Israel is experiencing rapid population growth of around 2% per year1 and the government plans to build 1.5 million new homes by 2040.10 Ensuring the highest possible energy efficiency of these new dwellings will be crucial to bringing the buildings sector in line with 1.5°C pathways.
According to our analysis, the building sector CO₂ emissions should fall to around 1 MtCO₂e (a third from current direct CO₂ emissions) by 2030. The Israeli building sector already has a high level of electrification around 84% in 2019. To be 1.5 compatible, the share of electrification in the buildings sector need to increase to 88–96% by 2030 and 96–99% by 2050. Emissions reductions from the sector will therefore be achieved through the decarbonisation of the country’s electricity generation (see the power section).
The Israeli government has introduced a Green Buildings Standard which mandates new buildings to adhere to certain environmental standards.11 Stronger emissions limits and financial incentives for energy efficiency renovations would complement the standard and further the building sector decarbonisation.8
1 Government Of Israel. National Action Plan on Climate Change. 2021.
2 Gütschow, J. et al. The PRIMAP-hist national historical emissions time series. Earth System Science Data vol. 8 2016.
3 Arlosoroff, M. Israel’s Population Is Growing at a Dizzying Rate. Is It Up for the Challenge? HAARETZ. 2021.
4 Israel. UPDATE OF ISRAEL’S NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION UNDER THE PARIS AGREEMENT. UNFCCC. 2021. Preprint at unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/NDC%20update%20as%20submitted%20to%20the%20UNFCCC.docx
5 Ivanova, A. Israel devises plan for 40% renewables in 2030. Renewables Now. 2022.
6 Surkes, S. The sun is shining, so why isn’t Israel making hay of its solar energy? The Times of Israel. 2021.
7 Ministry of Environmental Protection. The Finance Committee discussed the framework of a pricing mechanism on carbon, following a government decision on the issue. 2021.
8 Ministry of Environmental Protection. Ministry unveils new waste strategy that is both environmental and economic. 2021.
9 Ministry of Energy. The Israeli government set to approve an unprecedented decision mandating that by the year 2050 Israel will move to a low carbon emissions economy, while dealing with the climate crisis that threatens all of humanity. 2021.
10 Accelerating Climate Action in Israel. OECD, 2020. doi:10.1787/fb32aabd-en.
11 Brode, B. Green construction is the new standard in Israel. The Times of Israel. 2022.
12 Ministry of Environmental Protection. ISRAEL’S THIRD NATIONAL COMMUNICATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. UNFCCC. 2018. Preprint at unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/UNFCCC%20National%20Communication%202018.pdf (2018).
13 Schmidt, B. Israel unveils plans to go 100 per cent electric by 2030. The Driven. 2018.
Israelʼs energy mix in the buildings sector
petajoule per year
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Oil and e-fuels
- Biofuel
- Biogas
- Biomass
- Hydrogen
- Electricity
- Heat
Israelʼs buildings sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
- Historical emissions
- SSP1 High CDR reliance
- SSP1 Low CDR reliance
- High energy demand - Low CDR reliance
- Low energy demand
1.5°C compatible buildings sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, heat and biomass in the buildings final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Israel
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | Decarbonised buildings sector by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct CO₂ emissions MtCO₂/yr | 3 | 1 | 0 to 1 | 0 | 2029 to 2034 |
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of electricity Percent | 84 | 88 to 96 | 95 to 96 | 96 to 99 |
Share of heat Percent | 9 | 0 to 2 | 1 to 26 | 3 to 42 |
Share of hydrogen Percent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 to 1 |