Climate Sensitivity and Regulatory Deficiencies: Challenges in the Area of the Environment and Health in Israel

This study was conducted as part of the Taub Center Research and Policy Initiative for Environment and Health which is generously supported by Yad Hanadiv

The research focuses on significant environmental issues affecting the health and quality of life of Israelis in recent years: an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves without appropriate measures to address this phenomenon; Israel’s landfill rates, among the highest in developed countries, contribute to the country’s high greenhouse gas emissions, alongside other damage such as air pollution and soil and water contamination; and, indoor air pollution exposure is also on the rise.

Greenhouse gas emissions and temperature increase

At the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016, Israel committed to reducing its emissions significantly. However, despite the passage of time, appropriate steps to fulfill this promise have not been taken. In the draft of the Climate Law, approved in a preliminary reading in September 2023, an interim target was set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, meaning that annual emissions will be 70% of the rate measured in 2015. This target is significantly lower than those set by European Union countries, which committed to reducing their emissions by 50%–55%. Israel’s ultimate goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but this target is neither final nor binding, and since the law has yet to pass in the Knesset, it is unclear whether Israel will achieve it. Meanwhile, Israel’s per capita emissions remain relatively high compared to other OECD countries.

Heat stress

To understand the change in the intensity of heatwaves in Israel, Taub Center researchers examined heatwaves over seven decades, from the early 1950s to the beginning of the current decade, based on temperature and relative humidity measured daily at 2:00 PM during the summer months. The findings show that in all decades, most measurements indicated heat stress levels above the threshold likely to impact health — 27 degrees Celsius and 40% humidity. Another finding indicates a consistent upward trend in heat stress values. Until the 1980s, the increase was mainly noticeable in the southern part of the country; since then, though, it has spread inland and to the east, including the Golan Heights.

 Prolonged heat exposure and its impact on health

Prolonged exposure to heat stress affects various aspects of health, including an increased risk of mortality, impacts on mental health, and the ability to perform outdoor physical activities. Although efforts have been made in the past two years by various government ministries to develop strategies for dealing with extreme climate events, particularly heatwaves, there is no significant focus on the ongoing exposure to heat stress and its effects on the population’s health. It is noteworthy that over the years, the risk of mortality from high temperatures has increased — studies indicate an average of 45 excess deaths per year due to high temperatures during heatwaves.

Data from Israel show an increase in hospital visits with diagnoses of dehydration or heatstroke between 2010 and 2019. The highest number of visits was among children aged 0–4 and adults aged 75 and older. Additionally, a 1.47% increase in emergency room visits was recorded for each one-degree Celsius rise in temperature. Moreover, heatwaves and increased humidity have been linked to higher suicide rates and increased morbidity due to mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.

Waste management in Israel

Per capita waste production in Israel is 14% higher than the OECD average, and the landfill rate is almost double — 78% in Israel compared to 40% on average in OECD countries. In 2022, there were more than 9,000 illegal waste-burning incidents in Israel — a practice prohibited by law. Considering that waste burning is responsible for emitting 74% of carcinogenic or suspected carcinogenic substances into the air, this is an extremely serious issue. Another illicit activity in this area is the illegal dumping of construction waste in unauthorized locations. Beyond the damage to the landscape and harm to natural assets, this phenomenon can lead to the release of pollutants like asbestos and respirable particles into the air, which are direct causes of heart and respiratory diseases.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection is promoting a comprehensive strategic plan for a sustainable waste economy, primarily transitioning from a linear economy, which consumes large amounts of resources and pollutes, to a circular economy aiming for minimal waste and maximum efficiency in resource use by 2050. One of the interim goals of the plan is to reduce landfill rates from about 80% today to 20% by 2050. Funding for the program is expected to come from the Maintenance of Cleanliness Fund.