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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Israel

Israel faces significant climate change impacts as a 'hotspot' and 'desert threshold' country, with temperatures rising 0.6°C per decade, declining precipitation, rising sea levels by 14.9 cm in 19 years, and increasing extreme weather. Air quality remains stable per database trends, while sustainability efforts include Paris Agreement commitments for 27% GHG reduction by 2030. Water scarcity drives desalination expansion, and policies target emissions cuts amid low forest cover.

Air Quality Index

Good

7.0/10

Stable trend

Air quality in Israel shows a stable 6-month trend per database. Major sources include fuel combustion and energy industry. Public concern over air pollution linked to climate change is high, with religious divides in attitudes noted in recent surveys.

Water Quality

Excellent

8.5/10

Israel maintains high drinking water standards through extensive desalination, increasing from 351 MCM in 2014-2015 to 645 MCM in 2018, then stabilizing. Climate change exacerbates droughts and drying water sources, but treatment ensures safety. Access to clean water is near-universal via monitoring.

Desalination covers significant supply; strict standards prevent health risks despite scarcity.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure details limited in available data (rate N/A per database). Efforts tied to broader waste management in sustainability policies amid rising GHG emissions.

Green Spaces

Protected areas support biodiversity amid desertification risks. Forest coverage low at around 7%, with climate-driven challenges like reduced precipitation. National parks help mitigate habitat loss from sea level rise and warming.

Forest Coverage: 7.0%

Efforts focus on adaptation to sea level rise projected to 5m by 2150, impacting coastal ecosystems.

Environmental Policies

Israel commits to Paris Agreement NDC: 27% absolute GHG reduction by 2030 vs. 2015 (cap 58 MtCO2e), 85% by 2050. Per capita target 7.7 tCO2e by 2030. GHG emissions at 77.415 MtCO2e in 2023, down 1.5% from 2015.

Key Policies:

•Paris Agreement NDC
•GHG emissions reduction targets

Renewable Energy: Focus on mitigation despite low overall emissions; fossil CO2 declining via coal phase-down.

Natural Disaster Risk

MODERATE

Israel experiences droughts, heatwaves, and floods. Earthquake risk due to tectonics; wildfires possible. Government uses Israel Meteorological Service for monitoring.

droughtsheatwavesfloodsearthquakes

Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 0.6°C per decade last 30 years (vs. global 0.22°C), more hot days/nights, rainfall decline in volume/frequency, sea level +14.9 cm past 19 years, projected +5m by 2150. Increased extreme weather, desertification, evaporation. Over 10-20 years: consistent warming, delayed rains, intensified droughts/heatwaves per IMS data.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Declining fossil CO2 via coal phase-down and oil reductions; methane curbing targeted. Supports NDC goals.

Climate Monitoring

Israel Meteorological Service leads observations; reports on rain intensities 1970-2024 and climate computer project.

Desalination Expansion

Increased capacity to combat drought: 43% rise 2014-2015 to 2018.

Wildlife & Nature

Persian Fallow DeerVulnerable

Nubian IbexVulnerable

Griffon VultureNear Threatened

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