Israel Must Prioritize Climate Security in New Government's National Strategy
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
A new OECD report reveals a 146% increase in the economic cost of climate disasters, urging governments to integrate climate security into national strategies. Israel is identified as particularly vulnerable to drought intensification. The article calls for a new Climate Law, integrating climate risks into investment decisions and budgets, and strengthening infrastructure and supply chains. These actions are crucial for ensuring national security amidst changing environmental conditions, with decisions needing immediate attention.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Climate-related disasters cost OECD and partner countries an average of $249 billion annually, a 146% increase since the late 1990s.
- Israel is identified as a Mediterranean nation facing severe drought intensification by the end of the century.
- The article urges the new Israeli government to make climate security a core component of its national security doctrine.
- Key recommendations include enacting a Climate Law, integrating climate risks into investment and budget decisions, and bolstering infrastructure resilience.
- Israel's reliance on imports makes its supply chains vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions in other countries.
- Decisions on climate adaptation and security must be made now, as preparation takes years.
A new OECD report highlights the escalating economic costs of climate-related disasters, averaging $249 billion annually for OECD and partner countries between 2021-2025, a 146% real increase from 1994-1998. This surge reflects both more extreme weather events and greater exposure of assets. The report specifically identifies Israel, along with Greece, Spain, and Turkey, as Mediterranean nations facing the most severe drought intensification by the end of the century under high emission scenarios. Climate impacts on health, labor productivity, food production, energy, and supply chains are significant.
Israeli meteorological research corroborates these concerns, indicating stronger short-term rainfall events, particularly in coastal areas, alongside a potential decrease in annual rainfall. This presents a dual challenge: preparing for water scarcity and managing intense downpours that strain drainage and infrastructure. The country has established reference scenarios for heatwaves and floods, developed with the Meteorological Service and the National Emergency Management Authority, to prepare for severe, plausible events that threaten lives and disrupt transportation and infrastructure.
The article argues that this knowledge must inform the new government's coalition negotiations and policy decisions. Climate security, defined as the ability to ensure water, food, electricity, health, and functional continuity under changing conditions, needs to be a core commitment. Infrastructure built today will operate mid-century, necessitating investments that account for evolving climate risks to avoid costly retrofits and economic disruptions.
Three key steps are proposed: 1. A Climate Law mandating regular national risk assessments, government and local authority action plans, defined responsibilities, and timelines for emission reduction and adaptation. It also requires a professional infrastructure for measuring damages and assessing economic impacts, with public reporting on budgets, execution, and results. 2. Integrating climate risk assessments into public investment evaluations and the first budget, with a multi-year budget framework for drainage, water and electricity systems, health and welfare facilities, and agriculture. Resources should also be allocated to local authorities based on their exposure and capacity, ensuring equitable protection for residents. 3. Strengthening infrastructure and supply chain resilience. Israel's reliance on food and raw material imports makes it vulnerable to disruptions abroad, as seen with wheat and corn imports primarily from Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, and the U.S. Diversifying supply sources and boosting local production are crucial, alongside ensuring backup systems for infrastructure during heatwaves, floods, or security threats.
The article concludes that coalition negotiations are the opportune moment to translate this knowledge into legal and budgetary commitments, making climate security an integral part of the new government's national security doctrine from its inception. Preparation takes years, and decisions must be made now.