New Israeli Law Seeks to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission by 85% Until 2050

By: Aryeh Savir

Israel is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote preparations for climate change, in accordance with its international commitment under the Climate Convention, and in light of the growing vitality in dealing with the climate crisis.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection introduced on Monday a comprehensive law that leads to energy efficiency, expands the use of renewable energies, prepares for climate change damage, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel published for the first time a comprehensive climate law, which includes setting national goals and establishing an independent expert committee to accompany government reporting on the issue.

The purpose of the law is to create a comprehensive framework for the State of Israel’s response to the climate crisis while emphasizing the two main aspects of the required response at the national level, the prevention and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting preparedness for the effects of the climate crisis and the damage.

The new law sets a national target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, according to which greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by at least 27% relative to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions measured in 2015, and by 2050 greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by at least 85% compared to 2015.

In the coming days, the Ministry of Environmental Protection will publish the draft Climate Law for public comments and government partners. The comments will be considered during the drafting of the bill, and later on it will have to get the approval of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, before it is put on the Knesset table for discussion and voting.

Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel noted Monday that “the climate crisis and the damage that results from it are an undisputed fact today among experts and scientists.”

“The Israeli Climate Law, which anchors national goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deals with the adaptation required for climate change, the effects resulting from it, and its damage. Today we are protecting the public, its health, and well-being from the consequences of the climate crisis,” she stated.

(TPS)