The Climate Law was approved today (Tuesday) by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation. Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman said, "The Climate Law is a law that affects each and every one of us. The law that passed today in the ministerial committee changes reality and puts Israel on par with developed countries."
The law that was approved today by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, sets the national target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 at a 30% reduction, compared to the previous decision which set the target at 27%. The goal, say officials in the ministry, is to achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions measured in 2015 (the base year). Additionally, the law also enacts a net-zero emissions target by 2050, for the first time in Israel.
Idit Silman: "The law will serve as an economic growth catalyst"
The Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, welcomed the passage of the law in the Ministerial Committee, saying, "The approval of the law today is an important and significant step towards historical environmental and social legislation. Climate change is a matter that affects each and every one of us. In cooperation with all relevant government ministries, I am excited to announce that we have taken a significant step for the State of Israel and its citizens."
Regarding the law, she said, "This is a transformative law that places Israel on par with developed countries and legislates the reduction targets until their net-zero by 2050. It also includes the development of a national plan to achieve these targets and a climate adaptation plan based on the preparedness plans of all government ministries."
She further added, "Unlike previous legislation, the Climate Law passed today sets clear targets, allowing Israel to prepare for climate change, serve as an economic catalyst in the transition to a low-carbon economy, achieve net-zero emissions, and provide the necessary certainty for businesses and investors. With God's help, in the coming months, I will work together with professional bodies to complete its legislation in the Knesset."
The Society for the Protection of Nature: The implementation of the law will become possible with the halting of the expansion of the gas drilling of Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company
In a statement from the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, they said, "The Society for the Protection of Nature supports the advancement of the Climate Law, which constitutes a vital and urgent contribution to addressing the greatest crisis humanity faces today. This proposal is a first step to bring Israel closer to the developed countries in the world, by setting for the first time a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and creating a governmental institutional framework for climate adaptation."
However, the Society for the Protection of Nature states, "The Climate Law proposal should be improved in terms of intermediate goals, authorities, and budgets, and we will act in the Knesset to enhance and refine the legislation."
According to their statement: "In parallel with promoting the law and to enable its implementation, the government must halt the expansion of gas drilling and gas exports and prevent the increase in oil transportation by the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company in the Gulf of Eilat and Ashkelon. These steps constitute an absolute contradiction to the promotion of the Climate Law and will undermine Israel's ability to contribute its part in tackling the climate crisis. It is time for the Israeli government to decide whether it stands for preserving nature and the climate or for immediate gratification at the cost of future generations."