Global warming and extreme temperature changes are on the rise, leading to unprecedented heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes. The Middle East is suffering heavily from climate change, with heat peaks sometimes reaching 50 degrees Celsius. In the coming decade, these temperatures could become the norm during summer months. Consequently, desertification has emerged as a major global challenge in recent years. Deserts cover more than 40% of the Earth's surface and already house over 20% of the global population. By 2025, 1.8 billion people are expected to experience "total water scarcity," and the devastating consequences of desertification will manifest in damage to biodiversity, socio-economic stability, and sustainable development.
To address the climate challenges, the Israeli initiative DeserTech was established four and a half years ago by the Merage Foundation Israel, the Israeli Innovation Institute, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and Ben Gurion University of the Negev. It promotes the development, adaptation, and commercialization of technologies for sustainable living in arid regions, transforming the Negev into a global entrepreneurial hub for these technologies.
"Our goal is to develop the economy in the Negev through Israeli technological solutions that can also be applied to regions of the world affected by extreme desert climates, water scarcity, and arid land conditions that make agriculture impossible. We also help Israeli startups grow in the Negev," explains Sivan Cohen Shachari, head of the entrepreneurial hub at DeserTech.
Partnerships to Evolve Technologies
Building on existing technological research from Ben Gurion University and its Desert Research Institutes, regional R&D centers, and major companies in sustainable agriculture, energy, water, and infrastructure, DeserTech bridges connections with startups from around the world. These companies, based in countries like England or Netherlands, don't have deserts but wish to develop their technologies in arid regions. DeserTech helps them establish pilot projects in the Negev so that their technology can be utilized in Israel. This collaboration increases the income of Negev farmers, who work together with foreign startups.
DeserTech also supports private and public organizations in implementing innovation through networking events, a CEO forum, mentorship programs, and international conferences and seminars focused on developing and adapting technologies that address desert challenges.
"We create partnerships with startups, investors, international organizations, and researchers, and we find the most compatible projects to meet their expectations," says Sivan.
Notably, DeserTech has developed a project with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in the Sahara countries of Africa. A delegation from Nigeria was invited to Israel in March 2023 for a week.
"It was a complicated process because Israel does not have diplomatic relations with African countries, but it was an interesting challenge. They observed how we cope with desert conditions and noted the solutions they can export. Around twenty projects were conceptualized afterward with a representative from Africa and one from Israel. We helped them connect with investment funds so that our solutions can be applied and promoted in Africa," Sivan asserts.
About 9 months ago, DeserTech established an innovation center to accelerate startups focused on developing new technologies and helping new companies thrive in the market. The DeserTech and Climate Innovation Center was founded by the Merage Foundation, InNegev, Israel Innovation Institute, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Group19, after winning the Israel Innovation Authority and few ministries' tender to establish innovation centers in the periphery of Israel.
"Today, we know the average temperature in the Negev, but in ten years, we know the climate will be different. We need to address this issue now to adapt technologies to extreme temperatures, with durable materials and sun-friendly constructions," says Sivan.
DeserTech primarily focuses on the Middle East, as it is a sensitive area that will undergo significant climate changes, but also on European countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and Greece, where the effects of global warming are already being felt.
"What we have been experiencing in Israel for years—with few rainy days or precipitation occurring over short periods, heatwaves, and wildfires—is now being observed in Europe. Africa and the Mediterranean region are also areas where we are focusing on exporting our technologies," Sivan states.
According to her, Israel is an important leader on the international scene in terms of innovations against climate change, particularly due to the pragmatic nature of Israelis.
"We think quickly and carry out tasks swiftly. We are very efficient because we are escaping a difficult reality of war, but also because we are an 'island country'; we have to take care of our own development. We can't really rely on others, so we must create everything ourselves to move forward; however, without cooperation with abroad, we won't be able to prosper. Partnerships are essential for our growth," Sivan concluded.
Caroline Haiat
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