Based on its rich experience in developing cutting-edge technologies in such fields as water management, recycling and reuse of treated wastewater, desert agriculture and afforestation, the challenges presented by climate change may well serve as a lever to position Israel as a regional and global center of knowledge on adaptation to climate change. Dr. Yeshayahu Bar-Or, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, strongly believes that "in about 20 years, Europe will experience some of the conditions that Israel faces today. Therefore, Israel has a great deal to offer to the international community in terms of technologies for effluent irrigation, combating desertification, agriculture and forestation in desert conditions and salinity reduction."
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an especially difficult challenge in Israel, a country undergoing economic growth against a backdrop of continuous increases in both population and energy consumption. Yet Israel is determined to address the difficulties. Current efforts are concentrating on assessing greenhouse gas emissions under different scenarios while identifying the steps necessary to reduce these emissions in an economically viable manner. Among the measures which have already been proposed are energy savings, both in buildings and in street lighting, by means of energy efficient light bulbs. Also on the agenda are energy conservation, energy efficiency in power plants, industrial plants and residential buildings, clean public transport and more.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection is advancing an integrated policy aimed at reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants. Two parallel developments are helping to meet these objectives: the accession process to the OECD, which is already catalyzing Israel to adopt environmental policies and meet environmental standards that are effective and economically efficient.
The emphasis of Israel's climate change mitigation plan and adaptation plan will be on reducing economic, social and ecological damages, on the one hand, and exploiting opportunities by developing innovative technologies and exporting expertise, on the other hand. After 2012, Israel may well be subject to formal commitments for greenhouse gas reductions, but hopefully, it will also have much to contribute to the world community in terms of technology to meet the challenges of climate change.
Anticipated impacts of climate change in Israel
› Water: Reduction of at least 25% in water availability by the end of the 21st century.
› Coasts and seas: A 10 cm rise in sea level may lead to coastline retreat of 2-10 meters and to the loss of 0.4-2 square kilometers of coast every 10 years.
› Public health: Increase in mosquito populations and their distribution may increase the risk of disease.
› Agriculture: Damage to crops due to decrease in water availability and 20% increase in water demand and due to pests better suited to warmer climate. Some crops may benefit from increased CO2 levels.
› Biodiversity: Migration of Mediterranean species northward and their replacement by desert ecosystems from the Negev. However, most Mediterranean species seem to be resilient to the forecasted changes, so that the Israeli landscape is expected to remain relatively stable. A sharp decrease in precipitates in the south has caused extensive changes in land cover and underlying biota, creating runoff and soil erosion.
› Energy: Average long-term increase in electricity demand in the order of 3.2% per year due to increased demand for air conditioning and cooling.
What's been done to tackle climate change in Israel?
› Israel ratified the Climate Change Convention in 1996 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2004.
› The Ministry of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the Central Bureau of Statistics publishes its greenhouse gas emissions inventory on an annual basis.
› In 1998, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the S. Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology, prepared an initial study on options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in Israel, based on conditions in 1996.
› In 2004, a Designated National Authority for authorizing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in Israel was established and, to date, 46 projects have been submitted for approval, of which 16 are registered with the United Nations.
› In 2005, Israel Standard 5281 for buildings with reduced environmental impact (green buildings) was published by the Standards Institution of Israel.
› In 2007-2008, the Ministry of Environmental Protection commissioned updated studies on options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in Israel, consisting of forecasts for greenhouse gas emissions by sectors and options for mitigation for each scenario, accompanied by cost benefit analyses to the national economy.
› In 2007, a landfill levy came into effect in Israel. According to the law, the fees collected are deposited and managed in a separate fund and are used for the development and promotion of alternatives to landfilling which are less harmful to the environment.
› In 2007, the Ministry of Environmental Protection initiated the preparation of an adaptation assessment, whose first phase was completed in 2008.
› In 2008-2009, several regulations and standards on energy efficiency and energy labeling of electrical appliances were published, in addition to regulations and standards published in previous years.
› In 2009, a draft protocol of guidelines for the establishment of a voluntary mechanism for greenhouse gas emissions registry and reporting in Israel was prepared, with expectations that a pilot registry will be launched in 2010.
› In September 2009, the Ministry of Environmental Protection commissioned a study from McKinsey and Company for the preparation of a carbon abatement cost curve for Israel that quantifies reduction measures across sectors.
› In 2009, Israel began preparing its Second National Communication on Climate Change in Israel to be submitted to the UN.
› In 2009, a major energy conservation campaign was inaugurated by the Ministry of National Infrastructures, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Israel Electricity Corporation to raise awareness of energy efficiency among the general public.
› In 2009-2010, educational programs on energy efficiency targeted at kindergarten, elementary school and junior high school have and will be incorporated into the formal educational system.
› In 2009, an energy management standard, ISO 50001, was distributed for public comment with the expectation that pilot programs in a number of companies will begin in 2010.
Energy-related government decisions
› January 13, 2008: Approval of a government proposal on the promotion of clean energy use by means of green taxes. As of August 2009, purchase tax rates on vehicles are linked to the emission rates of five pollutants: carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, particulates and carbon dioxide.
› August 21, 2008: Approval of a government proposal on the promotion of research, technology development and energy production in the field of renewable energy. The goals of the new plan, slated for implementation in 2008-2012, are to increase renewable energy sales and increase research and development investments in the field. One proposal calls for establishing a research and development center for renewable energy technologies in the Negev over a five year investment period.
› September 18, 2008: Approval of a government proposal on energy efficiency, which aims to bring about 20% savings in anticipated electricity consumption by 2020. The program relates to energy efficiency as a means of tackling climate change. Among the proposed measures: energy savings in the home and in government structures, green building, higher energy efficiency standards for electrical appliances, information programs on wise use of electricity and establishment of an energy efficiency fund.
› January 29, 2009: Approval of a government proposal on establishing targets and formulating tools for the promotion of renewable energy, especially in the Negev and Arava arid regions. The decision calls for generating 10% of Israel's electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with 5% by 2014, and for identifying and allocating lands in the Negev and Arava for the construction of power plants from renewable energies.