TEL AVIV, Israel – November 28, 2023 — UBQ Materials, climate tech developer of advanced materials made from waste, today announced its COP28 agenda focused on showcasing its proven resource recovery solution to convert residual household waste into climate positive UBQ™ material. UBQ Materials will for the third year join the Israel delegation at COP28 in Dubai, exhibiting in the Israel Pavilion. Additionally, UBQ Materials has partnered with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), which unveiled the first ever Waste and Resource Pavilion, emphasizing the substantial link between waste and climate change.

Within the Waste and Resource Pavilion, UBQ will highlight its novel bio-based material, UBQ™, which was named a 2023 TIME Best Invention. The company will showcase how incorporating UBQ™ can enable companies to meet specific sustainability targets such as waste diversion, circularity, increased post-consumer recycled content and emissions removal and avoidance. According to leading environmental sustainability consultancy Quantis, for every ton of UBQ™ used, manufacturers effectively prevent up to 11.7 tons of CO2eq. emissions and divert over 1.3 tons of waste from landfills and incineration.

“Joining the first Waste and Materials Pavilion aligns us with ISWA’s mission at COP28 calling upon stakeholders to ‘recognize the Waste and Resource Management sector as a net reducer of GHG emissions towards a low carbon future.’ This has been part of our story from our inception,” explained Gali Feldboy, Global Sustainability Director of UBQ Materials. “The take-make-waste economy cannot continue. UBQ sees waste as an abundant asset that can be converted into valuable materials through innovative solutions. Our process retains the inherent value of mixed household waste by converting it into a sustainable, adaptable raw material that can replace carbon-intense oil-based plastics across endless durable and semi-durable applications.”

UBQ Materials executives will contribute to conversations at COP28 focused on real-world solutions that tackle climate change. Feldboy will serve as a panellist as part of the Waste and Resources Pavilion program entitled Social Entrepreneurship to Tackle Climate Change joined by Carlos Silva Filho, President of ISWA, Christina Jaeger of the Yunus Environment Hub, Andre Dzikus of UN Habitat’s African Clean Cities Platform and Aline Cardoso, São Paulo Secretary for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.  

Co-founder and co-CEO of UBQ Materials Jack ‘Tato’ Bigio will speak at the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub Pavilion on the Climate Partnerships: Corporate – Startup Collaboration for Net Zero Targets panel. The session, part of the COP28 theme on Energy, Industry and Just Transition, will focus on successful corporate and startup collaborations aimed at achieving net-zero targets. Organized by Start-Up Nation Central, Bigio will be joined by UBQ customer Keter, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of resin-based household furniture and garden consumer products, to discuss how incorporating UBQ™ is enabling Keter to achieve is sustainability targets.

“In this Global Stocktake year, it’s more important than ever for stakeholders across both public and private sectors to understand the proven, scalable and economically sustainable solutions that will measurably reduce carbon emissions,” said Bigio. “With our Netherlands facility scheduled to begin operations, we’re already in the process of selecting the site for our next facility. COP28 gives us the opportunity to connect with governments, policy makers and leading companies from around the world to demonstrate the power of UBQ™ to localize waste management and harness this valuable resource to create a sustainable, highly recyclable material supporting a true circular economy.”

UBQ Materials will also exhibit from the Israel Pavilion, one of four Israeli companies taking part in the event this year. The company will present to attendees its first industrial scale facility scheduled to become operational by the end of 2023. Located in Bergen op Zoom known for its advanced industrial and manufacturing sector, the industrial-scale facility will have an annual production capacity of 80,000 metric tons of UBQ™, cycling 104,600 tons of regional waste back into productive use.

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About UBQ Materials Ltd.

UBQ Materials Ltd. closes the loop between the ecosystems of waste and materials. Through its advanced conversion technology, UBQ Materials Ltd. has created a pioneering bio-based thermoplastic, UBQ™, made entirely from residual waste, including all organics and hard-to-recycle materials. A sustainable plastic substitute, UBQ™ preserves finite resources, diverts waste from landfills and incinerators and prevents emissions. A certified B Corp, UBQ Materials is expanding globally to provide the world’s largest businesses, municipalities and consumers with a climate positive solution for a circular economy. Learn more by visiting www.ubqmaterials.com.

The post UBQ Materials to Showcase Resource Recovery Solution at COP28 in First Ever Waste and Resource Pavilion appeared first on Medika Life.

The question is whether it can be successful.

A series of events over the past few years has made a successful COP even more challenging. Amid calls for drastic climate action now, there has been political backlash against climate change activism and mitigation in the United States, and the end of the pandemic has seen industrial operations, travel, and other human activity return to pre-pandemic levels, causing emissions to go up in some areas. In addition, COP27 saw the largest presence of fossil fuel interests of any previous COP meeting. At COP28 there will be an even larger presence given that it is being held in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. Moreover, the appointment of the Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ANDOC) as the COP President has drawn the ire of some countries, along with climate and human rights activists.

The Stakes are High — IPPC’s Call for Urgent Action

Global conferences are nothing new. They make for interesting events, but often accomplish little in terms of catalyzing action. But this conference is different. The stakes could not be higher. COP28 attendees will take stock of the commitments made in Paris in 2015 to limit increase in global temperatures to 1.5 C and must forge commitments on a path forward. Decisions and accountability cannot be pushed to a future COP.

In March 2023, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released its latest report on the progress being made towards curbing carbon emissions to achieve the Paris goals, and the findings were dire, but not hopeless. In short, the UN noted, the IPCC report concluded that unless the global community acted very quickly to make significant reductions, the chance to keep emissions below 1.5C increase were in serious jeopardy.

The report highlighted the damage that is already being done and that will continue “hitting the most vulnerable people and ecosystems especially hard.” Aditi Mukherji, one of the report’s authors, noted that “almost half the world’s population lives in regions that are highly vulnerable to climate change.” She went on to note that “in the last decade, deaths, droughts, and storms were 15 times higher in highly vulnerable regions.” The report noted that temperatures have already risen 1.1 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

According to the IPCC, if temperatures are to stay below 1.5 degrees increase, deep and rapid emissions reductions are needed in all sectors. The report concluded emissions must be cut by 50% by 2030.

While certainly a dire picture, the IPCC opined that there was still time to achieve these goals if action was quick and decisive. The IPCC proposed a “climate resilient development” approach and an increased focus on finance and finding ways to protect the most vulnerable. The UN called for an “Acceleration Agenda” and urged an immediate end to coal burning while achieving net-zero electricity generation by 2035 for all developed countries and by 2040 for the rest of the world.

IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee noted that “the report underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious action and shows that if we act now, we can still secure a livable sustainable future for all.”

But his words of caution ring particularly true for this conference, when he observed that “transformational changes are more likely to succeed where there is trust, where everyone works together to prioritize risk reductions, and where benefits and burdens are shared equitably.”

A Firestorm of Controversy

Can the attendees at COP 28 rise to meet the moment, trust each other, and work together to prioritize reductions and have the benefits and burdens shared equitably, or is COP28 doomed to failure? The controversies and skepticism of the parties leading into COP28 suggest a difficult path forward.

The decision to hold the COP28 in Dubai caused controversy for a variety of reasons, notably because of the dominance of the oil industry in the country, inequitable treatment of women, and limits on expression of political dissent. A new furor erupted in June when the Sultan Al Jaber’s appointment was announced.

Environmental activists and others were outraged and called the appointment a clear conflict of interest. The LA Times editorial page wrote: “Putting an oil executive in charge is not only a bad look, but it also stands to undermine important and urgent negotiations and further erode public confidence in summits that have been criticized as little more than high-level venues for greenwashing.”

Climate activists also roundly condemned the appointment. Al Jaber’s appointment “poses an outrageous conflict of interest” and takes the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at the UN talks “to another dangerous and unprecedented level,” said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International. Over 130 members of Congress and the European Parliament called for the removal of Sultan Al Jaber. There has also been significant concern about the limitations on protesting in the country. According to the Financial Times, COP28 organizers told speakers not to protest or criticize corporations, Islam, the UAE government or individuals.

Some leaders rallied to Al Jaber’s defense including US Climate Czar John Kerry who called the Sultan a “terrific choice” because his company knows it needs to transition.” EU Climate chief Frans Timmermans defended the UAE’s decision, asking people to “look at his impressive track record.”

Despite all the controversy, most countries and even most environmental organizations are still attending. Cherelle Blazer, senior advisor with Sierra Club’s climate group said it was “vitally important” that the members of civil society groups attend despite its being held “in a place that is hostile to protesting.”

In a rare interview the Guardian, the Sultan addressed concerns saying: “I decided I want to go and engage with everybody. I want everyone to be heard, and I want everyone to have face time with me. So, I travelled the world, and I even met with those who attack me publicly. I made it a point to go and see them.”

In further response to criticisms about hostility to protesting and concerns over inclusion and equality, on August 1, the UAE and the UN Climate group issued a joint statement trying to allay some fears on inclusiveness and the ability to protest:

“[W]e want to express our commitment to making COP28 and inclusive and safe space for all participants… We will work together to make CO28 the most inclusive UN Climate Change Conference to date.”

They sent a letter to all parties urging “increased participation and meaningful engagement of youth, women, and local communities, and Indigenous People … in climate decision making, policy and action.”

It went on to say, “In line with the UNFCCC guidelines and adherence to international human rights norms and principles, there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard.”

Only time will tell.

What is on the Agenda?

Sultan Al Jaber issued a strong call to action to the parties on the need to take strong and vigorous action:

• We must unite and seize the moment of the Global Stocktake to put the world on the right track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
• We need tangible progress, this year, on reform that will unlock far more concessional finance, mitigate risk, and attract more private capital.
• We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives.

The Global Stocktake will be the first COP to undertake a process designed to examine the degree to which countries have been successful in taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a comprehensive way. The data gathering has been ongoing over the past year, but in Dubai the parties will evaluate the results. In other words, it will in theory provide a mechanism to hold countries accountable for their actions or inaction.

In conjunction with the call to action, the Presidency also established the agenda and themes for each day. The themes include:

· Health/Relief, Recovery and Peace — Focusing on “investments that protect lives and support community resilience and stability.”

· Finance/Trade/Gender Equality/Accountability — Finance and trade mechanisms will require transformational change to achieve the climate goals. The focus will be on scale, access, and affordability. Programs will address mechanisms to ensure accountability so that help turn promises into results. Also discussed will be gender-responsive policy-making and better access to finance in the pursuit of true advancement of gender equality.

· Energy, Industry and Just Transition — A focus on the various strategies and mechanisms to obtain massive decarbonization and just transition while accelerating economic opportunity and job growth, while also addressing universal energy access and the needs of workers across the energy sector transition.

· Multilevel Action, Urbanization & Built Environment/Transport — A key focus will be on government action at all levels — not just national governments. Mayors, governors, and others will be featured, with a particular focus on challenges in building resiliency in urban areas related to the built environment and transportation.

· Youth, Children, Education, and Skills — Younger generations will be most affected by climate impacts and engagement, inclusion in policy decision making, and adapting education to develop skillsets aligned with climate action among those groups is critical.

· Nature, Land Use & Oceans — Critical to Paris Climate goals are the sustainability of nature, land use, and oceans. Delivering climate and nature co-benefits through a range of financing mechanisms will be discussed. Attention will be given also to managing carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. There will also be a focus on increasing private equity investment to nature-positive accountability frameworks.

· Food, Agriculture & Water — Feeding the planet is critical and food supply is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Moreover, the food and agriculture industry are significant contributors to man-made climate emissions as well as water resources. This will focus on innovation and investment, regenerative agriculture, and related financing mechanisms. Freshwater restoration, conservation and infrastructure discussions will also be an area of focus.

Woven into all days will be four key topics: Technology & Innovation, Inclusion, Frontline Communities, and Finance. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, swirling around all this activity will be the formal negotiations by the government leaders over a new agreement.

Can COP28 Succeed?

Even in the best of circumstances, the ability to reach consensus across the global community on any issue of significance is daunting. COP28 will face tremendous headwinds given the lack of significant progress since 2015, the sheer complexity of the issues, the vast difference between countries in terms of development, the lack of trust among parties and stakeholders, and the controversy over the host country and the leadership of COP. The stakes are high for our planet and everyone on it. If the parties recognize what is truly at stake and the magnitude of the challenges, and if they can find a way to trust and put personal agendas aside, it can be successful.

It is a tall order, but our future depends on it. The world will be watching; and hoping.

The post Climate at a Crossroads appeared first on Medika Life.

Today, wind power influences the global transition toward sustainable and renewable energy sources. Its status as a key renewable energy technology is expected to grow in importance in the coming years. The potential of wind power lies in its ability to generate clean electricity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to energy diversification. Now, it is one of the fastest-growing infrastructures in history.  

One of the primary advantages of wind power is its abundance. Wind is a limitless resource, available in varying degrees across the globe. Harnessing this power efficiently through wind turbines can provide ample electricity alongside other renewable energy sources to meet the power needs of homes, businesses, and, possibly, entire communities.  Following the Paris Climate Accords, international climate governance was organized around three pillars: mitigation, adaptation, and implementation. While fossil fuels will not disappear entirely from the energy portfolio, the global goal is diversifying into other sources. Wind and solar power are the go-to possibilities.

Energy Diversification is Key to Meeting Paris Climate Mandates

Necessity is the mother of invention.  While the Dutch sought to prevent flooding, Israel used wind turbines to pump water to arid communities.  Then in the 1980s, the Start-Up Nation installed its first experimental wind turbines. Wind energy plays a growing role in Israel’s renewable energy mix as the nation seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as part of its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

Enter First Airborne – Combining the Power of Drone Technology with Monitoring Performance

Now the country is championing bio-convergence – marshaling its peoples’ skills across the sciences – to explore how to make wind power an efficient energy resource.  Perhaps one of the leading players on the world measurement scene is First Airborne.  Headquartered in a small, picturesque village in Central Israel, First Airborne has developed a first-in-class patented wind measurement sensor called Windborne™. The 60-gram instrument, shaped like a small rocket ship, may transform wind farm monitoring and performance.

Attached to a moveable drone, Windborne, moving from wind farm section to section, enables short-staffed wind farm operators to obtain precision wind measurements across large-scale facilities at an unmatched scale. This validated level of accuracy and coverage has never been recorded before, making Windborne a possible game-changer for the renewable energy industry. It is the only robotic device in the wind-power industry to take direct measurements rather than provide a model measurement.

The potential of wind power to complement existing forms of clean energy is vast.  But how much wind is available, and what direction should the turbines face? As the renewable energy industry grows, accurate wind measurement data across large wind farms become vital to this growth sector.  Experts predict wind power offers the most significant future for energy. They suggest that even hydrogen will be fueled by wind farms. Green hydrogen is created by wind/solar power, and to meet our carbon-zero targets, green electricity must be used to produce hydrogen.

Wind Farms are Growing Exponentially

In speaking to Medika Life, First Airborne Founder and CEO Boaz Peled reflected on the possibilities of alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.  “The growth of wind power today is between eight and 12% annually. In the offshore sector, it could reach as much as 30% annually, and with what’s expected off the Eastern Coast of the United States, that growth could exceed even that optimistic estimate. That’s like owning 10 airports and building another every year.”

While initial investment costs for wind farms are significant, the operational costs are relatively low compared to fossil fuel-based power plants. But profitability is razor thin.  Economics remains one of the key obstacles to making the shift away from fossil fuels.  As technology advances and economies of scale are achieved, the cost of producing wind energy will continue to decrease, making it economically viable and competitive.

Peled says, “Solar and wind energy have infinite and abundant potential. But among the challenges is determining how operators go from managing 300 to 3000 wind turbines and doing that efficiently to ensuring a sustainable business model.”

Wind (and solar) power faces challenges that must be addressed to realize its fullest potential. One of the primary challenges is that wind is intermittent. The other is that it’s a rapidly growing energy sector with a limited talent pool to operate and maintain wind farms.  Large companies in the wind sector are operating their portfolios on low margins. Every failure has a substantial financial and confidence-loss impact. Every additional hire has a significant effect on successful operations. Efficiency guides the effective utilization of staff and the potential for greater societal and operational outcomes.

Addressing these issues through improved technology, proper planning, and community engagement is crucial to maximizing the positive impact of wind energy while minimizing the pitfalls.

Israel – Innovation Perfected By Necessity

Like Israel, many nations are pursuing on- and offshore wind energy development as a renewable energy strategy. Denmark, German, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom lead the way in Europe with operational offshore wind farms. In North America, the United States is making strides with efforts underway in the Atlantic Ocean.

But then there is the pressing challenge of maximizing the operational investment in equipment.  Wind turbines generate electricity only when wind speeds are sufficient, and this fluctuation requires backup power sources or energy storage systems to ensure a stable energy supply. Leaders in this ever-growing sector are asking critical questions about metrics: How do we know what the wind is? If I know what the wind is, do I know the value of my wind resource? Am I producing correctly or not?  Even how wind arms can are possible risks to birds and bats, leading to potential collisions with turbines. Proper site selection, direction and mitigation measures reduce these conservation concerns.

Technology advancements are crucial to tap the full potential of wind power. Ongoing research and development efforts aim to enhance turbine efficiency, increase capacity factors, and improve energy storage solutions. Additionally, advances in offshore wind power are expanding its reach into new areas, where winds tend to be stronger and more consistent.

On the Way to Dubai and COP28 – Wind Power Validated

“The earth has enough sun and wind to meet humanity’s energy consumption,” says Peled, who managed wind farms in Eastern Europe before returning to Israel to launch his company.  “Now, the prime business question is operational.  Are there enough solar panels – probably not. Currently, the rate of solar panel energy access is low – one megawatt-hour of solar power compared to one-third to half of the megawatt capacity of wind. Wind is more efficient as an energy source.  Real-time measurement is critical to shifting this industry with its great potential into a high-performance sector,” he adds.

Wind power offers a great future for diversified energy sources. Measuring wind power is crucial to secure its place as an effective solution.  Our dominant economic model is from extracting crude oil from the earth, but this chapter is coming to an orchestrated close.  As the world convenes soon in Dubai for COP28, calls for renewable and sustainable energy will grow louder. It’s not enough to suggest that wind is a sustainable alternative.  That must be proven.

Accurate measurements – amassing that data – will determine whether wind power will become a global priority and how nations and corporations assess farm site suitability, optimize turbine placement and evaluate energy output. Only accurate and validated data can enable that level of informed decision-making, planning, and, ultimately, the great potential of wind power as a renewable energy source.  This visit to First Airborne was a conversation with pioneers whose robotic engineering attention to detail will likely take the hot air out of wind’s significant renewable energy potential.

The post Harvesting the Breeze: Unleashing the Power of Wind Energy appeared first on Medika Life.

Last year, the Israeli Innovation Authority shepherded 10 climate tech startups to COP27 in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt. In 2022, those companies represented the country’s growing climate tech sector, from alternative protein production to clean energy systems to waste mitigation solutions.

Now, fast forward one year to COP28 in Dubai. The Israeli Innovation Authority has announced that its contingent will blossom 10-fold – 100 companies and 1,000 people – including 30 start-ups will join government ministers, scientists, investors, businesspeople, and environmental groups uniting to drive the “Climate of Innovation.”

Answering the “BHAG” of Climate Commitment

At the November/December COP28 gathering – expected to attract 80,000 attendees – signatories to the 2015 Paris Agreement will join a global reflection exercise to benchmark how all are progressing toward their climate change commitments. Those “big hairy audacious net zero goals” include reducing global warming emissions to keep average temperature increases below 2°C (3.6°F) and ideally 1.5°C (2.7°F), compared with pre-industrial 1880s levels.

But the communal soul-searching will most likely arrive swiftly at the conclusion we all dread hearing – we are not on track to hit our targets. Global temperature is projected to warm by about 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7° degrees Fahrenheit) by 2050 and 2-4 degrees Celsius (3.6-7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100.

How do we turn the tide? We must empower innovators to move their climate/tech ideas from bench to test to market as quickly as possible.

What is holding up the pace of progress?

When Talent, Capital and Policy Align, Change is Possible

Three things must align: talent, financial capital, and government policies. This is why Israel is climbing the leaderboard of game-changers. The Israeli government has given the green light for ministries to collaborate and launch start-up incubators and innovation hubs focused on clean technologies and climate change solutions. Encouraging policies support entrepreneurs and provide resources for developing and ramping up climate-friendly technologies. The right environment has been cultivated. Then it comes down to talent and capital.

Israel has one of the world’s highest numbers of engineers per capita; the Start-Up Nation is estimated to have around 135 engineers per 10,000 people. But now, the country’s educational system prepares those interested in the sciences and engineering to supercharge their abilities.

The scale of talent is there and getting smarter. 

The BioConvergence of Science and Engineering

“Our M.Sc. bio-convergence program aims to train leaders of multidisciplinary projects. We believe synthetic biology, bio-convergence, and an economic growth engine can help the environment and many other aspects affecting human health,” reflects Yuval Dorfan, Ph.D., MBA, Senior lecturer, HIT: Holon Institute of Technology in Israel and Research Fellow at Zvi Meitar Institute, Reichman University. “The program will cover all aspects required for developing new products: bio-engineering tools, sustainability, bioethics, cyber-biosecurity, and regulation.” 

Incubators, accelerators, and private equity groups in Israel focused on training and investment for the defense, technology and health sectors have been welcome and plentiful. But addressing the pressing challenges of the planet demands their full engagement to advance the country’s climate and environmental innovation sector. That’s happening.

Israel’s private equity community increasingly supports the environment and climate tech sector. Private equity firms in Israel recognize the importance of addressing the social impact of climate change globally. The country’s history in overcoming environmental challenges in water conservation, energy scarcity and recycling has made it a real-world testing ground for ideas that work.  Its emphasis on protecting nature creates a balance between business and biology.

The Power of Collaboration

Venture capital firms have moved rapidly to begin funding startups and growth-stage companies that focus on renewable energy, clean technologies, sustainable agriculture, water management, waste management, and other sectors related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. They provide capital, expertise, and strategic guidance to help these companies develop and scale their technologies.

COP28 is expected to be Israel’s breakout moment in ecohealth and climate tech, and Israeli private equity and venture capital teams are ramping up efforts in preparation. Aside from the three essentials for success – talent, capital, and favorable policies – Israel has a global competitive advantage: its society is highly collaborative. 

Sharing knowledge is part of the country’s entrepreneurial culture.  On Thursday, July 20th, leading investors, academics, and government officials will share insights with entrepreneurs in a Meet-Up organized by Levi Shapiro, curator and founder of mHealth Israel, titled: “2024 EcoHealth & ClimateTech Investment Outlook.” 

Many of the country’s leading minds will update attendees on the investment and regulatory landscape, key trends and success factors in the climate tech sector, and the role of government and the private sector in championing climate innovation.

Dr. Yael Parag Cohen, incoming Dean, Reichman University; Inbar Blum, Deputy Head, Growth Division, Israel Innovation Authority; Anat Tsour, Founding CEO, Capital Nature; Inbar Blum, and Bracha Halaf Ph.D., Managing Partner, ClimateTech VC, will be presenting and joining in the conversation at the Herzog law firm, 6 Yitzhak Sadeh, 1F, Tel Aviv. 

The Planet Doesn’t Need People – People Need the Planet

Talent, capital, and policy are essential to address one of the world’s most pressing needs – a failing environment. From the nation that brought us Waze and AI-powered Mobileye, Israel, which has already created desert-friendly irrigation and drinking water produced from thin air, will likely deliver breakthrough climate/tech soon.

The post Climate Change, COP28 and the Ingredients for Accelerated Innovation in the Start-Up Nation appeared first on Medika Life.

Israel – The Climate of Innovation Heads to COP28

While some are still considering whether to head to Dubai for COP28, Israel is committed to having significant presence at the “Davos of Climate Change.” Known for its health, defense, technology and entrepreneurship achievements, the country is emerging rapidly as a global environmental innovation leader.  Israel plans to bring a 1,000-person delegation representing some 100 companies to Dubai. 

According to Start-Up Nation Central – the non-profit that connects Israel’s tech and science community to the world, almost 1,000 Israeli enterprises are pursuing a range of decarbonization, climate adaptation, and environmental protection technologies with the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and address its root causes.

“With our global outreach to multinational companies and investors, we are advancing the Israeli energy sector and its technologies as an important and viable solution to the world energy challenge and a solutions hub for reducing global carbon emissions,” said the non-profit’s Head of Climate Tech Sector Yael Weisz Zilberman. “Mapping sub-sectors and the companies in each provides broad accessibility to Israeli technological solutions and enables the entire sector to expand its activities.”

Many consider COP28 as Israel’s “declaration to lead” event. For the second consecutive COP event, the Israeli pavilion in Dubai will appear under the “Climate of Innovation” umbrella. The connection of Israel to innovation is expected; the country known for making the desert bloom takes on ecological challenges with can-do confidence married with an inventive spirit to develop groundbreaking solutions that can significantly impact climate change and support sustainability.  But that doesn’t happen without dedicated, collaborative effort.

Collaboration is Key to Creating Technology that Addresses Climate Change

Through a combination of government support, academic research and a strong, healthy community of entrepreneurial businesses, Israel is a fertile proving ground for environmental innovation, so much so that the country’s innovation community has created a collaborative blueprint for other nations to follow. 

The Israeli government has implemented policies and initiatives to support and promote innovation with major companies at home and abroad, and with other nations to prioritize climate change and sustainability for investment and development.  It has resulted in Israel becoming a laboratory for research and development in renewable energy; water purification, desalination and management; and sustainable agriculture. It’s also an approach that delivers returns on investment by building a collaborative culture of innovation.

For example, a collaborative Environmental Sustainability Innovation Lab (ESIL) dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability is among the nation’s many exciting projects. Another is the creation of the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), a cooperative effort between the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Israeli Ministry of Economy launched in 2019. Start-ups participating in these incubators receive advice and funding to build infrastructure and have a better pathway toward financing for their “proof of concept.”

The incubator is a model for accelerated progress, and its reputation has had global benefits. Morocco, the fourth Arab country to normalize ties with Israel, is now pursuing cooperation with Israel in environment, natural resources and climate change. If long-time enemies can recognize that without a sustainable planet, all are lost, it provides hope that we can make progress against rising global temperatures.

Investing in the Planet’s Future

Crucial in advancing environmental innovation is Israel’s thriving startup ecosystem. The country is home to a growing community of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists passionate about accelerating technological solutions to pressing environmental problems. Startups are tackling diverse issues, ranging from waste management and recycling to energy efficiency and urban sustainability. Purpose-centered investors with proven ROI track records are focusing on the progress and potential of Israeli-based environmental innovations.

Investors are also crucial to that collaborative effort. Among the premier, global, purpose-focused investors watching the sector in Israel is ARK Invest, which believes innovation can solve the most persistent problems and help transform the way the world works. They are doing more than watching the start-up nation; they are going all-in, looking for both return on investment and meaningful social impact.

ARK Invest recognized that Israel is a world leader in developing innovative products and services.  Its Chief Investment Officer Cathie Wood shared with Medika Life that “Israel’s companies are advancing scientific research and enhancing many sectors of the global economy. Ranked highly in the world for technological advancements and entrepreneurship and responsible for many innovations, ARK thinks Israel has earned its status as an innovation powerhouse.”

The Climate Innovation Model

Through government support of collaboration that brings together a matchless entrepreneurial ecosystem; technologists with a proven track record of practical advancements; a community of thriving startups; and visionaries in Israel and other countries, Israel has become a must-watch leader in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Other nations – particularly emerging nations – face similar challenges and conditions, and they can accelerate the global transition to a greener, more sustainable future by fostering collaboration to create an infrastructure that guides, supports and brings purpose-centered investors to the table of possibilities.

A world facing climate change that threatens human health and long-term existence needs proven models that point the way to achieving a sustainable future. Israel, poised to join the inner circle of climate leaders, is a success story and a model for others to follow.

[The next report will come from Israel and highlight some companies at the forefront of environmental and sustainability innovation.]

The post Environmental Innovation in Israel: A Laboratory for Climate and Sustainability Solutions appeared first on Medika Life.

The tremor is still felt today as delegates weigh whether registering for what many consider the key global meeting on climate change and booking their flights for COP28 in Dubai is worth their expense and time. One primary concern for many attendees is the weighted presence of the fossil fuel industry and how their voices may shape climate policy and actions.

Some 636 lobbyists from the oil and gas industries attended the COP27 climate conference, an increase of more than 25% from the previous year, outnumbering all other national or corporate delegations. In 2020 in Glasgow, that number was 503. This year, the fossil fuel sector’s delegation is second only to the COP28 host nation, the United Arab Emirates, with 1,070 registered delegates, representing a 10-fold increase over the country’s presence last year.

Reflect on the reaction of some 2022 delegates reported in The Guardian about the scores of fossil fuel delegates who attended COP27:

“The influence of fossil fuel lobbyists is greater than frontline countries and communities. Delegations from African countries and Indigenous communities are dwarfed by representatives of corporate interests”, said the group Kick Big Polluters Out, which campaigns against the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists at the climate negotiations.

Regarding the quality of representation, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once remarked, “The delegates at UN COP meetings exemplify the collective strength and determination of nations, driving us towards a sustainable future. Their dedication and commitment serve as a beacon of hope for our planet and generations to come.”

Others advocate for bringing the industry closer to the decision-making table, citing that their full participation is needed to align policy to actions. Among them, the influential meeting president Sultan al-Jaber. Al-Jaber, closely connected to the fossil fuel industry, has advocated for change and investment in new technologies.

Does the influx of fossil fuel industry delegates detract from the former Secretary General’s expectation for the UN-sponsored COP meetings? Many are voting on that question by choosing to stay home this year. Does that serve society’s and industry’s best interests?

SCIENCE VS GAS-PUMP SALES

Science has established beyond doubt that the window for action to alter our planet’s disastrous climate trajectory is drawing closer and closer to closure. The angst among those unsure if they should make their presence and voices heard in Dubai is influenced by the sheer volume of fossil fuel industry lobbyists registered. Are they there to listen, learn and rally to support change or stymie urgent action through backroom deals and obstinance? Is the fossil fuel industry the fox in the world’s sustainability henhouse?

Fossil fuel companies have participated in previous COP conferences as part of the business and industry constituency. That presence has been subject to scrutiny and suspicion. The sector’s business model is clear — it’s focused on fossil fuel extraction with direct climate change impact. But, to survive and thrive, it must change too. The writing is on the wall and the pressure is, as it must be, being turned up.

Though many fossil fuel companies publicly support the Paris Climate Accords and the COP conversations with commitments to reduce their carbon emissions, it is unclear whether their actions align with their public statements. COP conferences are a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and solutions and, importantly, transparently show their progress toward commitments related to climate change. If the fossil fuel industry plans to attend, delegates must raise questions and the media must compare aspirational statements to follow-up.

STATUS QUO OR CHANGE

Many suspect the fossil fuel industry is vested in maintaining the status quo, climate change be damned. Its profitability relies heavily on the continued extraction and consumption of fossil fuels. Transitioning away from the only business they’ve ever known requires significant infrastructure and operating model changes that need enormous investment. It requires countries and companies to ween consumers off cars that drive up to the pump for refueling and purchasing rubber and plastic–oil derivative products.

The fossil fuel industry’s influence on policymaking processes is a given. These companies have lobbied governments for decades, funded political campaigns, and built trade associations to shape energy and climate policies. Attendees at COP28 — people connected to addressing their planet and public health priorities — worry that the industry’s enormous presence will result in worthless outcomes, weakening climate commitments in favor of short-term economic gains instead of long-term sustainability.

The fossil fuel industry spends billions on lobbying efforts that affect business operations and profitability. Among the issues this industry historically prioritizes:

1. Climate and Energy Policies: Efforts aim to shape policies on greenhouse gas emissions regulations, renewable energy standards, carbon pricing mechanisms, and other climate-related measures that impact industry operations and competitiveness.

2. Regulatory Environment: Work to influence regulations related to drilling and extraction practices, environmental protection, land use policies, permitting processes, and safety standards.

3. Taxation and Subsidies: Lobbying activities targeting tax policies, incentives, and subsidies that impact the cost of exploration, production, and transportation of fossil fuels.

4. International Agreements: Influencing international agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, to shape global climate policies that align with their business interests.

It’s that last point that worries attendees heading to COP28. The latest scientific reports, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments, underscore the need for rapid and drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophic consequences. Given the urgency, many in scientific, advocacy, and media communities feel that fossil fuel industry involvement in climate discussions directly conflicts with the speed needed to address the crisis.

As the world grapples with the need for a sustainable and equitable energy transition, addressing these concerns and finding ways to balance industry participation with climate ambition will be crucial for the success and credibility of COP28 and the future of global climate action.

STAY HOME OR GO

Many will cite fossil fuel industry meddling or lack of concrete progress as sufficient reason to watch what happens in Dubai from afar. Fair-balanced influential voices must require checks and balances and a watchful eye over fossil fuel lobbyists. The COP meetings — however tainted — remain essential to the world’s welfare.

Urgent action is needed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, adapt to the changes we’re already seeing and work toward building a more sustainable and resilient future for the planet.

Climate change affects ecosystems and biodiversity. Rising temperatures, habitat loss, and changing precipitation patterns will result in species extinction, disrupt the food supply chain, and impact life-sustaining processes such as pollination and water purification. The clock is ticking. Can we afford to sit out COP28 for a better time, settling or set of delegates?

Shutting out an industry that is among the most significant contributors to the problem doesn’t move us closer to solutions. Giving them free rein to the meeting and back-room conversations is equally unacceptable. Staying home removes critical voices from having an impact.

You don’t make peace with your friends. You make it with your enemies. Perhaps we need to bring fossil fuel companies to the table for a good tongue-lashing and see what they are capable and committed to accomplishing to advance people and planetary health. We must hold them accountable under the glare of the world community. To go or stay home? The decision may be critical to global progress. The clock on global sustainability is ticking.

The post Why Fossil Fuel Industry Efforts Must be Monitored Before and During COP28 appeared first on Medika Life.

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Representatives from countries and companies will gather to address the global climate crisis for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). A platform for collaboration, COP28 will weigh strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change and achieve sustainability goals.

Sometimes, policy forums are just conversations without commitment, but COP28 is a critically important opportunity for action; policymakers, scientists, environmentalists, and global citizens must use the mega gathering to set net zero-related targets and implement policies to safeguard the planet’s future.

However, controversy over COP28’s meeting location may appear to steal focus from the meeting’s critical importance. Some applaud the decision to make Dubai the host city; others express deep reservations about the location.

That’s not the only objection. Dubai’s mixed human rights record has drawn additional criticism, raising deeper questions about the country’s commitment to the core elements of ESG – environment, social impact and governance.  Activists and environmental organizations argue that COP events should be held in locations that are positive role models, both socially and on behalf of climate action. Dubai is…problematic.

Dubai proponents say its choice provides an opportunity for dialogue and engagement with a region that must shift quickly toward change from fossil fuels to alternative economic foundations and clean energy. That community believes hosting COP28 in Dubai fosters discussion that could catalyze action and encourage cooperation in addressing climate issues.

This controversy highlights the complex intersection of climate politics, environmental concerns, and geopolitical considerations.  This angst *should* spark a global conversation about the role and responsibility of ALL cities and countries in shaping the future of our planet.

There is also serious concern from many environmental activists on the appointment of Sultan al-Jaber, the UAE minister for industry and technology, as COP28 president-designate, with significant ties to the country’s oil-producing sector.  At the same time, the UAE was the first Mideastern nation to ratify the Paris Climate Accords and committed to reaching net-zero emissions by the middle of the century. Their participation and potential to be a regional role model may be critical to our collective survival.

But that’s not all.  Dubai’s mixed human rights record has drawn criticism, raising questions about the country’s commitment to the core elements of ESG – environment, social and governance.  Activists and environmental organizations argue that COP events should be held in locations noted for positive climate change and net zero progress.  

Developed and Emerging Nations – Pointing Fingers

That discussion practically begs the question of every critic, “is it fair to point a finger at the United Arab Emirates without first looking in the mirror?” Those of us here in the US can’t forget that we don’t stand on any particular moral high ground.

We are one of the world’s largest producers of fossil fuels, extracting significant amounts of oil, natural gas and coal. While the United Arab Emirates is also a notable producer, it has a much smaller fossil fuel output. In the area of social justice, can we in the US tout an unparalleled record of social justice or racial and health equity? We are moving backwards on several human rights issues, including equitable access to health care and a woman’s right to choose. Both the UAE and US must address social injustice within their borders and make no excuses as they right their glaring wrongs.

Climate warming and the rapid pace of disasters don’t fall solely at the doorstep of Dubai.  We all own it and must engage.

There is more to the choice of Dubai than one-dimensional news stories and facile commentary focused on controversy to drive ratings and clicks would indicate. So why hold such a critical meeting in a location that opens the door to countless questions and concerns? Why not block out hotels in a country and city that exemplify virtue? 

Perhaps this is where United Nations organizers chose to reorient their focus – to look at commitment to change in achieving global net zero goals from this very region.

ESG materiality metrics – when companies or countries commit to the analysis – rarely point to stellar performance. They show strengths and weaknesses – they are rooted in a readiness to be part of the solution and own problems.  Dubai has what to improve.  So do other countries.

Climate Change Urgency is Global

Organizers may also want to remind us that climate change is not just local; it’s global and requires all of us to act. To succeed in mitigating harm to the planet, we need a collaborative effort that achieves critical mass.  We need the Middle East to engage and commit, the same as other regions. There is no alternative.

In hosting COP28 in a city like Dubai, the UN is raising awareness about what needs to be done in the Middle East to help fight climate change. This location and the conversation it engenders provide an opportunity to engage with powerful regional economic forces – businesses, governments and NGOs – that must join the dialogue and collaborate on climate-related issues. It must create a safe space for these countries whose single-focused oil economies must make dramatic changes faster.

This global challenge requires global solutions, and COP28 represents a crucial opportunity for nations to come together, strengthen commitments, and take decisive action toward a sustainable and resilient future for all. The choice of meeting location may have created controversy, but it’s a controversy that we need. People will debate and question the wisdom of UN leaders to agree to have Dubai host, but if that discussion results in the realization that a collaborative, global climate solution cannot be reached without the participation of all countries, than the choice of Dubai will have been worth it.

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