The highest priority for Energiya Global is to bring the blessings of renewable energy to the developing world, particularly to sub-Sahara Africa. While we were not featured in the Israeli pavilion, it was very satisfying to see the large posters of our solar fields at the Rwanda and Burundi pavilions.

In addition, one of the key meetings I had at the conference was with the World Council of Churches, which would like to extend climate financing to Jewish individuals and institutions, on a modest level, in order to advance solar projects in the developing world.

I should note that while Israel’s emphasis on climate tech solutions is very nice and productive, it hides the fact that Israel’s own emission reduction goals are minimal and Israel is a bad actor on the international stage when it comes to methane.

During COP29, I had the privilege of speaking on 16 occasions at a range of sessions, at press conferences and public advocacy events, at a synagogue in Baku, and to journalists and YouTubers. [See links below.]

At the conference, I had conversations with people involved in philanthropy and religion, and with ecology NGOs, about a campaign to convene, equip, and activate religious leaders in a range of countries to pressure their governments to increase the national climate ambition in the lead-up to COP30. Religious communities have the potential to significantly influence climate policy, and politicians take notice of their engagement due to their perceived authenticity, voter influence, and trusted leadership.

COP29 was the first conference to recognize the need for trillions of dollars in climate finance for developing countries in order to make a real impact. Previous discussions focused on millions or billions of dollars.

It has also been wonderful to see the evolution regarding increasing roles of religious voices on the need to accelerate climate justice, financing, and to stop burning fossil fuels. We have worked with OLAM partner Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development to bring Jewish voices to the climate conferences; together, we initiated the first Faith Pavilion at COP28 last year. This year in Baku, I was happy to play a cheerleading role, as Rabbi Yonatan Neril assembled four gatherings of indigenous leaders in a compelling and colorful presentation. The subtext of this was that the moderating rabbi of the panel also comes from an indigenous people, which is such an important corrective in the progressive world that sent many delegates to COP29 wearing keffiyehs in solidarity with Gaza, without a mention of October 7th or Israel's hostages.

Despite Israel’s emphasis on climate tech solutions, its own emission reduction goals remain minimal, and the country continues to act poorly on the international stage regarding methane emissions.

Unfortunately, many countries, including Israel, attempted to avoid making difficult decisions to reduce emissions by 10% annually for the next five years, as required by the UN to keep global temperature rise around 1.5°C.

Spirituality: I believe the climate crisis is a spiritual crisis with spiritual roots, and that it includes humanity's unchecked pursuit of material pleasure and consumption. Jewish teachings advocate consuming in moderation, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from spirituality, community, and family. By embracing these values, we can cultivate a more conscious and intentional approach to consumption.

To confront this ultimate challenge for human civilization, we must raise our collective spiritual awareness and maturity... achieving a sustainable planet will require humanity to operate at higher levels of spiritual consciousness.

Ultimately, these necessary spiritual solutions will require the active involvement of faith, religious leaders, and communities.

Toward the end of each recent COP, I walk thru the national pavilions humming a song written by Rabbi Oded Mazor of Kol Haneshama in Jerusalem, celebrating the verses in the Bible promoting the Sabbatical year. I do this is a private protest against the hypocrisy of almost every country present, trying to put on a green face when the truth is much darker.

This year I took two actions with a video of that song: I placed it near a microphone during a session, as a Jewish spiritual response to the lack of action, and I also played it to symbolize a Jewish vision of what is lacking in the policies as the world hurtles way past 1.5 degrees, with all its implications on humanity and on all living things.

COP29 took place as a record five typhoons tore through the Phillipines, and two hurricanes, Helene and Milton, impacted millions of people and countless other species in the American south. Coming just before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, when Jews engage in spiritual introspection, these hurricanes serve as a wake-up call to the ecological crises we collectively face.

Unfortunately, many religious adherents believe religion is disconnected from ecology and climate change. As a result Torah, Bible, and Quaran teachers do not tend to relate to the greatest crisis facing humanity today. I’m working to harness the power of clergy and faith communities as change agents for climate action.

Jewish wisdom emphasizes foresight and long-term thinking. The Talmud teaches that one who is wise can see the consequences of their actions. We must prioritize the well-being of both the present and future generations above expanding our own standard of living. Spiritual awareness can help us recognize the link between our actions and the climate crisis, while cultivating foresight, concern, and change.

Jewish tradition also embodies hope. As UK Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks (z"l) wrote, “Hope is a human virtue, but one with religious underpinnings... it is the belief... [that God] is mindful of our aspirations... [and] has given us the means to save us from ourselves... Hope is the knowledge that we can... learn from our mistakes and act differently next time.”

Jewish mysticism (Kabbala) speaks about an awakening from above, referring to divine help, and an awakening from below, referring to humans efforts and spiritual work. While some people of faith believe that God alone will resolve the ecological crisis, this perspective neglects humanity's shared responsibility.

May we awaken and take action - spiritually and physically - to restore balance to our shared home, planet Earth.