Israel to reduce greenhouse gases 21 Sep 2015
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Israel to reduce greenhouse gases

  • 9/21/2015
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    At a Cabinet meeting on Sept. 20, 2015, the government approved a program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25% - 7.7 tons per capita - by 2030. The GHG program will ultimately result in a NIS 100 billion savings to the Israeli market.
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    Power plants and industries to switch to natural gas Power plants and industries to switch to natural gas Copyright: Ministry of Environmental Protection
     
     
    (Communicated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection)

    The Israeli government will present the 25% GHG reduction target to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change by the end of September. Parties to the Convention are expected to adopt a new agreement at the December 2015 climate conference in Paris. Under that agreement, all countries, including Israel, will be legally obligated to reduce GHG emissions.

    The half billion shekel program that was submitted to the government for approval includes:

    • Providing NIS 300 million in financial support to Israeli companies over four years, so that they can invest in energy efficiency;
    • An increase in renewable energy to 17% of total energy production; currently, 2% of Israel's electricity is generated by renewables;
    • A 17% reduction in electricity consumption;
    • An improvement in public transportation that will result in a 20% reduction in private vehicle usage, as well as a transition from diesel to compressed natural gas for heavy vehicles.

    The program will lead to a 25% decrease in GHG emissions - the equivalent of 7.7 tons of emissions per capita. This will result in a massive decrease in pollution - and thus lower morbidity and mortality, as well as savings in fuel and electricity bills. It will also result in long-term energy security, efficiency, increased competition, job opportunities, further development of a clean tech market, and economic growth. The ultimate savings for the Israeli market will be NIS 100 billion.

    Environmental Protection Minister Avi ​Gabbay: "We are presenting dramatic targets for Israel. Every citizen will feel significant savings in their electric and gas bills, and in the reduction of air pollution in the wake of implementation of this program. And we are keeping to targets that will take us another step forward, toward the direction of OECD countries, saving billions for the economy and developing advanced green technologies."

    Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy & Water Resources Dr. Yuval Steinitz: "Today the government has approved a plan that on the one hand presents the most important objectives in terms of reducing emissions per capita, and puts Israel in a good position in terms of international comparison, and on the other hand is realistic and affordable to the economy. I'm pleased with the agreement that has been reached between the Ministries of Finance, Energy, and Environmental Protection on this important issue. Soon we will present an energy efficiency program that will enable the achievement of these objectives in a way that will serve the economy and energy security for the State of Israel."
     
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