COP For Hope: COP29 Already Has Major Achievements – Israel’s Special Envoy For Climate Change (Exclusive Interview) (PHOTO)
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku is demonstrating impressive progress as global leaders and pioneers in the realms of politics, economy, science, and the environment converge with a united aim—addressing today’s critical climate issues.
In an exclusive discussion during the event, Ambassador Gideon Behar, Israel’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability, shared insights into the early successes and future aspirations of COP29. “The conference has made a great start,” said Ambassador Behar, highlighting a significant achievement on the opening day with an agreement on Article 6.4, which focuses on establishing carbon markets.
“Azerbaijan played an essential role in this success,” he noted, “offering remarkable hospitality and strong support as hosts of approximately 200 nations’ delegates.”
The ambassador expressed optimism for the establishment of a substantive financial mechanism during the event, emphasizing the crucial need for increased climate finance. This is particularly urgent for developing countries and small island states that are already experiencing detrimental effects from climate change.
According to Ambassador Behar, the context is dire: “This is the hottest year ever recorded, and the last decade ranks as the warmest in history. There’s an immediate need for action.” He hopes COP29 delivers decisive results on emissions reduction and finalizes mechanisms for carbon markets.
He stressed the importance of collective responsibility, calling on nations, development banks, international financial systems, and private companies to rise to the challenge. Acknowledging innovation’s pivotal role, he introduced Israel’s delegation, consisting of 20 startups offering innovative solutions across water management, agriculture, food security, and renewable energy sectors.
Examples of these innovative solutions include a startup that extracts water directly from the atmosphere and another that creatively transforms unsellable agricultural produce into usable resources, reducing waste and emissions. A third venture focuses on restoring wetlands to enhance CO2 capture.
The ambassador also emphasized the strong collaborative efforts between Israel and Azerbaijan, citing effective partnerships in water management, renewable energy, and agricultural advancements. He mentioned that the Israeli firm Mekorot is actively consulting with the Azerbaijani government, and partnerships extend to academia, with a branch of the renowned Israeli Technion Institute established in Azerbaijan.
A memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing climate education between Israel and Azerbaijan was also announced. This effort is intended to educate young students about climate issues and could potentially expand into a regional initiative. “The collaboration exemplifies the deep friendship and alliance between our nations, and we’re eager to grow this bond further,” Ambassador Behar expressed.
Innovation, as per Ambassador Behar, stands as Israel’s paramount contribution to combating the climate challenge. “With approximately 1,300 companies and startups dedicated to climate innovation, Israel presents solutions in areas like carbon capture, energy efficiency, and water management. We aim to enhance our cooperation with Azerbaijan in these sectors,” he stated.
Concluding with a solemn warning about the urgency of the climate crisis, he asserted, “This decade is critical. Failing to act now could mean reaching an irreversible threshold. Cutting emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, increasing climate finance, and investing in innovation are not only environmental necessities but also opportunities for economic growth and international collaboration.”
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