As delegates from almost every country arrive in Scottland for the global climate summit or COP26, to reach a decision to help tackle the climate change, leaders from around the globe take the chance to reflect on the factors affecting climate change and update their plans to reduce carbon emissions.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, in his address to the world leaders at the global climate summit 2021, referred to the Israeli occupation as a critical treat to the Palestinian environment.
Arriving at Glasgow for the climate summit, Shtayyeh ahead of his speech tweeted, “With leaders from across the world, we’ll explore avenues of mutual cooperation to protect our precious planet. We’re here today to tell the world that the Israeli occupation is the most critical long-term threat to the Palestinian environment.”
Highlighting Israel’s environmental violations in Palestine, Shtayyeh said, “Israel’s colonial measures that target land, trees, and water resources call for an immediate cessation of these attacks. Around 2.5 million trees have been uprooted since 1967.”
“The way in which waste is treated by Israel, particularly toxic waste, as well as solid waste, are the principal causes of pollution in Palestine.” He further added that 95 percent of the groundwater in Gaza remains contaminated.
According to a report by B’Tselem, the Israeli information center for human rights, untreated wastewater has led to the extinction of several animals including deer, rabbits, and foxes. The natural vegetation around the area of the raw wastewater has also disappeared. The wastewater has led to the contamination of crops and in the long term will result in the infertility of the agricultural land.
Speaking on Palestine’s action to reduce emissions, Shtayyeh reported that public institutes use solar energy for electricity generation, and the state plans to further this project by extending the use of solar energy in 500 schools and all other educational facilities.
He added that the Palestinian Authority is working on a number of public plans and projects for sustainable development through green and clean energy.
“In cooperation with our international partners, Palestinians are making a great effort in wastewater treatment and renewable energy. For this to succeed, the Palestinian people must control their land and water along with their national and natural resources.”