In summary of Tu B’Shvat, the Ministry of Environmental Protection presents the investments, initiatives, and actions it has promoted in recent years to cool the urban space in Israel, through planting trees in public spaces, particularly in areas suffering from extreme urban heat island phenomena.
Idit Silman, Minister of Environmental Protection: “This year’s Tu B’Shvat was marked by a celebration of environmental action – trees are a natural climate solution, and the Ministry supports the planting of thriving trees in needed places, on hot boulevards, in kindergartens, and on shaded sidewalks, all to cool the cities, reduce heat loads, and improve quality of life.”
Over the past year, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has promoted dozens of urban cooling programs through tree planting in areas suffering from extreme heat loads. In the past year, the Ministry allocated over NIS 55 million to 14 local authorities, including authorities in the Eastern Negev (Arad, Dimona, Mitzpe Ramon, and Yeruham), Sderot, Netivot, Ofakim, Ashkelon, Nazareth, Yafia, Arraba, Umm al-Fahm, Rahat, Kseifa. This support is in addition to the Ministry’s support in recent years, totaling approximately NIS 22 million to 21 local authorities, with the aim of creating new green lungs in settlements where most of the public space is exposed to the sun.
In the coming months, a planting pilot will be completed in the cities of Eilat, Rehovot, Be’er Sheva, Beitar Illit, Haifa, Acre, Kfar Saba, and Herzliya.
In addition to the support, the Ministry, in cooperation with the “Derech Tzel” (Shade Path) organization of the Israel Green Building Council, established a dedicated support system for authorities from the Arab community that received Ministry support for writing plans and carrying out pilots. The initiative provides authorities with tools for proper planning of plantings, for selecting climate-appropriate trees, and for integrating them into existing urban infrastructure, along with guidance in the professional and in-depth process.
On the occasion of Tu B’Shvat, planting ceremonies were held this week in Sderot and Be’er Sheva. Today (03/02), the annual conference of “Derech Tzel No’atim Tzel” (Shade Path Plants Shade) will be held at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, with a dedicated session for Arab authorities that received Ministry support.
Planting trees in urban areas is not just symbolic – but a proven climate solution that reduces heat loads in urban areas. Trees reduce ambient temperature by approximately up to four degrees, provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, help purify the air, and contribute to the residents’ mental well-being.
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