Climate Change

Paths to Sustainability –
NGO Coalition on Sustainable Development and Climate Change

New: "Israel and Climate Change - Policy Document" 
Paths to Sustainability Report VII, April 2009

Paths to Sustainability is an active coalition of Israeli environmental and social NGOs, which initially began its organizational cooperation on sustainable development issues and efforts to impact and promote relevant Israeli policies before the Johannesburg Earth Summit in 2002. The coalition, originally formed to produce a shadow report for the Summit itself, has been active ever since and is instrumental in raising awareness and adapting policies striving to attain more sustainable forms of development and improve Israel's stance regarding climate change issues.  

The coalition's efforts surrounding the Johannesburg summit bore fruit as the government passed a formal decision on sustainable development in 2003, and a general directors' inter-ministerial committee was formed to address the issue. Coalition representatives are also members of this committee. 

Using a variety of strategies, including production of written reports, meetings with senior officials and intensive media work, the coalition continues to push toward a more cohesive approach to sustainability by government, as well as keeping it on track in responding to international developments and agreements concerning global warming and the climate crisis. Despite the government decision, de facto policies on a wide scope of issues do not adhere to principles of sustainable development and often contradict them. While some of the ministries produced sustainability strategy documents that incorporated the NGOs' suggestions and input, their actual work plans and budgets don't necessarily follow these guidelines.

The Coalition, therefore, has been focusing on critiquing the implementation (or lack thereof) of the ministerial strategic plans over the past few years. The main monitoring tool was by scrutiny of the annual National Budget, through which actual plans to be implemented can be detected and analyzed with regard to their sustainability aspects and impacts.

In 2007, Life & Environment and the Heinrich Böll Foundation increased the efforts to generate joint action and networking of the organizations on climate change issues. Several meetings and workshops were held with professional facilitation and guidance. As part of these efforts, the format of the coalition's annual report changed. The 2008-9 report intends to bind position papers contributed by the coalition member organizations, all focused on critiquing government policies on issues affecting climate change.

2009 Climate Change Activities

In 2009, Copenhagen will host the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP15). This event will be a peak of activity, as it is anticipated to be a critical point of reference regarding the way nations of the world address climate change, and determine ambitious targets for a global climate agreement for the period following the Kyoto Protocol. The Israeli Government is planning the attendance of a large delegation at the conference.

The coalition works to generate a more cohesive approach to sustainability in government policy. During 2009, it therefore intends to continue its collaborative efforts and activities addressing governmental policies with particular emphasis on climate change, focusing on preparations for the Copenhagen Conference:

§         Continuous coordination of the coalition's member organizations and networking efforts, including meetings and regular updates.

§         Compiling of a bi-monthly e-newsletter of relevant news and activities.

§         Meetings with policymakers and participation in committees, conferences and forums on climate change, voicing the position of civil society.

§         Preparation of a joint position paper on behalf of Israeli NGOs to the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP15) in Copenhagen.

§         Developing and maintaining contacts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign embassies in Israel and international bodies such as the UNFCCC and international NGO climate campaigns.

§         Efforts will be made to send a substantial NGO delegation to Copenhagen, including representatives of numerous organizations, and hold a side event in the Climate Conference.

For more background information click here.

 For further information contact: sagit@sviva.net

Reports and Publications:

"Paths to Sustainability" Coalition Annual Reports:

Israel and Climate Change - Risks and Economic Opportunities - Policy Document
Paths to Sustainability Report VII, April 2009

The Government of Israel and Climate Change – Complying with Government Decisions and Meeting International Obligations, January 2008

Paths to Sustainability V

Israel 2007 National Budget and the Government's Policy of Sustainable Development, December 2006

Position-Paper

Non-Sustainable Development in Israel, April 2007