The dramatic impact of the fossil fuel based economy on the climate crisis, the destruction of biodiversity and the continued deterioration of the natural environment are already well known today and the pressure to change the economy to save the climate and the environment is increasing
Climate and economy are two issues that in the reality of our lives are so closely related to each other that it is impossible to separate them. The dramatic impact of the fossil fuel-based economy on the climate crisis, the destruction of biodiversity and the continued deterioration of the natural environment are already well known today and the pressure to change the economy to save the climate and the environment is increasing. for example, Biodiversity summit, in which President Reuven Rivlin represented Israel, marks the change of consciousness in this regard among many countries in the world, which was also expressed in a statement by about 80 countries Stop the deterioration of biodiversity, which Israel joined. The voices calling for changes are growing.
A key step on the way to the required change is reaching a balance between the rate of emission of greenhouse gases and the rate of their removal from the atmosphere. Paris agreement to deal with climate change, which Israel signed and which it ratified, stated that humanity must avoid crossing a warming of 2 degrees Celsius, and if possible, not crossing a warming of XNUMX degrees either. these limits were determined on a scientific basis that shows that crossing them will result in heavy and irreversible damage, persistent and powerful to the global climate system. We will emphasize that we are very close to crossing the limit of 1.2 degrees Celsius and the global temperature has already increased by one degree and maybe even by XNUMX degrees in some of the last years.
Low or zero?
Israel is also required to do its part, like every other country in the world, in the global effort to reduce emissions and reach a state of zero emissions balance in 2050. But in Israel things happen slowly. too slow for example, At best, we talk in government offices About "A low-carbon economy" – that is, an economy that will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This is very different from the global trend of transitioning to an economy that "reset emissions" - That is, an economy that has dramatically reduced its greenhouse gas emissions and knows how to remove the rest from the air, for example by planting trees and restoring natural systems.
Be that as it may, Israel is still light years away from even reaching a low-carbon economy, mainly because of its continued reliance on gas for energy production. Unfortunately, this fact is expected to have a negative impact not only on the climate, but also on the local economy, this is because the world is marching steadily and quickly to wean itself off fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and switch to renewable energies. In such a situation, there is a real risk, and some would even say it is certain, that the infrastructures and projects based on fossil fuels will turn into useless white elephants within a few years.
Stop projects based on fossil fuels in Israel
Moreover, continuing to hold on to ideas of this type and developing energy projects based on fossil fuels may endanger Israel and exact heavy economic and political costs from us in the future: in the face of the climate crisis, the countries of the world will have no choice but to change direction in order to save themselves. The pressure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases will greatly increase and will manifest itself in political pressures and a painful economic foreign trade policy. Polite diplomatic requests to align with the global effort to save the planet will be maneuvered in the coming years to massive political pressure. This will be accompanied by strict economic measures such as the imposition of a carbon tax on products and goods for major export markets in the world.
Thus, for example, the European Union, Israel's largest and most important trade partner, already declares his intention for an assertive foreign policy in this area openly. More countries in the world are expected to join this trend and impose severe economic sanctions on those who do not meet the strict standards of protecting the Earth's climate. Today there is a growing list of dozens of Countries that have announced their intention to reach a state of balanced emissions in the future neutral. Among them are economic giants such as Germany, France and Great Britain, and countries from Latin America and Asia. China also recently announced a similar intention until 2060. This is a historic announcement, no less than that, since China in addition to being a huge economy is also the largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world today.
It is important that we understand: this is not a passing craze, but a significant trend in international relations, which we are joining States and large cities, large corporations such as the food giant Nestlé, the Australian airline Qantas, IKEA, which pledged to reach this goal in 2030 And even oil companies like the energy giant TOTAL. All of these important players in the global economic arena understand that the age of fossil fuels is over and that it is only a matter of time until the process is complete. This will also be evidenced by the meteoric rise in the shares of the renewable energy companies and the dramatic decline in the value of the shares of the old energy companies. The market is already speaking its mind. Do the decision makers in Israel listen to him?
As of today, already about 53 percent of the total global economy is on the road Realize a zero emissions economy until 2050 when some countries have even set an accelerated and more ambitious schedule: Bhutan and Suriname already meet the goal, Norway in 2030 and Sweden in 2045.
It is very important that we recognize this global trend in Israel as well and that we prepare for it by making a strategic decision to transition to a zero-emissions economy by 2050 and, if possible, even before then. Only this action will prevent significant economic shocks in the future, considerable damage to the economy and political pressures. Israel must not miss this train.
The writer is an ambassador and special envoy for climate change and sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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