Israeli Innovators Lead at COP29 Amid U.S. Uncertainty on Climate Leadership

With the re-election of Donald Trump, many expect a shift in US climate policy, with potential rollbacks on critical regulations and incentives for renewable energy. This anticipated pivot has raised alarm among scientists, policymakers, and citizens worldwide, especially as extreme fires, floods, and destructive weather events increase in frequency and severity. Many of these global leaders are now gathering at the “Conference of the Parties” (COP), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) annual meeting, to advance urgent solutions to the climate crisis.

Amid this uncertain landscape, Israeli innovators have emerged as global leaders, developing cutting-edge technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help communities withstand climate-induced disasters. Showcased at Israel’s pavilion at COP29 in Baku, these innovations are attracting attention for their potential to reshape the future of climate mitigation and resilience. The pavilion serves not only as a platform to highlight Israeli advancements but also as a collaborative hub where experts can discuss scalable solutions to the climate crisis.

Israel’s dual focus on mitigation and adaptation strategies is especially relevant today. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience, Israel has positioned itself as a key player in the global climate arena. Years of investment and research have established Israel as a leading center for climate technology, with approximately 1,300 Israeli companies specializing in climate innovation and dozens more emerging each year.

Israel’s arid climate and its entrepreneurial spirit have catalyzed groundbreaking solutions in areas such as water management, sustainable agriculture, alternative proteins, renewable energy, carbon capture, and social innovation. These advancements are becoming increasingly relevant globally as the climate crisis intensifies.

Noteworthy Israeli Innovations on Display at COP29

The Israeli Innovation Authority has selected 20 pioneering Israeli climate-tech companies to represent the nation at COP29. These companies span diverse sectors—renewable energy, advanced agriculture, green construction, smart transportation, recycling, and carbon dioxide removal—all essential to combatting the climate crisis.

Highlights include:

• Airovation Technologies: A leader in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), Airovation has demonstrated a technology for low-carbon hydrogen production from methane. This approach has potential applications in heavy industries like fertilizer, concrete, and steel production. A key aspect of Airovation’s technology is its potential profitability without government subsidies, making it a promising solution for sustainable industrial processes. Airovation’s CEO & Founder Marat Maayan is excited about the firm’s future, as its innovations promise both economic and environmental benefits.

Marat Mayaan, CEO of Airovation-Technologies.com. Photo by and courtesy of JLM.

• Marine Edge: Marine Edge is developing a unique solution for reducing the fuel burn of ocean-going cargo vessels. Besides the obvious reduction in marine greenhouse gas emissions, the goal is for the technology to make economic sense, and thus to be attractive even without government mandates. For full disclosure, our family is so excited about this technology that we added it to our impact investing in climate solutions. I also interviewed their CEO in a previous blog.

COP29, the world’s largest climate conference, has attracted more than 100 heads of state and 40,000 participants, including representatives from government, the private sector, academia, and finance. The focus this year is on actionable solutions for reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to climate challenges—a mission that aligns perfectly with Israel’s dynamic contributions to the climate-tech space.

Israel’s pavilion exemplifies the nation’s commitment to innovation in tackling the climate crisis. For those interested in exploring the full list of featured Israeli companies, detailed information is available online.