Gil Ya’acov: Beyond Copenhagen

Edited by Avidan Waldman

Dear Friends,

I recently returned from the eventful United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Although it seems that the conference was an overall failure on the global level, the Israeli government has made some unprecedented strides. In fact, while actual targets were never declared up till now, President Shimon Peres declared to the world that Israel’s targets are to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to ‘business as usual’ levels. I have to admit that these promises are miniscule in relation to the required goal of 20% below 2000 levels, yet we take solace in the fact that this is an improvement relative to the government ignoring the issue of climate change until now.

In Copenhagen, I represented Green Course and was joined by 25 other representatives from NGOs across Israel. The Israeli NGO delegation sits under the umbrella of the Paths to Sustainability Coalition. Our delegation calls upon the government of Israel to formulate a comprehensive, ambitious and bold climate policy and to allocate the resources necessary for its implementation. Israel must set clear and substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, on par with the standards of developed countries of the world, and in accordance with Israel’s level of economic development.

In Copenhagen, the NGOs delegation was looking to influence the government’s GHG emissions policy by promoting local issues that related to climate change like the proposed coal power plant and Israel’s backwards energy sector. During the conference, we learned from the international NGOs and got some advice and insight on further activities we could organize in Israel. As a side note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Danish Jewish community for their most gracious hospitality during the conference. We are grateful for your tremendous generosity in hosting us.

Achievements After All…?

Throughout the conference the NGO delegation had daily discussions and meetings with the officials from the Israeli government delegation. These meetings were beneficial for both parties. Through our connections with other NGOs, we had more information about other countries than the government delegation. What we received in exchange for this information was a chance to convince the delegation to commit to stricter emission cuts. Every country had to declare their intensions to the world meaning the Israeli government was finally in a position where it had to make a decision. We wanted to influence that decision to ensure its strength.

As Peres was representing Israel, he was requesting a statement from the government. There was a struggle behind the scenes between the ministries about what target to declare. We sent a lot of information to the media to increase pressure on the government to set the highest targets possible. We also met with Peres directly in order to get Israel to declare ambitions goals that are in line with the developed nations. Eventually, Peres accepted the suggestions by the Environmental Minister, Gilad Erdan. This proposal was significantly more reasonable than the proposal by the ministers of Finance and Infrastructure who were looking for reductions of half the amount that Erdan suggested.

Basically, the declaration means that Israel will be increasing its emissions by 20% from today’s levels. Not exactly what we were looking for. In response, all NGOs criticized the decision. Nonetheless, it is the first time that Israel declared any targets whatsoever. Yet, as a developed country by all standards and a country that wants to be part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Israel should have set higher targets that are not measured against ‘business as usual’ levels.

Shimon Peres’ speech

During the meeting with Peres, I urged him to consider the younger generation and build the future of Israel around efficiency that relies more on renewable energy and public transportation and less on coal and cars. Peres was in agreement and admitted that it would be a great mistake to build another coal power plant in Ashkelon. This was an extremely big statement in support of the movement against the coal power plant.

Another important achievement that occurred during the summit was Netanyahu’s decision to postpone the discussion about establishing a new coal power plant in Ashkelon. He postponed it until the government concludes its discussion on plans to deal with climate change. This is an important signal and the first time the government recognizes the connection between Israel’s climate change policy and the coal power plant.

That said, so far Israel does not have an action plan on reducing green house gas emissions -- our demand from the government upon returning from Copenhagen. We demand that Israel take the lead in promoting its advanced green technologies not just around the world but also at home in Israel. Only if Israel will realize that it is, in fact, a developed country and reduce emissions accordingly, will it enjoy the fruits of the high tech industry that is so promising.

What’s Next?

We have to demand an action plan from the government. We have to completely cancel any notion, any intention to build the coal power plant. It is a test for the Israeli government. We should continue with our activities promoting public transportation and equate it to GHG emissions as to convince the government that significant reductions will be realized with a major move towards public transportation.

It is probably the first time climate change has ever been discussed in the Prime Minister’s office with such deliberation. Netanyahu must commit, in a more serious extent, to higher reduction targets after such a scientifically enlightening conference. The next few years are going to be crucial and we need the right policies and incentives from the government to reach our goals.

As a whole, the word I would use to describe the conference is ‘disappointing’. Hard work is required in the following year to ensure a legally binding agreement at the next summit in Mexico. I just hope that the Israeli government does not use the superficiality of the Copenhagen Accords to ignore its responsibility to the world. The results of the Copenhagen conference show that “think globally, act locally” is more relevant than ever.

P.S. You can read the full Copenhagen Accord Here