Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke at this week's climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Ahead of the conference, the government pledged to reduce carbon emissions to zero.
GPO
The Prime Minister said in his speech: “As we gather here today in Glasgow, we know that history will judge our generation’s response to this threat - not by our degree of ambition, but by the practical steps we take.
Israel is at the beginning of a revolution in climate change.
We have recently started implementing our '100-step plan', which means that we are now doing more to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions than at any other time in our country's history.
"" For the first time, Israel is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 0 by 2050. And we will gradually stop using coal by 2025.
Yes, we are making progress.
But, let's face it - Israel is a small country.
We make up less than a third of Scotland's size.
Our carbon footprint may be small, but our impact on climate change can be enormous.
Lower emissions.
Refineries, Photo: Michelle Dot Com
If we are to truly make an impact, we must move the needle, to contribute to Israel's most precious source of energy: the energy and minds of our people.
This is what feeds our innovation and ingenuity, this is where Israel can make a real difference.
Israel may be 60% desert, but we managed to make it flourish.
We may be in one of the driest places on earth, but we have managed to become the number one country in the world in the field of water innovation.
As the country with the most start-ups per capita in the world, we must channel our efforts to save our world.
For this we will need new inventions and new technologies, which we have not yet imagined.
Bennett and Johnson at the Climate Conference, Photo: EP
"This is why I say to our entrepreneurs and innovators: You can be what makes the change (the 'Game Changer'). You can help save our planet. Instead of building another impressive app, you can launch start-ups to help solve the threat of this world.
the change in national direction of our past climate solutions can be achieved only with the ecosystems appropriate - which is why I have established a task force called "sandbox Green" to channel money to help them and ensure through which it is clean with holes bureaucracy.
As we work to ensure the safety of "People today, we will also work for the resilience of tomorrow; then our children will breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water and live in a world that treats the earth better than us. Israel is the 'climate innovation nation' and we are ready to lead the way."
U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged in his speech to invest more in green energy. Carbon emissions by 25% by 2030. Our commitment to the climate crisis is in deeds, not in words.
In the coming days we will announce new green energy initiatives.
We are preparing for a short race to reduce carbon pollution by 2030, and for a marathon at the end of which we will reduce pollution to zero in 2050. "
President Hayden speaks in Glasgow, Photo: AP
In addition to the conference discussions, Bennett is holding meetings with the heads of state participating in the conference, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
With both of them this is Bennett's first meeting since taking office.
Meanwhile, a diplomat said the prime minister addressed the NSO issue in his meeting with President Macron. It was agreed between the leaders that the issue would continue to be handled discreetly and professionally, and in a spirit of transparency between the parties.
In a meeting with Morrison, in which Minister of Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg, National Security Chief of Staff Dr. Eyal Hulta and Political Adviser Shimrit Meir also took part, Morrison and Bennett discussed security issues, including the Iranian threat. The meeting of the Board of Governors (BOG) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is due to take place later this month.
Bennett also asked Morrison for Australia to officially define Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
Bennett thanked his Australian counterpart for the support his country gives Israel in the international arena.
"We see you as a great friend and supporter, and see Australia as a great company," he told Morrison at the start of their meeting.
Amit Bracha, CEO of Adam Teva VeDin, said in reference to Bennett's words: "Prime Minister Bennett's commitment to Israel's carbon recovery by 2050 should be welcomed, as well as his remarks on Israel's technological advantage in dealing with the climate crisis.
However, statements alone are not enough.
For the realization of the Prime Minister must commit to the world and the residents of Israel to pass an advanced climate law in the coming months.
A law that will oblige the current government and future governments to implement and budget carbon reduction and real preparedness for climate damage.
To talk about leading entrepreneurs without giving financial incentives in binding legislation, such as green taxation, and on the other hand, to allow the continuation of polluting industries such as gas and oil exploration, as happens in practice, is to speak in two opposing voices. "
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Bennett met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
"The responsibility for the situation lies with all the countries of the world, we also join in and welcome the opportunity to act. This move is important for the economy, important for the world and especially important for Israel, which is in the warmest region in the world," Bennett tweeted after the meeting.
Participated in the preparation of the article: Dan Lavie
