Latest from the Good Energy Initiative

The Good Energy Initiative (GEI) [5] is a task force established by the Heschel Center which acts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) production and emissions, and to support energy independence for Israel by means of energy efficiency and alternative technologies.

The GEI is the only active voluntary carbon offsetting body in Israel. It is a social venture with an economic investment approach, in which revenue is channeled into non-profit social/environmental activities. Local and overseas organisations who are interested in reducing or offsetting carbon emissions generated by their activities can invest in a GEI project which enables communities in Israel to make simple changes to reduce their carbon emissions, as well as making their environment cleaner and healthier.

Examples of some current and planned GEI projects are:

• Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) for Private Homes in Lower Income Neighborhoods. Currently, 95% of Israel's private homes use inefficient incandescent lamps. We reduce electricity consumption by subsidizing compact fluorescents for consumers who would never cross the initial cost barrier.
• De-centralized clean power production. Replacing expensive and  polluting diesel power generators with clean, renewable solar power in unrecognized off-grid Bedouin villages in the Negev desert. The Bedouin project aims to offset 11,000 tons of carbon dioxide, as well as creating a multitude of social and environmental benefits in one of the poorest communities in Israel.
• Biodiesel in School Buses/Forklifts. Burning diesel fuel exposes users to direct pollutants, in addition to the problem of fossil GHG production. Using locally produced bio-fuel at 20%-100% blends in school bus fleets in two interested regional councils, and in forklifts of environmentally managed factories, will help curb carbon emissions at 1 ton per 350 liters of fuel. The project will also aid in creating a market for this very new alternative fuel in Israel.
• Planting 1,000,000 Trees in Tel-Aviv Metropolitan Area. Although tree planting is a less popular means of carbon offsetting due to the risk of carbon leakage, the GEI uses planting projects because of the major additional benefits including direct and indirect cooling, pollutant sequestering, and protection of green public open spaces. The project includes cooperation with local authorities and professional planting operators – and holds a carbon potential of 7500 tons of CO2 per 10,000 trees.
• Garbage Seperating Squads. Coupling students and unemployed youth with municipalities and contractors seeking to reduce their waste volume, we train, dress and employ teams of workers to reduce the waste stream and recycle energy intensive products including glass, metal, wood, cement and plastics – slashing energy inputs from importing and from melting raw materials (aluminum at 95%, glass at 65%). Turning methane producing organic waste into valuable compost accounts for more carbon credits in certain cases.
• Recycling gases and Waste Heat Recovery in 2 energy factories. Waste heat recovery and fuel efficiency are relatively new concepts for the Israeli industry. Projects that enhance efficiency and use the waste heat for positive purposes require a kick-start, and a funding bridge. Selling carbon credits is a way of moving obviously needed action-plans into actions. We are currently planning to install an excess gas burner that would save a recycling facility 15 tons of fossil fuel/month at current capacities – generation over 4000 tons of offset credits in the coming years, and a WHR plant in a large industrial plant (quantities still being measured).

Project Certification and Credit Marketing

Projects are peer-viewed and critiqued by a panel of specialists in the fields of sustainability, carbon biology and project planning and management. Suitable projects including M&V plans and insurance carbon pools are accredited the "Shomer Aklim" status (Climate Guard).

Each of these projects has its own degree of social benefits, physical appearance, and verifiability. Tailoring carbon offsetting to suit the producer's values, standpoints and preferences are an important component of the process.

For more information or to join the Good Energy Initiative [6], please contact
goodenergy@heschel.org.il [7]

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Website: The Good Energy Initiative (GEI) [9]