The Ministry of Environmental Protection approved financial support and professional guidance for 11 local authorities, totaling approximately 16.7 million shekels, to strengthen their preparedness for climate change.
Climate change brings direct challenges to the daily lives of all residents of Israel, with extreme events such as floods and extreme heatwaves expected to worsen in the coming decades. The support is intended to help authorities prepare for heatwaves, deal with the phenomenon of urban heat islands, and reduce emissions. All of this will be done through shading and cooling of public spaces, promoting renewable energy infrastructure in buildings, establishing drainage infrastructure, and strengthening community resilience.
Idit Silman, Minister of Environmental Protection: “Climate change is a national and international challenge, but preparedness begins here, in our cities and communities. The Ministry of Environmental Protection is investing in green infrastructure and the development of innovative solutions that will strengthen local authorities and the public. Through these investments, we are turning the challenge into an opportunity for healthier lives, a sustainable environment, and more resilient and pleasant cities for all citizens of Israel.”
Planning and planting trees in the urban space in Arab communities
After supporting dozens of local authorities with approximately 44 million shekels in the last three years, the Ministry published a dedicated call for proposals for authorities in the Arab sector as part of Government Decision 550.
This call for proposals will help authorities plan and plant trees and promote shading solutions as part of their preparedness for the warming of the urban space. Trees are essential green infrastructure that reduces heat loads, contributes to public health and improves quality of life, and stimulates local economic activity.
These are the authorities that won the call for proposals, totaling 14.5 million shekels: Rahat, Umm al-Fahm, Reineh, Arrabeh, Kseife.
The Ministry is also working to create in-depth professional guidance totaling 1.5 million shekels in cooperation with “Derech Tzel” from the Green Building Council.
Promoting pilots of green roofs integrated with photovoltaic panels
The Ministry published a call for proposals to encourage pilot programs for green roofs integrated with photovoltaic panels. Integrated roofs are an innovative and multi-beneficial solution in Israel. They contribute to cooling the building itself and reducing heat loads, help delay surface runoff in the urban space within the substrate layer of the green roof, generate renewable energy, and cool the urban space, not just the building itself. This integration allows for efficient use of building roofs while increasing the resilience of cities and communities in Israel to extreme climate conditions.
These are the authorities that won the call for proposals, totaling 575 thousand shekels: Petah Tikva, Maghar, Rosh Ha’ayin, Herzliya, Deir al-Asad.
The Ministry is also working to create in-depth professional guidance and establish infrastructure for continued support in this area, totaling 150 thousand shekels, in cooperation with “Gag Organization” from Muslala.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection views local authorities as a central partner in preparing for climate change and reducing heat loads in the urban space. The new support is intended to provide authorities with practical and effective tools to deal with the growing challenges. The cooperation with the authorities ensures that the solutions will be planned and implemented according to local needs to improve the quality of life of residents and create a healthier and more resilient urban space.
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