The government is expected to approve a plan that will significantly lower the use of carbon by 2050 as part of a plan to battle the climate crisis that poses a global threat.
The decision was made by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Energy Minister Karin Elharrar, Public Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli, Economy Minister Orna Barbivay and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked. Their goal is to lessen the emission of greenhouse gases by 85% by 2050, with a 27% checkpoint in 2030.
The plan sets goals for the first time in Israel to cut down on greenhouse gases and is a national strategy to a clean, efficient and competitive economy, which will place Israel among the leading countries in the fight against climate change.
The historical decision will be put forth for the government’s approval on Sunday.
The plan is an actualization of Israel’s international obligations according to the Paris Accords, and the government will examine the progress periodically to make sure that they stay on track.
Israel joins the US, the European Union, Canada, Japan and China who have decided on a vision and a strategy for a minimal carbon economy.
IN ORDER to reach the 2030 goal, the plan has set a number of goals:
A. Lessening the emission of greenhouse gases that come from solid waste by at least 47% and lessening the amount of municipal landfill by 71%.
B. Restricting greenhouse gas emission from new cars. Starting in 2026, every new bus that is purchased is expected to be environmentally friendly.
C. Lowering the amount of greenhouse gas emission from electricity by 30%.
D. Lessening industrial greenhouse gas emission by 30%.
E. Energy-free construction at a rate of at least 50% of all new commercial buildings and 100% of all public buildings, government offices and residential buildings of up to 5 floors.
This plan is in coordination with the government, the Israel Democracy Institute, representatives from the industries, the business-commercial sector, academia, experts and advisers from around the world and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
“This is a historical moment for the health and the environment of people today and future generations,” said Zandberg. “Actualization of the strategy will allow for major savings in resource usage and a near-complete end to pollution.”