Israel pledges not to follow Trump's Paris Agreement exit
Environmental Protection Minister Ze’ev Elkin rejects assumption that Israel will change its stance following Trump's announcement to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, insisting that Israel 'is not an American colony'; says just as Trump was elected to represent Detroit, 'we were elected to represent Jerusalem.’
“The working assumption that Israel needs to change something in its conduct because the US president has decided to resign is wrong. We will continue to hold our part (of the bargain) and the government decisions that were made,” he added.
The landmark 2015 global agreement was signed by world leaders to fight climate change and Trump’s stated decision has sparked anger and condemnation from the heads of state and industry leaders who worked to bring it to fruition.
“Just as Trump said that he was elected to represent Detroit rather than Paris, we were elected to represent Jerusalem and not Detroit,” Elkin continued, before citing the benefits on the Israeli environment that have emanated from the agreement.
“The agreement does not affect the Israeli economy. Quite the contrary. We placed an emphasis on the the decreased use of coal and this is reducing air pollution in the state.”
Asked about the consequences that Trump’s decision could have, Elkin said that “undoubtedly, the decision could influence the world situation in the field of global warming. We can contribute our part and act to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but without American involvement the world will have significantly fewer tools to deal with the issue.”
The final version of the Paris Agreement was designed to limit global warming well below 2 degrees celsius and perhaps 1.5. The agreement further stipulates that state signatories are obliged to reduce their greenhouse emissions.
Israel signed the agreement when Elkin's predecessor Avi Gabai held the post. Gabai lamented Trump's decision, saying it "is very unfortunate and means less health and fewer economic opportunities, in the US and around the world."
Agreeing with Elkin, Gabai said that Israel was in no position to emulate their main ally.
“The United States is the most significant country in the climate agreement and Israel does not have the luxury to follow the US on this issue. The signing of the agreement has already opened new avenues for export and technological developments.”
