrees in parts of the Arctic Circle and Siberia.

In this area, 38 degrees Celsius was measured last June - an unprecedented heat wave in the area.

Rise of more than six degrees.

An ice-covered river in Siberia (Photo: Reuters)

These phenomena not only threaten nature lovers, but actually endanger each and every one of us.

"The direct and most relevant climate impacts to the region are a consistent rise in temperatures, water shortages, rising sea levels and an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which are correlated with the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, Ebola and affinity." For the year 2021-2020 ", published by the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University this month.

According to the institute's estimates, global warming will lead to social and security consequences that are difficult to overstate.

Waves of refugees may flood Europe and knock on Israel's borders as well.

At present, the issue is not yet integrated into the concept of national security, and accordingly is not properly considered and budgeted, although according to the strategic assessment, "the issue of climate change should be an integral part of the national security-discourse in the country."

Far behind

Despite the corona crisis, many countries have pledged towards the end of 2020 to step up their efforts to operate as a unified international community to meet the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a low-carbon economy.

For example, the United Kingdom and the European Union have submitted more ambitious targets to the climate treaty and updated plans under the Paris Agreement before the end of last year.

Elected U.S. President Joe Biden, who brings with him winds of change compared to his predecessor in office, announced the plan that will become an official commitment next week, which includes targets for a full transition to renewable energy by 2035 and a $ 2 trillion investment to reset greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU has also pledged to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 and allocate 37% of the economic aid budget after the Corona crisis to climate issues and nature conservation projects in the amount of 265 billion euros.

Australia has adopted its own ambitious plan.

This means that Israel has become one of the few countries in the OECD, alongside Turkey, which has not yet formulated a long-term climate plan and goals that match the magnitude and urgency of the climate crisis.

More on Walla!

NEWS

The majority of the Israeli public believes that humanity is in danger due to climate change

To the full article

Difficulties in reaching agreements between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy.

Gamliel (Photo: Reuven Castro)

As a result, more than a hundred climate scientists have appealed to ministers to immediately approve the government's decision to move to a low-carbon economy as a first and necessary step on the way to preparing the economy for the climate crisis.

A letter sent to Netanyahu and his deputy prime minister, Bnei Gantz, reads: "An informed, moral and determined response to the climate crisis cannot be delayed."

According to them, any delay in the decision "not only harms its economic and environmental interest, but also endangers Israel's status as a developed and progressive state."

The Ministry of Environmental Protection's proposal also received full backing and unprecedented support from more than 40 environmental organizations in Israel.

To read the full document

Manufacturers oppose, in high-tech want to join the revolution

The president of the Manufacturers 'Association, Dr. Ron Tomer, turned to Netanyahu and expressed opposition to advancing the decision-makers' proposal. "To reduce greenhouse gas emissions that take place in front of government ministries, before any government decision is made on the matter, and all in order to preserve the Israeli economy and economy," Dr. Tomer wrote.

The environmental organizations reject the claim of the Manufacturers' Association and say that this is a sham.

"It is puzzling to me that after a consultation that lasted about two years in which the representatives of the manufacturers were partners, they now want to go back and consult. National processes should be final," says Yoni Sapir, chairman of the Housekeepers Association and founder of the Clean Energy Forum. "Furthermore, it is unfortunate that manufacturers do not see that the interest in reducing emissions is first and foremost theirs, in light of global trends, so that exporters can continue to compete in target markets without being taxed, which will fatally hurt their competitiveness."

More than a hundred countries have announced targets for 2050.

Greenpeace ship in the Arctic Ocean (Photo: Reuters)

Dr. Liad Orter of the Institute for Corporate Responsibility called on representatives of the private sector to express support for Israel's transition to a low-carbon economy. "We are aware that the transition to a low-carbon economy is a challenge for industry in the world and in Israel, but it is clear with clear EU policies. Seeing very soon also in the United States under the administration of incoming president Joe Biden, "he explained in a conversation with Walla! NEWS.

Orter emphasized his position that Israeli industry should lead the impending environmental revolution, harness Israeli innovation for that too - and by the way make profits "More than anything else, there's a huge business opportunity here for the industrial economy and it's enough to see what's going on with the renewable energy companies, the alternative protein and energy storage to understand where tomorrow's markets are," added

Lee Schutz Gavish, leader of the more green "high-tech" community Out of 500 companies, she said in a conversation with Walla! NEWS that the issue has entered the agenda of many of the workers in the sector. "High-tech workers are interested in working in companies that show activity in the field and are beginning to find solutions to deal with the climate crisis.

If we harness the best minds and technological innovation, guidance and knowledge of environmental organizations, as well as the ability of industry in Israel to turn it all into a new economic reality, we will be in a better place in a few years. "Some of the CEOs of the" Green in High-Tech "community Enlisted in the Institute for Corporate Responsibility's call and signed a letter of support for the decision - makers' proposal to move to a low - carbon economy.

The financial sector in Israel is also beginning to understand the severity of the climate crisis.

For example, Migdal Investment Company announced last week that it would "strive to complete the process of diverting its investments from fossil fuel companies by 2030."

The company has already taken the first step and sold its investments in drilling fuel.

The poignant report - and the demand that follows

It is important to remember - more than 100 countries have already announced targets for resetting emissions by 2050. While in Israel, the formula of the decision - makers' proposal - which has not yet been approved - is not as ambitious as in the rest of the world.

The decision sets targets for reducing rather than resetting emissions, and is not backed by a dedicated budget or manpower standards for its implementation.

In addition, the State Comptroller recently issued a poignant report stating that Israel does not meet the more modest targets of reducing emissions and renewable energy that Israel has already committed to during its signing of the Paris Agreement, and presented a series of actions to be taken to ensure targets are met.

Call for immediate steps for change.

Demonstration at the entrance to the Bazan (Photo: official website, without)

There is great importance not only in reducing emissions, but also in preparing for the consequences of the climate crisis that is already upon us.

A report by the Ministry of Health and the Health and Environment Foundation published last month revealed, among other things, a variety of threats to human health that can result from climate change, including morbidity due to heat stress, exacerbation of chronic diseases, impaired food security and the spread of infectious diseases.

"Although the national plan for preparing for climate change has been approved by the government, it has not yet been budgeted, and therefore the resources available to government ministries for its promotion are limited, both in terms of manpower and budget."

The State Comptroller has also issued a poignant report stating that Israel is not meeting the goals it has committed to under the Climate Convention.

In the shadow of these reports, another public letter was recently published, signed by about 500 leading climate and environmental scientists in Israel, who called on the government to take immediate action on climate change and recommended the establishment of a joint independent scientific committee for all Israeli research institutions.

Among other things, they demand that the government implement the commitments of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, establish a mechanism for controlling and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, promote urgent preparedness for climate change effects at the national and local levels and promote local production and use of renewable energy in Israel.

The fiery potato awaits the urgent care of the government.

Ministry of Energy: We have set ambitious goals while maintaining the required balance

The Ministry of Energy stated in response that "in the past year, the ministry has led an in-depth process on setting ambitious targets for reducing energy economy emissions by 2050. "As mentioned, after in-depth discussions, it faithfully reflects the balance required in reducing energy emissions along with maintaining economic reliability, sustainable economy planning, energy security and establishing a cheap and fair energy economy while combining new technologies in the economy and other developments."

"Regarding the decision-makers' proposal, we believe that it should address the goals of the Israeli economy and set relevant sectoral goals for 2050, subject to goals set by the work teams and not in isolation from them," the ministry added.

It was also stated that "Minister Gamliel published the main points of the resolution on her ministry's website, where she emphasized: 'The State of Israel is implementing its international commitments in the global fight against climate change and outlines the path to economic development in the coming decades. I believe all government bodies will join the effort. "Despite the challenges of the period. The climate crisis is above all, there should be a consensus on it."

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