 |
Updated: 7/12/2009
Based on Central Bureau of Statistics data, Israel emitted more than 76 million tons of greenhouse gases per year (CO2 equivalent) in 2007, a rise of 20% since 1996. In contrast to many developed countries, whose greenhouse gas emissions are on the decrease, Israel's emissions are expected to continue to increase under a "business as usual" scenario, largely due to an increase in its population (mostly due to immigration) and rise in standard of living. Clearly, the challenge lies in stabilizing emissions and reversing the trend. Fuel combustion accounts for about 76% of Israel's greenhouse gas emissions, of which some 56% originates in electricity and energy production (some 42 million tons) and another 20% in vehicular emissions. Carbon dioxide is the main component of greenhouse gas emissions in Israel (some 87%), followed by methane which is largely emitted by landfills and nitrous oxide from agriculture and industry. In order to quantify Israel's mitigation potential, the Ministry of Environmental Protection commissioned a study on options for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. An interdisciplinary committee of experts, made up of representatives of government ministries (Environmental Protection, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Transport, Industry, Trade and Labor, Finance and Foreign Affairs), the Manufacturers' Association of Israel, Public Utility Authority - Electricity, Israel Union for Environmental Defense and Israel Electricity Corporation, accompanied the preparation of the study. Following are the major components of the study: - Preparation of a forecast of greenhouse gas emissions by sector for every year until 2025, in accordance with methodologies published by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC).
- Review and analysis of scenarios and alternatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions accompanied by cost benefit calculations for each.
- Survey of the emissions reduction commitments of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol in the post-Kyoto era.
- National policy recommendations on practical steps for emissions reductions.
The forecast points to further increases in greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2025, under a business as usual scenario, in comparison to the year 2000. To confront the problem, cost-benefit analyses of different scenarios are now being prepared and measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are being identified. In parallel, the Ministry of Environmental Protection commissioned a study from McKinsey and Company for the preparation of a carbon abatement cost curve for Israel that quantifies a range of measures across sectors. The quantification, which was concluded in November 2009, includes two elements - quantity of carbon abated and cost of abatement per lever. The results of the studies are helping to: Determine potential greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.Prepare for international negotiations within the framework of the post-Kyoto agreements.Prepare a government action plan which specifies measures for implementing a climate change program in Israel. Among the measures which have already been proposed are energy savings, both in buildings and in street lighting, promotion of public transport, energy conservation, renewable energy, energy efficiency in industrial plants and more. Government Decision on Preparation of a Climate Change Plan Within the framework of a government decision on the preparation of a climate change action plan in Israel, working groups on mitigation were appointed in the summer of 2009 to prepare scenarios and means for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in different fields (e.g., energy, transport, agriculture, planning and building, etc.). The working groups will recommend national targets for potential greenhouse gas emissions reduction based on Israeli studies and the negotiations for a global agreement (post 2012).
Files For Download:
 | | | 510K | |  |
|
| | | | 2212K | | |
|
|
|
