Climate change in Israel

Köppen climate classification map for Israel for 1991–2020
2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely[1][2][3]

Israel, like many other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, experiences adverse effects from climate change. Annual and mean temperatures are increasing in Israel, with mean temperature expected to increase between 1.6 and 1.8 °C (2.9 and 3.2 °F) by 2100.[4] There is a reduction in annual precipitation and delayed winter rains.[5] Israel is already experiencing droughts and water shortages. Heatwaves are other natural hazards expected to increase with climate change.[6]

Climate change has exacerbated existing problems that come with living in a dry and arid region. Droughts have been more frequent and longer in recent years, which poses a risk to agriculture and water access.[7] With the loss of agricultural land, many people are forced to move to urban areas.[8] Urban areas, like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are now facing overpopulation.[9] Climate change has and will continue to have a significant impact on all areas of Israel as well as all people of Israel. Furthermore, vulnerable communities such as the Palestinians, Bedouins, women, children, the elderly, and the chronically ill will experience the brunt of the burden of climate change.[10][11] 

Israel contributes 0.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).[12] These GHG come mainly from the power and industry sectors.[13] Israel's emissions are predominately from gas and coal burning.[14] Israel signed the Paris Agreement, and as a party to the global climate action it has committed to reduce its GHG by 27% below 2015 levels by reducing carbon emissions from municipal waste, transportation, and electricity sectors.[15][16]

  1. ^ Hausfather, Zeke; Peters, Glen (29 January 2020). "Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading". Nature. 577 (7792): 618–20. Bibcode:2020Natur.577..618H. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3. PMID 31996825.
  2. ^ Schuur, Edward A.G.; Abbott, Benjamin W.; Commane, Roisin; Ernakovich, Jessica; Euskirchen, Eugenie; Hugelius, Gustaf; Grosse, Guido; Jones, Miriam; Koven, Charlie; Leshyk, Victor; Lawrence, David; Loranty, Michael M.; Mauritz, Marguerite; Olefeldt, David; Natali, Susan; Rodenhizer, Heidi; Salmon, Verity; Schädel, Christina; Strauss, Jens; Treat, Claire; Turetsky, Merritt (2022). "Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic". Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 47: 343–371. doi:10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847. Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement...
  3. ^ Phiddian, Ellen (5 April 2022). "Explainer: IPCC Scenarios". Cosmos. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023. "The IPCC doesn't make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C.
  4. ^ "Israel | UNDP Climate Change Adaptation". www.adaptation-undp.org. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  5. ^ OECD. 2013. "Water and Climate Change Adaptation in Israel". OECD. Retrieved from: https://www.oecd.org/env/resources/Israel.pdf
  6. ^ "Israel hit by new heat wave: Country to swelter for several days". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  7. ^ "Drought". www.who.int. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  8. ^ "Climate-Related Migration Into Cities: What We Know and Why It Matters". United Nations University. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  9. ^ "Israel's population boom: Disaster or dream come true?". The Jerusalem Post. 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  10. ^ "The problem that has no name: Gender, climate migration, and the case of Israel - Story | IUCN". www.iucn.org. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  11. ^ Green, Manfred S.; Pri-or, Noemie Groag; Capeluto, Guedi; Epstein, Yoram; Paz, Shlomit (2013-06-27). "Climate change and health in Israel: adaptation policies for extreme weather events". Israel Journal of Health Policy Research. 2 (1): 23. doi:10.1186/2045-4015-2-23. ISSN 2045-4015. PMC 3707789. PMID 23805950.
  12. ^ Palatnik, Ruslana Rachel; Davidovitch, Ayelet; Krey, Volker; Sussman, Nathan; Riahi, Keywan; Gidden, Matthew (2023-01-01). "Accelerating emission reduction in Israel: Carbon pricing vs. policy standards". Energy Strategy Reviews. 45: 101032. doi:10.1016/j.esr.2022.101032. ISSN 2211-467X. S2CID 254757874. The country contributes about half a percent to global emissions of GHGs.
  13. ^ "Israel: Progress in the net zero transition" (PDF). 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  14. ^ Ritchie, Hannah; Roser, Max; Rosado, Pablo (2020-05-11). "CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions". Our World in Data.
  15. ^ "Israel's Commitment to Address Climate Change". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  16. ^ "Israel's Second Biennial Update Report" (PDF). Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection. February 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-05.