Israel announces national target for 85 pct cut of emissions by 2050

JERUSALEM, July 23– Israel has announced that it will move to a low- carbon economy by 2050, the state’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said in a statement on Friday. Israel thus joins dozens of countries that have already decided on a vision and strategy for a low-emission economy, led by China, the U.S., the EU, Canada and Japan, the statement noted.

JERUSALEM, July 23 (Xinhua) — Israel has announced that it will move to a low-carbon economy by 2050, the state’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said in a statement on Friday.

The decision, which aims to move to a clean, efficient and competitive economy, was formulated by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett along with seven relevant ministers.

Israel thus joins dozens of countries that have already decided on a vision and strategy for a low-emission economy, led by China, the U.S., the EU, Canada and Japan, the statement noted.

The Israeli decision sets a national target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85 percent by 2050, compared to 2015.

This includes 96-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in transportation, 85-percent reduction in gas emissions in the electricity sector, and 92 percent in the municipal waste sector.

The decision also sets an interim target for 2030 of a 27 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

To reach the targets, a special budget will be allocated for electric buses, charging points, and for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in industry, businesses and local authorities.

“The decision will lead to huge economic savings in resource consumption, an almost complete cessation of pollution, and seizing opportunities for growth and leveraging Israeli innovation and creativity to develop solutions to the climate crisis,” the statement said.

Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg said that “this is a historic moment for health, environment, and the future generations.” Enditem