Germany, Israel to fight pollution together

Environmental Protection Minister Gideon Ezra met with his German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel, on Monday as part of Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit here. The two discussed air pollution and climate change, encouraging recycling, dealing with waste, and rehabilitating rivers, according to a statement released after the meeting. Gabriel said he intended to return with a working team in the summer to further cooperation. In the meantime, a cooperative program would be put together. The plan would address several issues, including a plan to reduce greenhouse gases by sector in Israel, creating a voluntary system for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, cooperating to sell emissions credits, a seminar on how to burn coal cleanly, cooperating to prevent cross border pollution, and information exchange about dealing with the pollution from Ramat Hovav.