Source: Trend International Information Agency
Within the framework of COP29 in Baku, AMI Trend presents a special project COP for Hope. This project provides a unique opportunity to hear the voices of world leaders, country leaders and pioneers in various fields – politics, economics, science and ecology, united by a common goal: confronting the climate challenges of our time.
Our interlocutor today is the head of the foreign policy department of the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Batsion Bendavid Gerstman.
In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Gerstman expressed hope that COP29 will be successful, noting that Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, in particular, has taken two very important steps, Day.Az reports.
“Firstly, negotiations are taking place on all the broad issues that are important to everyone. We have witnessed all the energy initiatives put forward by the chairmanship on hydrogen, on storage and green energy zones. And we are very happy about this. Secondly, Azerbaijan brought complex issues to the table. The idea of a New Collective Quantitative Target for Finance is complex, but when it comes to action and allocation of money, the conversation becomes a little more difficult. Don’t be afraid to put this topic on the agenda. - an important and bold choice.
This is just the beginning, so we are waiting for the results of these negotiations. Innovation and climate technology, which are important to us, are also one of the topics. Therefore, we look forward to a successful agreement,” she added.
Gerstman noted that countries are here with their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).
“The more we are open about where we are, and the more we are not afraid to admit that this is a challenge and that it will not be easy, the easier it will be for us to succeed as we move on to our next NDCs.
Not being afraid to be open and talk about our challenges is the only way we can find solutions to what we need together,” she said.
Gerstman noted that Israel’s key message at COP29 is one of innovation and cooperation.
“These are the ways forward, and this is what we also hope to see from our colleagues,” she added.
In addition, she noted that Israel has a number of priorities at COP29.
“The first, obviously, as for everyone here, is to achieve our renewable energy goals. Israel is largely rich in solar energy, and some wind energy. The country has no hydropower. So the work is very significant. We need to expand our solar energy. We need to expand storage to have all the solar energy on our grid. This is one very big priority. We are glad to be here to benefit from the experience of our colleagues, and also to show what we can offer,” Gerstman said.
She said the second priority is innovation.
“Israel is a small country. We don’t have many natural resources, but we have a lot of innovation and innovative solutions on energy and climate in general. We have innovative solutions for storage, agriculture, food, even textiles and processing. On COP29 brought representatives from 20 innovative companies from Israel, and we are presenting their technologies at the conference because we know that what has helped us can also help others. One example that Israel is very proud of is that Israel has developed many capabilities. desalination. Next week, the President of Israel will be here at a joint event with Azerbaijan to talk about this,” Gerstman said.
She added that the third priority, at least for the Israeli Ministry of Energy, is connectivity and regional cooperation.
“Because net zero problems cannot be solved alone. We need to share information, collaborate with finance and infrastructure,” she said.
Speaking about cooperation in the field of green energy, Gerstman said that Azerbaijan is a wonderful partner.
“We usually talk about this on two levels. One of them is information exchange. Azerbaijan is already working on a corridor to supply electricity to Europe, and we want to take advantage of this experience. It is also important to determine where Israeli solutions can help solve Azerbaijan’s problems and vice versa If innovation and infrastructure exist to overcome these challenges, then bringing our countries and companies together will allow us to collaborate effectively and create new opportunities for everyone,” she concluded.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Batsion Bendavid Gerstman, Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
Editor: Good day, Batsion. Thank you for joining us today. As one of the key figures at COP29, can you share what you believe are the most crucial outcomes expected from this conference?
Gerstman: Thank you for having me. COP29 is critical, and I believe it presents an opportunity for unprecedented collaboration. Under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, we’ve made significant strides by addressing vital issues such as energy initiatives related to hydrogen and green energy zones. It’s about bringing innovative solutions to the forefront and ensuring that complex topics like the New Collective Quantitative Target for Finance remain central to our discussions.
Editor: That’s fascinating! You mentioned the importance of transparency regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Why do you think openness about challenges is essential for success?
Gerstman: Openness is crucial because it fosters trust and collaboration among countries. By acknowledging our challenges, we can work together to find collective solutions. It’s not just about presenting achievements; it’s about understanding where we stand and being willing to admit that the road ahead is challenging. This, in turn, prepares us for a more productive dialogue around our next NDCs.
Editor: Innovation plays a significant role in Israel’s approach to climate action. Can you elaborate on what specific innovations Israel is working on to achieve its renewable energy goals?
Gerstman: Absolutely. Israel is incredibly rich in solar energy potential, and our priority is to harness that. We need to significantly scale up our solar energy production and enhance our storage capabilities to integrate more of this renewable source into our grid effectively. By sharing best practices and learning from others at COP29, we believe we can advance our objectives considerably.
Editor: Speaking of sharing experiences, how do you view the role of international cooperation at COP29, and what are your hopes for collaboration with other nations?
Gerstman: International cooperation is essential. My hope is that countries will come together not just to share resources but to engage in meaningful dialogue. Israel’s key message here is one of innovation and cooperation. We believe that through collaboration, we can address the pressing climate challenges we face. Learning from each other’s successes and failures can make a substantial difference.
Editor: You mentioned earlier that Israel has limited natural resources. How does this limitation impact your approach to climate innovation and technology?
Gerstman: Our lack of natural resources actually drives us towards innovation. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all. We have cultivated a robust tech ecosystem focused on developing sustainable solutions. This spirit of innovation enables us to create technologies that can not only help Israel but potentially provide solutions for other nations facing similar challenges.
Editor: as COP29 progresses, what is your key message to the participating nations, especially in view of the climate challenges we face?
Gerstman: My key message is to embrace innovation and cooperation as we confront these challenges. It’s crucial that we approach these discussions with an open mind and a willingness to take bold actions. Together, we can turn the challenges posed by climate change into opportunities for growth and technological advancement. Let’s not shy away from difficult conversations; that’s the path towards real solutions.
Editor: Thank you, Batsion. It’s been enlightening to hear your insights. We look forward to seeing how the discussions at COP29 unfold and the positive impact they will have on our global climate efforts.
Gerstman: Thank you for having me. I look forward to a fruitful conference!