In the second article of our publication series “Climate Change Mitigation in the Eastern Mediterranen”, Dr. Tali Zohar and Dr. Tarek Abu Hamed take a look at Israel's electricity grid, identifying the barriers that currently impede the integration of renewable energy sources. The paper also focuses on the urgent climate change challenges faced by Israel, highlighting the adverse effects of climate change, such as frequent extreme weather events, that are already impacting the country. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for more ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation plans, particularly in light of Israel's inadequate emission reduction targets and insufficient supporting policies.
Furthermore, considering Israel's unique situation as an energy island with a dense population and limited access to land resources, the paper underscores the importance of regional cooperation to address the interconnected challenges of energy and water security in the midst of the climate crisis. While acknowledging the political complexities involved within Israel and its neighbouring countries, Dr. Zohar and Dr Abu Hamed propose utilizing unofficial diplomatic channels (Track II) as a platform for developing practical cross-border strategies.