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Based on its rich experience in developing cutting-edge technologies in such fields as water management, recycling and reuse of treated wastewater, desert agriculture and afforestation, the challenges presented by climate change may well serve as a lever to position Israel as a regional and global center of knowledge on adaptation to climate change. Dr. Yeshayahu Bar-Or, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, strongly believes that "in about 20 years, Europe will experience some of the conditions that Israel faces today. Therefore, Israel has a great deal to offer to the international community in terms of technologies for effluent irrigation, combating desertification, agriculture and forestation in desert conditions and salinity reduction."

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an especially difficult challenge in Israel, a country undergoing economic growth against a backdrop of continuous increases in both population and energy consumption. Yet Israel is determined to address the difficulties. Current efforts are concentrating on assessing greenhouse gas emissions under different scenarios while identifying the steps necessary to reduce these emissions in an economically viable manner. Among the measures which have already been proposed are energy savings, both in buildings and in street lighting, by means of energy efficient light bulbs. Also on the agenda are energy conservation, energy efficiency in power plants, industrial plants and residential buildings, clean public transport and more.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection is advancing an integrated policy aimed at reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants. Two parallel developments are helping to meet these objectives: the accession process to the OECD, which is already catalyzing Israel to adopt environmental policies and meet environmental standards that are effective and economically efficient.

The emphasis of Israel's climate change mitigation plan and adaptation plan will be on reducing economic, social and ecological damages, on the one hand, and exploiting opportunities by developing innovative technologies and exporting expertise, on the other hand. After 2012, Israel may well be subject to formal commitments for greenhouse gas reductions, but hopefully, it will also have much to contribute to the world community in terms of technology to meet the challenges of climate change.
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