Israel tipped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050

While this is an unprecedented decision for Israel, the goals are low compared to other Western countries; Israel freezes UAE oil pipeline deal over environment concerns

THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT is expected to approve on Sunday a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy, in a major push compared to the action taken thus far by Israel to address the climate crisis.

According to a Friday announcement by Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg and relevant government offices, Israel will undertake to reduce 27 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 – all relative to emissions measured in 2015.

Israel was obligated to declare its reduction goals by 2020 under the Paris Climate Accords, but failed to do so due to opposition from various government ministries, in particular the treasury and energy ministry, to many of the plan’s provisions.

The UN plan’s secretariat made it clear that should the goals not be presented by the end of July, Israel would find itself removed from the international report to be presented at the UN General Assembly in November. Senior sources in Israel have told Haaretz that this would be a major diplomatic embarrassment, with Israel and Turkey alone among OECD countries failing to produce their goals so far.

FULL STORY Israel expected to commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050 (Haaretz)

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Photo: A power plant in Ashkelon last year (Ilan Assayag)