Israel at the Paris Climate Conference
The Israeli delegation numbers 70 members, headed by PM Netanyahu. At a side event organized by the Israel Foreign Ministry, eight Israeli companies will present their innovative technologies of renewable energy and climate change mitigation.
(Communicated by Ministry of Environmental Protection)
21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeThe 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is being held in Paris from November 30 – December 11, 2015.
The basis of the Convention is the global concern over the gradual warming of the Earth. While Israel is a relatively small contributor to climate change due to its size and population, it is highly sensitive to the potential impacts of the phenomenon, due to its location. Effects may be felt in all aspects of life, including: water, public health, agriculture, energy, biodiversity, coastal infrastructure, natural disasters, national security, and more.
A new, binding agreement on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, applicable to all countries, is expected to be adopted at the conference. Israel has committed to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions to 7.7 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) by 2030. This constitutes a reduction of 26% below the 2005 GHG emissions level. These reductions will come from sectors such as: electricity, industry, transportation, residential and commercial buildings, waste, and agriculture.
The Israel delegation to Paris, numbering about 70 members, includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Environmental Protection Minister Avi Gabbay and Director General Yisrael Dancziger, Members of Knesset, government officials, members of environmental NGOs, industry representatives, and more. Prime Minister Netanyahu will deliver an address on the opening day of the conference.
Three side events are being organized by members of the Israeli delegation:
- The use of alternative refrigerants, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, organized by the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection in partnership with its counterpart in Bavaria, Germany
- Deforestation, organized by theJewish National Fund
- Renewable energies, organized by the Israel Foreign Ministry
Israeli innovation in response to climate change
At the MFA events, to be held at the Grand Palais on Sunday, 6 December 2015, and at La Galerie – Le Bourget on Monday, 7 December 2015, eight Israeli companies will present their innovative technologies of renewable energy and climate change mitigation:
Opening remarks will be made by Ron Adam, Special envoy for energy and Permanent Representative of Israel to IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and by Eitan Parnass, Director General and Founder of the Green Energy Association of Israel(GEA-IL), established in 2009 to promote the implementation of renewable energy electricity production in Israel. Its main activities are lobbying and promoting implementation of renewable energy by the various government ministries and authorities in Israel. |
