During the Glasgow climate conference, leaders will reach a joint agreement that sets out the goals and means to address the severe consequences of the climate. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is a key crossroads; some might even say it affects the fate of humanity. If our human society can agree on a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, we can avoid exceeding the 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold, and humanity can avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis. However, if no agreement can be reached, we will inevitably move towards natural disasters that threaten the future of humankind.
The challenges are enormous, but overcoming them is possible: for the first time in human history, it is necessary to mobilize all the major players of the globe, including Governments, the private sector, civil society, the media, academia, religious leaders and others. Similarly, for the first time, humanity is confronted with a tangible threat of such a magnitude and power that will have far-reaching consequences for many generations. We must therefore make every effort to ensure the success of the Glasgow climate conference, to put the world's citizens on a path of climate stability and security, and to achieve prosperity for all.
In this context, what we need now is a practical, economical, and quickly available solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience and resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis. In these areas, Israel stands out as a major country for climate innovation, with a wide range of companies and start-ups in this area, as well as significant investments in research and development. According to Israel's first State of Climate Technology Report 2021, these elements have combined to create a preeminent climate innovation ecosystem that includes more than 1,200 companies and start-ups, and is growing in size. The fact that about 10 percent of all new high-tech companies founded in Israel last year are in the field of climate innovation is just one example of the vibrancy of Israeli startups.
The range of solutions that Israel must offer is wide-ranging. In agriculture, Israel offers drip irrigation and precision agriculture, and in the areas of water management and water loss prevention in urban systems, Israel holds a world record of 3% water loss and 90% wastewater reuse rate. Israel also offers solutions in desalination, energy storage in compressed air or ice, energy efficiency, reforestation, sustainable modes of transport and mobility, the development of new materials, animal protein alternatives (which are Israel's global leading areas such as 3D printed steaks), which also include food loss prevention, as well as many other exciting areas.
Israel hopes that by sharing its knowledge and collaborating to implement these solutions, this will greatly help achieve multiple of the global mitigation goals and build resilience within affected countries and communities, as well as the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). International cooperation in the field of climate innovation is also an opportunity to strengthen the economy of the whole people and create new jobs, allowing humanity to develop and prosper while protecting nature, climate and the planet's ecological diversity. Let's work together!
We sincerely hope that the Glasgow climate conference will be a positive turning point that humanity desperately needs in the future. We have the capacity to achieve that goal.
Ambassador of Israel to China
Irit Ben-Abba
![Tomorrow, the turning point[fig]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs=)