Climate change in Israel

Climate change in Israel refers to the effects of climate change attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide in the nation of Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection has reported that climate change "will have a decisive impact on all areas of life, including: water, public health, agriculture, energy, biodiversity, coastal infrastructure, economics, nature, national security, and geostrategy", and will have the greatest effect on vulnerable populations such as the poor, the elderly, and the chronically ill.[1]

Israel map of Köppen climate classification

Impacts

Due to substantial growth in vehicle use and emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants, the presence of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulfur Oxides (SOx) in the air near Israel's major urban centers have increased significantly between 1980 and 2002.[2][3] Nitrogen oxides doubled twice during these years, CO2 increased by 190%, and incidents of respiratory illness among children increased from 5% to 17%.[4][5] Although greenhouse gas emissions have steadily risen from 1996 to 2007, as of 2010 concentrations of Nitrogen oxides and other pollutants have decreased around major traffic sites. Additionally, falling Sulfur oxide levels have been observed and attributed to more efficient fuel use in industrial power plants.[6] However, despite the effects of technology in lowering per-capita emissions, rapid population growth and increased per-capita consumption have led to an overall decrease in air quality.[5]

Heatwaves

The Israel Meteorological Service has noted "a significant warming trend in all regions of the country".[1] Each heatwave in Israel leads to 45 deaths on average.[7] In June 2023, 300,000 people in Israel were left without electricity in the middle of a heatwave, which showed that the country is not prepared for the impacts of climate change.[8]

Rainfall

In 2020, the Ministry of Environmental Protection noted that climate change is expected to reduce rainfall, decreasing the flow of the Jordan River by 22% and imperiling the availability of fresh water for the region.[1] It also noted that at the same time, rising sea levels along the Mediterranean basin "will ultimately affect all of Israel's coasts, from Rosh Hanikra to the border of the Gaza Strip", potentially leading to saltwater infiltration of aquifer groundwater and degrading coastal cliffs, requiring "residences, hotels, heritage sites, factories, and the like to be moved".[1] Yields of certain crops are expected to be damaged, as are industries for livestock and fishing.[1]

As for the year 2023, climate change did not change the overall amount of rainfall in Israel but it did change its frequency and intensity. There are less rainy days, but the rains are more intense. Long dry periods in the winter, extreme rain events with cold weather can negatively impact agriculture and natural ecosystems.[9]

Mitigation

According to the INDS of Israel, the main mitigation targets is to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions to 8.8 tCO2e by 2025 and to 7.7 tCO2e by 2030. Total emissions should be 81.65 MtCO2e in 2030. In business as usual scenario the emissions should be 105.5 MtCO2e by 2030 or 10.0 tCO2e per capita. To reach it, the government of Israel wants to reduce the consumption of electricity by 17% relative to business as usual scenario, produce 17% of electricity from renewables and shift 20% of transportation from cars to public transport by 2030.[10]

In an effort to comply with GHG emission reductions, Israel formed a committee with the goal of evaluating the country's potential to reduce emissions by the year 2030. Their findings have confirmed that Israel's power sector generates approximately half of the country's total GHG emissions. The second largest offender is the transport sector, which produces approximately 19% of total emissions.[11]

A 2002 study by the Israeli Journal of Chemistry found that Israel's efforts to minimize the effects of chemical pollution and improve environmental quality have proven less effective than those of the EU and other countries.[12]

When the Bennett-Lapid government was created in June 2021, the agreement between the political parties who formed it, included creating binding regulations for reduce GHG emissions.[13]

In August 2021 the government adopted a target of reducing emissions by 27% by 2030 and by 85% by 2050. At the first time in the history of the country, it created a mechanism of carbon pricing.[14] The carbon tax in Israel will be introduced in the years 2023–2028 and will cover 80% of emissions. Later it will expand further. It includes special measures for preventing negative impacts on the poor. It alone should reduce emissions by 67% by the year 2050.[15]

In the same month Karine Elharrar the minister of energy stopped giving new licences for oil searching on land in Israel. According to Elharar priority will be given to renewable energy and fighting climate change. This is in contrast to her predecessor Yuval Steinitz, who preferred offshore gas drilling.[16]

In December 2021 Karine Elharrar stopped the issuing of new licences for gas searching offshore at least for one year. She said the government would focus on green energy.[17]

In 2021 Tamar Zandberg the minister of environment blocked the oil deal with UAE about increasing oil transportation from the Persian Gulf to Europe through Israel. This was made among other because of climate concerns.[18]

In March 2022 the government adopted a resolution for closing the petrochemical zone in Haifa Bay in a decade.[19] The decision is very important to fulfilling the climate pledges of Israel.[20]

In May 2022 the government approved a climate law. The main points: reduce GHG emissions by 27% by the year 2030 compared to the base year (2015), reach zero emissions by 2050, an adaptation plan, considering climate risks before approving projects, creation of advisory and controlling comities, duty of reporting information about climate risks and emissions. The advisory comity will include: "a representative of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, a representative of environmental organizations and representatives of the younger generation."[21]

International cooperation

Israel is party to several international agreements regarding air pollution and climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Montreal Protocol.[12][22] Despite having taken these steps, Israel's environment continues to suffer as a rapidly growing population and standard of living contributes to increasing Green House Gas emissions and air pollutants.[12][6][5] On 22 November 2016 Israel ratified the Paris Agreement. The country is part of three initiatives in mitigation and adaptation and 16 other action taken by non governmental actors.[23]

See also

References
  1. "Climate Change Trends and Impact in Israel". Ministry of Environmental Protection. November 2, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. Fisch, Daniel (1998). "Israel's Environmental Problems". Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics and Culture. 5.
  3. "THE LAND: Environmental Protection". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. State of Israel.
  4. Tal, Alon (2002). Pollution in a Promised Land. University of California Press.
  5. Orenstein, Daniel E. (2004). "Population Growth and Environmental Impact: Ideology and Academic Discourse in Israel". Population and Environment. 26 (1): 41–60. doi:10.1023/B:POEN.0000039952.74913.53. S2CID 144223300.
  6. Bar-Or, Yeshayahu; Matzner, Orna. "State of the Environment in Israel Indicators, Data and Trends 2010" (PDF). Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection. State of Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection Office of the Chief Scientist.
  7. STAFF, TOI (31 May 2022). "Heatwaves kill some 45 people in Israel every year, study finds". Times of Israel. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  8. SURKES, SUE (5 June 2023). "Recent heatwave's power cuts underline failure to properly prepare for climate change". Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  9. JAFFE-HOFFMAN, MAAYAN (13 April 2023). "Why is it hailing in Israel in April?". Jerusalem post. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  10. The State of Israel. "ISRAEL'S INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION (INDC)" (PDF). UNFCCC. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  11. "TARGETING CLIMATE CHANGE IN ISRAEL: TOWARD PARIS AND BEYOND" (PDF). Israel Environment Bulletin (42). January 2016.
  12. Haran, Miriam; Samuels, Rana; Gabbay, Shoshana; Mingelgrin, Uri (1 November 2002). "Quality indicators of the state of chemical pollution in israel". Israel Journal of Chemistry. 42 (1): 119–132. doi:10.1560/QU9Q-XGF9-HUM6-DA61. ISSN 1869-5868.
  13. "These are the deals signed by the parties in the Bennett-Lapid coalition". Haaretz.
  14. "Government steps up efforts to tackle climate crisis: Israel to introduce carbon pricing for the first time". Gov.il. Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  15. SURKES, SUE (2 August 2022). "Israel to impose carbon tax, starting with fossil fuels". Times of Israel. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  16. SURKES, SUE (31 August 2022). "Israel to issue no further permits for terrestrial oil exploration". Times of Israel. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  17. "Israel to halt natural gas search, focus on renewable energy - Energy Minister". Jerusalem post. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  18. "Israel's environment ministry blocks oil pipeline deal with UAE". Reuters. Jerusalem post. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  19. "The government unanimously approved the decision to stop petrochemical activity in the Haifa Bay and promote a plan for infrastructure development and economic growth engines in the Gulf". Gov.il. Ministry of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  20. Rinat, Zafrir (6 March 2022). "With No Set Plan, Israel to Shut Down Polluting Oil Refineries in Haifa". Haaretz. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  21. "Making history, the government approves the climate law; Minister Tamar Zandberg brought to the approval of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation the Israeli Climate Law after collaborative work with the relevant government ministries". Gov.il. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  22. "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. 12 July 2023.
  23. "Israel". Nazca. United Nations. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
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