Exclusive: Ambassador Gideon Behar shares details about Israel’s participation at COP28

With roughly four months left until COP28, tell us about Israel’s upcoming participation at the climate change forum. What will be the key highlights at the Israeli pavilion/stand?

I want to say first that we attach great importance to COP28 and our wish is for the success of the summit under the leadership of the COP president designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. I believe COP28 will be a very significant climate change summit.

Our pavilion will concentrate on climate innovation in different areas, such as water, agriculture, renewable energy and nature-based solutions, alternative proteins, and the usage of big data and artificial intelligence in combating climate change.

We are also planning to have a large number of events at the pavilion to create cooperation and new projects – regionally and internationally. Israel has quite a large delegation, as the prime minister and the president have already confirmed their participation in the COP, and we anticipate the participation of a few ministers.

We see COP28 as an opportunity to promote climate innovation and solutions to the world, both in the fields of adaptation and mitigation. Climate technology and innovation have a very important role to play in tackling the climate crisis, and this is what we would like to show in our pavilion, both in the exhibition and at the events.

This will also be showcased through the participation of startup companies and experts from the academic and government sector.

Israel is incorporating sustainability in its education system as part of its Agenda 2030 vision. Tell us more about other sustainability initiatives that Israel is implementing at home and abroad.

Indeed education is a very important component and a part of the main strategy to combat the climate crisis, because the crisis will remain with us for decades to come, and the children of today will be the policymakers and CEOs of tomorrow, and they must be aware of the reasons for climate change and how to prevent it.

We have introduced a special education program in Israel for all ages. School children, regardless of their age, are now receiving education and information on the climate crisis.

Also, the academic sector is putting lots of effort into climate education, practically all of the universities and high education institutions in Israel have special programs and schools on climate change, so you can study climate change and sustainability in every university in Israel.

We are also in the process of preparing ourselves for the climate crisis with better adaptation. This is a broad process executed by the government – every ministry has to prepare its adaptation plan, based on a government resolution.

Many private sector companies and startups are also active in climate change, and I can tell you that practically every day there is a conference or an event in Israel on climate change, so the country is gearing up for action in this field.

What does the hosting of two consecutive climate change forums (COPs) in the Middle East mean to Israel?

Hosting COP28 in the UAE represents a unique opportunity for Israel, as both countries share close ties in tech collaborations, and will be able to leverage each other’s expertise to promote climate action across the region.

The fact that two consecutive climate change forums are happening in the Middle East brings the focus to the climate challenges that the region faces in climate change. It is very important to attract attention to what’s happening in the Middle East and work towards building regional resilience, and in that sense, the fact that two COPs are happening in the Middle East is very important.

How do you plan to leverage COP28 to expand Israel’s collaboration with the global community to achieve net zero carbon emissions target by 2050?

Israel, along with many other countries, is committed to the net zero target by 2050. We think that moving forward with energy efficiency and moving towards more use of renewable energy is essential, and we are collaborating with many countries in the world in that regard.

The Israeli private sector is very active in promoting solutions such as energy efficiency, and renewables such as solar and wind in many countries.

We know also that this probably won’t be enough, and we will have to capture carbon from the atmosphere or the sea to reach net zero by mid-century. There is more and more investment and research in Israel in carbon capture and storage technologies, and we are looking forward to collaborating in that regard with the UAE and other partners, as we consider this to be a significant strategy for all.

Climate funding-related constraints are a major barrier to ESG implementation. What is Israel’s stance on climate funding for developing countries or the global south?

We consider climate finance as an important mechanism for assisting developing countries in adapting to climate change and building resilience to the climate crisis, and indeed the international community must fulfil its promises and allocate funds equivalent to 100 B dollars in climate finance per year, and increase those numbers.

We see how climate-related disasters are affecting the world, especially developing countries, and there must be greater allocation in finance for adaptation; since climate change is going to stay with us for generations to come,  preparedness and adaptation are of the essence.

We also think that there should be more finance coming from the private sector and international organizations such as banks for development.

What are the lessons that other countries can take away from Israel’s innovation in renewable energy, agriculture, water stewardship and environmental protection?

I think that the main lesson here is innovation. One asks himself what can be done to create a better world, a better future for all of us. and we see how the private sector and the startups are working in Israel, I can tell you that Israel is leading in the number of startups opened in the world per capita, and today approximately one in seven of every new Israeli startup is in the field of climate tech and climate innovation.

The government is investing more in climate innovation. We see also how the private sector is doing more and investing more, and we see also how venture capital is coming and looking for opportunities in Israeli startups.

There is a great interest in the region and the world, in applying solutions that are coming from Israel.

Most of these excellent solutions are scalable and affordable in many countries. I think that in a time of urgency that we are now facing with the climate crisis and we see disasters everywhere in the world, we must put more emphasis on solutions – the solutions must be practical, affordable, scalable, and immediate, and they exist in Israel.

We are looking forward to sharing them with the world and in the region, and to working closely together with the United Arab Emirates which has a unique spirit of innovation and long-term vision. We are positive that this team effort, bilaterally, regionally, and internationally, will help us all move forward in tackling the challenge of climate change.

How is technology driving sustainability?

We must make sure that technology is a means that supports our planet, the climate and nature.

Many of today’s technologies are using today is damaging the climate and nature, so we must see how we can convert the current existing technologies and economic mechanisms to work in favour of a sustainable world and climate. We think that there are significant and viable opportunities for countries and companies to work together on that.

Read: COP28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber lays down big agenda items for climate summit