Contents At a Glance Dear Reader: News in brief about a motley of environmental

3 Volume 34 of Israel Environment Ilanphoto: Malester issues. Bulletin focuses on some of the Moving from Vision to Reality major items on the Ministry of The Ministry of Environmental Protection formu- Environmental Protection's agenda

6 Kinneret/ Lake lates a ministerial vision and multi-annual targets. in 2008. Our first section, At a Glance, highlights some of the major Preparing for Post-Kyoto environmental happenings of 2008, while the first article of Mitigation, adaptation and technology 8 this Bulletin looks at the process of formulating the ministry's development are on Israel's climate change environmental vision and long-term goals, which will define the agenda. ministry's agenda and action plan in the coming years. High on the priority list is an issue which had made it to the top of the agenda Israel's Air Resources Management System of countries worldwide: climate change. In recent months, Israel Forecasting, simulations and event analyses are only 14 has taken initial steps to define reduction targets for greenhouse some of the capabilities of Israel's new system. gas emissions, prepare an action plan to achieve the targets by 2025 and prepare a vulnerability assessment to climate change and Reducing Industrial Air Pollution in Haifa Bay an adaptation plan to confront potential risks and opportunities. A new action plan aims to reduce emissions from 17 Without doubt, the development of new technologies, a field in some of the country's major sources of pollution. which Israel excels, will figure high in the climate change action plan which will be formulated in coming years. Lake Kinneret: A National Priority A multi-faceted program promises to clean up 22 This Bulletin also takes an in-depth look at Israel's ambitious air the Kinneret's coasts and protect Israel's water resources management system and a close-up look at what's being sources. done to improve air quality in one of Israel's traditional hotspots of pollution: Haifa Bay. Additional articles focus on efforts to clean Pollution Loads to Rivers: 2006 up the open shores of the Sea of Galilee and on the reduction of Major reductions in pollution loads to Israel's major 26 pollution loads in the country's rivers. rivers between 1994 and 2006. The presentation of awards to the twelve winners of the lifetime achievement award for environmental protection provides a Israel Awards Lifetime Achievement Awards welcome opportunity to salute those individuals who have made for Environmental Protection 28 a significant contribution to the environment in Israel from the time A look at the 12 winners of lifetime achievement the State was founded until today. Israel Environment Bulletin, which awards for environmental protection. has been published for more than 30 years, is proud to pay tribute to their efforts and their achievements. With a Face to the Public: Greening the Media 30 And finally, this year has seen a new flux of environmental laws, which Reaching Out – Conferences and Events. will have a significant impact on the quality of Israel's environment, increasing the enforcement powers of local authorities, making Environmental Legislation pollution economically unprofitable and heralding in a revolution in Israel enacts three environmental laws in 2008: 35 Israel's efforts to reduce and prevent air pollution. Clean Air Law, Local Authorities Environmental To stay updated about other environmental developments in Israel, Enforcement Law and Polluter Pays Law. please visit our English website www.environment.gov.il/english Shoshana Gabbay Editor.

Inquiries should be addressed to: Israel Environment Bulletin P.O.B. 34033, Jerusalem 95464, Israel Telephone: 972-2-6553777 | Fax: 972-2-6535934 | Web: www.environment.gov.il/english E-mail: [email protected] Production: Publications,ISRAEL Information ENVIRONMENT and Internet Division, Ministry ofBULLETIN Environmental Protection | vol.32 2 Design: Studio Gideon Dan, Jerusalem | Cover photo: Eli Ratner, 2008. Jordan River, north of Lake Kinneret AT A GLANCE photo: Ilanphoto: Malester photo: Ilanphoto: Malester Fish cages in Eilat/ Fish Haifa coast/

› Israel Adopts Contingency Plan to remove their fish cages from the Gulf data, which indicated ecosystem for Preparedness and Response to of Eilat. deterioration in the Gulf of Eilat, the Combating Marine Oil Pollution Ministry of Environmental Protection Following the establishment of two concentrated its efforts on stopping In recognition of the serious threat posed marine farming in the Gulf waters. In to the marine and coastal environment by mariculture companies in the Red Sea, oil pollution incidents, Israel prepared and Ardag and Dag Suf, at the northern end parallel, a wide-scale public campaign adopted (in May 2008) a contingency plan of the Gulf of Eilat, scientific analyses of was launched to remove the cages from for preparedness and response that aims Gulf water samples in the area revealed a the water in order to save the unique to assure prompt and effective action to significant rise in nutrient load (nitrogen coral reef in the Gulf of Eilat. minimize the damage which may result and phosphorous) in the deep waters. from major oil spills. The objective of the These were attributed, among other › 80 Million Shekels in Landfill plan is to define a three-tier system for factors, to the enrichment of the Gulf Levies Expected in 2008 preparedness and response to marine water by nutrients from the feed and In 2008, landfill levies, which first came pollution incidents by oil, including the excrement of the fish. In light of these into force on July 1, 2007, are expected mapping of sensitivity sections along the coast, risk scenarios for marine pollution, to reach 80 million shekels, compared to policy for combating marine pollution 20 million shekels in 2007. The Ministry of incidents, specification of methods and Environmental Protection will invest the means for combating a severe marine funds in the establishment of recycling pollution incident and more. and recovery infrastructure, distribution of bins for separation of waste and waste recovery. › Fish Cage Era in Eilat is Over Following years of public struggles and If the present recycling rate of 25% does government deliberations, the last fish not increase, the landfill levy is forecast to was taken out of the fish cages in the Gulf reach 200 million shekels a year within 5 photo: Ministryphoto: Protection of Environmental of Eilat on June 17, 2008, in compliance to 10 years. The target of the Ministry of with a government decision dated June Environmental Protection is to reach a 5, 2005, which called on Eilat's fish farms 50% recycling rate within ten years. Fish cages/ Fish www.environment.gov.il 3 Green school activities/photo: Roi Simha Reuse of tires/photo: Alon Carmiel Green School

› Israel Recycled some 700,000 Tons treatment, will coordinate and head a information on Israel and the OECD is of Construction and Demolition 19 member interministerial advisory available on the OECD website (www. Waste in 2007 committee on hazardous substances oecd.org/israel). and will operate a situation room, which Some 3.5 million tons of construction will be responsible for data analysis and and demolition (C&D) waste (excluding › Green Year Declared in the recommendations for action during a excavation waste) are generated in Israel Educational System national disaster or emergency in which each year. In 2007, some 700,000 tons hazardous substances may be released. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of C&D waste were recycled, about 20% The ministry already operates a National and Ministry of Education have of the total, compared to 300,000 tons Information and Response Center which inaugurated the 2008/9 academic year in 2006. Out of the 700,000 tons of C&D serves as the operational and professional as a green school year in Israel. Within waste which were recycled, some 500,000 arm of the ministry's treatment system this framework, a national campaign will tons were returned to the economy for during incidents, including hazardous be launched to encourage elementary reuse as raw materials. waste events. A 24-hour-a-day school students to collect materials for Environmental Command Post operates recycling, and "recycling corners" will be At the same time, the Ministry of within the framework of the Center. set up in the schools. Environmental Protection financially supported local authorities to the tune of › In 2008, the Ministry of Environmental 30 million shekels in 2007, compared to Israel Submits Initial Protection certified 56 schools as green an average 10 million shekels in previous Memorandum to the OECD schools, increasing the total number of years. Of these, 6 million shekels were The OECD Council of Ministers invited green schools in Israel to 150 compared designated to encourage and provide Israel to begin the accession process to to only 7 in 2004 – a remarkable growth incentives to private entrepreneurs to join the organization in May 2007 and rate in just three years. The Ministry of develop recycling infrastructures for C&D approved a road map for accession in Environmental Protection has allocated waste. November 2007. In July of 2008, Israel 5.5 million shekels for environmental submitted its initial memorandum to education in 2008 – up from 4.5 million › National Advisory Committee on the OECD, which outlines the extent shekels in 2007. Hazardous Substances Emergencies to which it accepts the legal or political Set Up obligations resulting from each of the › Environmental Awards to the OECD's legal instruments and assesses In March 2008, the Ministerial Committee Israel Defense Forces the compatibility of its legislation and on Environmental Protection and policies with these obligations. Further On March 30, 2008, Environmental Hazardous Substances approved Protection Minister Gideon Ezra and IDF a program for a National Advisory Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Committee on Hazardous Substances ORGANISATION presented environmental awards to Emergences. According to the program, FOR ECONOMIC army units, soldiers and commanders of the Ministry of Environmental Protection CO-OPERATION the Israel Defense Forces who exhibited will serve as the national advisor on AND DEVELOPMENT involvement, responsibility and creativity integrated hazardous substances in preventing environmental degradation

4 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 and protecting nature, landscape and › “Be a Human Being – Care for your heritage. The fifth annual ceremony Dog”: National Dog Spaying and reflected the greening processes taking Neutering Campaign place in the Israel Defense Forces and in On September 15, 2008, Minister of Israel as a whole. Agriculture Shalom Simhon and Minister The ceremony was accompanied by an of Environmental Protection Gideon Ezra exhibition of winning photographs on launched a national campaign, for the the subject of "IDF and the Environment second year running, to promote the in the Eye of the Camera." Dozens of spaying and neutering of dogs at reduced photographs were submitted to the prices. In 2007, some 10,000 dogs were competition, providing a unique soldier's spayed and neutered as a result of the view of the impacts of military activities campaign. Some 2 million shekels have on the environment and the landscape. been allocated for the campaign this year. The aim of the campaign is to improve the lives of the dog population in Israel and to prevent the suffering of tens of thousands of dogs and puppies that are abandoned each year. The campaign largely seeks to transmit the message that spaying and neutering are the most humane means of reducing litters and thereby the number of abandoned dogs and that they are “Be a Human Being – Care for your Dog” /campaign poster Avishai Becker, Air Force. “Touching the Earth”/ important to the health and quality of life First prize, “IDF and the Environment” competition, 2007. of dogs as well.

› Israelis Elect National Bird: the Hoopoe Within the framework of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, the Society for the Protection of Israel initiated a competition to choose Israel's national bird. In May 2008, President Shimon Peres declared the hoopoe, or "duchifat" in Hebrew, as the winner among 10 other local birds which were nominated for the prestigious title. During the course of the competition, pictures and descriptions of the birds were made available on the website of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the public was asked to cast their vote for their favorite bird. The hoopoe, a pink, black and white- crested bird, is mentioned in Jewish legends about King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. According to Dr. Yossi Leshem of Israel's International Center for the Study of Bird Migration at Latrun, who initiated the contest, the process of selecting Israel's national bird was much more than a competition; it was a lesson in democracy and in bird preservation awareness as well.

The Hoopoe, Israeli National Bird/photo: Amir Ezer www.environment.gov.il 5 MOVING FROM VISION

Photo: Brian LaryPhoto: TO REALITY

The annual work plan of the Vision of the Ministry of Ministry of Environmental Environmental Protection Protection for 2008 is based on its The environment in the State of Israel will provide quality of life and environmental security to the residents, based on the vision and long-term targets wise use of resources and the protection of ecosystems and on In 2007, the Ministry of Environmental Protection initiated a commitment to human welfare and natural, landscape and comprehensive and in-depth strategic process aimed at setting heritage values for present and future generations. long-term policy, including a ministerial vision, multi-annual targets, and goals for the years 2008-2010. The process was not initiated in a vacuum. It constituted part of a government The State of Israel will strive to initiative, promoted by the Prime Minister's Office, to reform and strengthen the policy planning system in government ministries. become one of the world leaders Formulating goals, setting priorities and measuring progress by in sustainable development. means of performance indicators are all integral parts of the process.

For its part, the Ministry of Environmental Protection developed its vision and long-term goals, using the method known as the development of a ministerial toolkit, an annual assessment backcasting, which recognizes that true progress requires a of the state of the environment and a review of the strengths, future oriented approach, which begins with a vision of where weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) facing the we want to go and only then decides on the ways of getting ministry. Within the framework of the process and in order there. Therefore, the ministry first formulated its vision and then to improve the ministry's performance, reciprocal relations worked backwards to strategically create the aims, measurable between professional targets were reviewed in order to identify targets and concrete actions necessary to achieve its vision, conflicts and overlaps and the suitability of the different tools at while seeking ways to expand its already varied toolbox. the disposal of the ministry – regulative, informative, institutional and economic. The Process The development of initial indicators to help evaluate operative The process of preparing a long-term policy for the Ministry results was an integral part of the process, which will be further of Environmental Protection was based on a "bottom-up" strengthened in future years with additional indicators to approach and included the participation of some 100 senior measure goal achievement and monitor the effectiveness of the and intermediate level professionals in the ministry. It included measures taken. 6 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Multi-Annual Targets Ministerial Goals for 2008-2010 The Environmental Protection Ministry set out to define its multi- Based on its multi-annual targets, the ministry annual targets based on the following criteria: formulated the following goals for 2008-2010: 1. Treatment of hotspots of pollution › Importance of the subject in the opinion of professionals in

the ministry. a. Prevention of air, odor, soil and water pollution hazards › Probability that the target will be achieved based on the from the Ramat Hovav industrial area proposed toolkit. b. Prevention of air and soil pollution hazards in the Haifa › Importance of the subject on the public agenda. Bay area › Ability to recruit additional stakeholders to achieve the 2. Air pollution reduction: minimization of emissions from target. transport, industry and electricity production › Existence of the necessary budgetary and human resources. 3. Reduction of risks from hazardous substances 4. Preparedness of the State of Israel for climate change 5. Prevention of soil and water pollution and soil rehabilitation 6. River rehabilitation 7. Reduction of the quantity of waste 8. Improvement of the quality of the environment for lower socio-economic groups and areas 9. Assimilation of environmental considerations in the activities of government ministries, local authorities, the business sector and civil society 10. "Green branding" – promotion of environment-friendly development and consumption 11. Sustainable development in the rural sector: photo: Eli Ratnerphoto: a. Assimilation of sustainable development principles in the administration of regional councils b. Prevention of water source pollution from point and non- point sources in agriculture Tel Aviv coast/ Aviv Tel 12. Conservation and development of open space

At the end of a long deliberation and consultation process, 13. Reduction of the rate of biodiversity loss the following multi-annual targets were identified: 1. Minimization of emissions and wastes which damage the environment and human health. 2. Protection, increased efficiency of use and rehabilitation of environmental resources and ecosystems for future generations. 3. Prevention and reduction of population exposure to risks and hazards. 4. Increased capacity to confront and prepare for environmental risks (climate change, chemicals, pests, etc.). 5. Fair distribution of environmental costs and benefits among different population groups. 6. Improved access to a high quality environment for public wellbeing. 7. Promotion and use of Israeli environmental technologies. 8. Increased efficiency and effectiveness of policy tools: regulatory, informative, economic and operational to achieve ministerial targets. photo: G & A Scholiers photo: www.environment.gov.il 7 PREPARING FOR POST-KYOTO

Israel is preparing a program of mitigation, adaptation and photo: Nikitaphoto: Golovanov technology development to confront the challenges of climate change Factory chimneys/ Factory

At the 13th Climate Change Conference in period of the Kyoto Protocol, which ends Boosting Research on Bali, which took place in December 2007, in 2012. However, Israel is well aware that Climate Change Parties to the United Nations Framework climate change mitigation (action to In 2005, the Chief Scientist of the Ministry Convention on Climate Change adopted reduce greenhouse gas emissions and of Environmental Protection issued a a road map which charts the course for enhance sinks) and adaptation (initiatives call for proposals for research studies on a future international agreement on and measures to reduce the vulnerability the impacts of climate change in Israel tackling climate change, which will come of natural and human systems to climate and means of adaptation. Ten research into effect after the commitment period change) are no longer options. Therefore, projects were approved for funding on of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012. Four it has initiated several steps to prepare for subjects as diverse as the impacts of major building blocks were identified the post-Kyoto era. vegetation on the urban microclimate at Bali as crucial to the process because to changes in biodiversity as a result of they will determine how the new Efforts are currently focusing on the climate change. agreement, whose draft is expected to be following areas: completed in 2009, will be implemented: In September 2008, the Chief Scientist › Definition of reduction targets for mitigation, adaptation, technology and issued an additional call for proposals greenhouse gas emissions in all finance. Israel, for its part, classified as a for research studies on climate change developing country under the Climate relevant sectors (energy, waste on the following subjects: climate Change Convention, has taken heed of treatment, transport, industry and change forecasts for Israel until the the message and is going forward on all agriculture). year 2030, analysis of climate change fronts. › Preparation of an action plan to trends in Israel over the past 30 years achieve the targets by 2025. and anticipated impacts of climate change until the year 2030 in different Preparing for the Post-Kyoto Era › Preparation of a vulnerability assessment to climate change and an areas. Israel, which ratified the Climate Change adaptation plan to confront potential Convention in 1996 and the Kyoto risks and opportunities. Toward Greenhouse Gas Reduction Protocol in 2004, does not currently have any binding limitation on its greenhouse › Promotion of research and Statistics on greenhouse gas emissions gas emissions. This is in contrast to development as well as transfer of in Israel are not encouraging, to say developed countries which are obligated information and technology in the the least. Based on Central Bureau of to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions fields of water, forestation, solar Statistics data, Israel emitted nearly 74 by a collective average of 5% below their energy, land management, and million tons of greenhouse gases per

1990 levels during the first commitment more. year (CO2 equivalent) in 2006, a rise of 8 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Emissions of Direct Greenhouse Gases (1,000 tons) 75,000 72,438 72,626 73,894 70,000

65,000 62,705 >The Ministry of 60,000

1000 tons Environmental 55,000 Protection is 50,000 1996 2000 2005 2006 advancing an integrated policy Eli Ratnerphoto: aimed at reducing

17% since 1996. In contrast to many Electricity Corporation, is accompanying Electricity/ developed countries, whose greenhouse the preparation of the study. both greenhouse gas emissions are on the decrease, Israel's emissions are expected to continue to gases and local air Following are the major components increase under a "business as usual" of the study: scenario, largely due to an increase in pollutants< its population (natural increase and › Preparation of a forecast of immigration) and rise in standard of living. greenhouse gas emissions by Clearly, the challenge lies in stabilizing sector for every year until 2025, in emissions and reversing the trend. accordance with methodologies published by the Intergovernmental Fuel combustion accounts for about 75% Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). of Israel's greenhouse gas emissions, of › which some 56% originate in electricity Review and analysis of scenarios and and energy production (some 40 million alternatives for reducing greenhouse tons) and another 19% in vehicular gas emissions accompanied by cost emissions. Carbon dioxide is the main benefit calculations for each. component of greenhouse gas emissions › Survey of the emissions reduction Distribution of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector (2006) in Israel (some 88%), followed by methane commitments of the parties to the which is largely emitted by landfills Kyoto Protocol in the post-Kyoto era. and nitrous oxide from agriculture and › National policy recommendations industry. on practical steps for emissions In order to quantify Israel's mitigation reductions. potential, the Ministry of Environmental Although not all components of the Protection commissioned a study on study have as yet been completed, the options for greenhouse gas emissions forecast points to an anticipated rise reductions. An interdisciplinary of 63% in greenhouse gas emissions in committee of experts, made up of the year 2025, under a business as usual Electricity 56% representatives of government ministries scenario, in comparison to the year 2000. Transportation 19% (Environmental Protection, Infrastructure, Waste 7% To address this worrying trend, cost- Agriculture, Transport, Industry, Trade and Industry (esp. cement and lime) 12% benefit analyses of different scenarios Labor, Finance and Foreign Affairs), the Agriculture 4% Manufacturers' Association of Israel, Public are now being prepared and different Other 2% Utility Authority - Electricity, Israel Union measures for reducing greenhouse gas for Environmental Defense and Israel emissions are being identified. www.environment.gov.il 9 photo: Alla Leitus photo: Solar energy/

Energy-Related Government › The Ministry of Environmental consisting of forecasts for greenhouse Decisions Protection in cooperation with the gas emissions by sectors and options › August 4, 2008: The socio-economic Central Bureau of Statistics publishes for mitigation for each scenario, cabinet approved a government data on its greenhouse gas emissions accompanied by cost benefit analyses proposal on the promotion of research, on an annual basis. to the national economy. technology development and energy › In 1998, the Ministry of Environmental › In 2007, the Ministry of Environmental production in the field of renewable Protection, in cooperation with the S. Protection initiated the preparation of energy. The goals of the new plan, slated Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies an adaptation assessment, whose first for implementation in 2008-2012, are in Science and Technology, prepared an phase was completed in 2008. to increase renewable energy sales and initial study on options for mitigating › In 2005 and 2008, Israel signed increase research and development greenhouse gas emissions in Israel, Memorandums of Understanding investments in the field. One proposal based on conditions in 1996. on cooperation regarding Clean calls for establishing a research and › In 2004, a Designated National Authority Development Mechanism projects with development center for renewable for authorizing Clean Development Italy and Germany, respectively. energy technologies in the Negev, at an Mechanism (CDM) projects in Israel investment of 70 million shekels over a › In February 2008, the Air Quality Division was established and, to date, about five year period. of the Ministry and the Manufacturers 40 projects have been submitted for Association conducted an international › September 1, 2008: The socio-economic approval, of which 13 are registered workshop with the German Federal cabinet approved a government with the United Nations. Ministry for the Environment, Nature proposal on energy efficiency, which › In 2007, the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Nuclear Safety on aims to bring about 20% savings in Protection commissioned an updated establishing a voluntary mechanism anticipated electricity consumption by study on options for mitigating for greenhouse gas emissions registry 2020. The program relates to energy greenhouse gas emissions in Israel, and reporting in Israel. efficiency as a means of tackling climate change. Among the proposed measures: energy savings in the home and in government structures, green building, higher energy efficiency standards for electrical appliances, information programs on wise use of electricity and establishment of an energy efficiency fund.

What's Been Done to Tackle

Climate Change in Israel? Joe Zlomek photo: › Israel ratified the Climate Change Convention in 1996 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2004. Solar panels/

10 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Completion of the study will more. The aim is to present an initial contribute to Israel's ability to: series of recommendations on climate › Determine potential greenhouse gas change mitigation by the end of 2008 emission reduction targets. and subsequently to pass government

resolutions in this area and to enact Ilanphoto: Malester › Prepare for international negotiations the necessary legislation to reduce within the framework of the post- greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate Kyoto agreements. climate change. › Prepare a government action plan which specifies measures for implementing a climate change Israel's Adaptation to Climate mitigation program in Israel. Change Alongside the preparation of inventories, Meeting the Challenges of Climate

forecasts, scenarios and mitigation Aloney Habashan wind turbines/ Change measures, adaptation to climate change Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is on Israel's agenda. Without doubt, says is an especially difficult challenge in Dr. Yeshayahu Bar-Or, Chief Scientist of Israel, a country undergoing economic the Ministry of Environmental Protection, growth against a backdrop of continuous there is strong evidence to suggest that increases in both population and energy global warming has largely been caused consumption. And, according to Dr. Yossi by human activities, but whatever the Inbar, Vice Director General of the Ministry cause, one thing is certain: adaptation of Environmental Protection, "energy strategies must be formulated and supply is an especially sensitive issue in implemented in order to address the Israel. On the one hand, Israel is an 'energy dire impacts of climate change which are island' and, therefore, depends on coal as already evident today and will be further virtually the only 'secure' source of energy aggravated in the near future. And for its energy security. On the other hand, what's more, these impacts, according Israel's limited space area may constrain to the Fourth Assessment Report of the the development of renewable energy, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate especially solar energy." Dr. Inbar points Change (IPCC), are expected to be more out that every installed megawatt of solar severe in the Mediterranean Sea basin energy consumes between two to four than in many other parts of the world. hectares of land, a difficult problem in a country with land scarcity. In fact, Israel has witnessed a warming >Israel is poised trend since the beginning of the 1970s, Yet Israel is determined to address with average temperatures expected to to play its part in the difficulties. Current efforts are rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2020 and by concentrating on assessing greenhouse up to 5 degrees Celsius by the end of the the development gas emissions under different scenarios century compared to 1960-1990, based and transfer of while identifying the steps necessary on moderate IPCC scenarios. Recent to reduce these emissions in an years have also witnessed an increase new technologies economically viable manner. Among in the frequency and length of extreme to address climate the measures which have already been weather events, including years which proposed are energy savings, both are either exceedingly wet or exceedingly change mitigation in buildings and in street lighting, by dry, with predictions pointing to further means of energy efficient light bulbs. increases in the number and frequency and adaptation< Also on the agenda are the promotion of such events (e.g., drought years, floods, of public transport, energy conservation, heat waves). Precipitation is expected energy efficiency in industrial plants and to decrease by 10% by 2020 and by www.environment.gov.il 11 20% by 2050 while sea level rise in the Anticipated Impacts of Climate Mediterranean is predicted to increase Change in Israel by 0.5 meters in 2050 and one meter by › Water: Reduction of at least 25% in 2100. Additional impacts include reduced water availability by the end of the flows to Lake Kinneret and recharge 21st century. of groundwater aquifers, agricultural › Coasts and seas: A10 cm rise in sea damages, impacts on public health, and level may lead to coastline retreat of biodiversity changes. 2-10 meters and to the loss of 0.4-2 square kilometers of coast every 10 To address these issues, the Ministry years. of Environmental Protection set up an interministerial steering committee, › Public health: Increase in mosquito headed by the Chief Scientist, to check populations and their distribution the potential impacts of climate change may increase the risk of disease. on Israel. The objective of the committee › Agriculture: Damage to crops due was to recommend ways of preparing to decrease in water availability and and adapting to climate change in a way 20% increase in water demand. that would reduce potential damages, on the one hand, and promote the › Biodiversity: Migration of development of new concepts and Mediterranean species northward technologies to address the problems, and their replacement by desert on the other hand. ecosystems from the Negev. to the water scarcity problem may cost the economy 450 million shekels per year, › Energy: Average long-term increase With the aid of working groups, made up neglecting the impacts of sea level rise in electricity demand in the order of of experts in different disciplines, a draft may cost 6 billion shekels, flood damages 3.2% per year. document was presented for comment are expected to cost 340 million shekels during a workshop held in March 2008, a year, while damages to agriculture may with the participation of Environmental reach some 3 billion shekels a year. Protection Minister Gideon Ezra, some fifty experts, directors general of government Thankfully, several research studies in ministries and numerous stakeholders. coordination with different ministries, By the summer of 2008, the results of especially the Water Authority and the the two year process were evident in Ministry of Agriculture, are already in the form of an initial yet comprehensive planning. However, the commitment of report which addresses the anticipated the government as a whole is essential impacts of climate change on Israel to assure that Israel recognizes the risks and presents interim recommendations and takes the necessary steps to adapt on adaptation measures in each of the to climate change. One possibility is a following sectors: water, agriculture, seas government resolution which would see and coasts, public health, biodiversity, the allocation of substantial funds to the energy and the economy. Plans now call relevant ministries to carry out research in for these interim recommendations to be the field of preparedness and adaptation developed into a national plan on climate to climate change. photo: Jenny Rollo Jenny photo: change adaptation. Mitigation and Adaptation According to Dr. Bar-Or, inaction carries Technologies a high economic cost. Failure to take the

Desertification/ necessary actions to adapt to climate Clearly, technology is linked both to change today would carry a high price tag mitigation and adaptation, and Israel is by the year 2020: inaction in responding poised to play its part in the development 12 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Photo: Eli Ratner Photo: Mirko Delcaldo Photo: and transfer of new technologies to Developing Israel's Road Map on These steps mark the beginning of a major address these twin issues. Today, the Climate Change push forward in Israel's preparations for challenges of developing mitigation the post-Kyoto agreement, whose draft The Bali Road Map has made it clear options for reducing greenhouse is expected to be concluded at the 15th that climate change will have to take gas emissions, on the one hand, and Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen a more central role in both national mechanisms for adaptation to climate in 2009. Some of the country's cutting- and international policy. To do this, the change, on the other hand, are generating edge technologies in such areas as Ministry of Environmental Protection is new opportunities for companies in solar energy and afforestation will be on advancing an integrated policy aimed Israel and worldwide to find innovative display in Poznan during an international solutions to the challenges lying ahead. at reducing both greenhouse gases exhibition on "Technologies for Climate and local air pollutants. Two parallel Protection" which will be held in parallel Based on its rich experience in developing developments are helping to meet these to the conference. cutting-edge technologies in such fields objectives: the accession process to the as water treatment, recycling and reuse of OECD, which is already catalyzing Israel The emphasis of Israel's climate change treated sewage water, desert agriculture to adopt environmental policies and mitigation plan and adaptation plan and afforestation, the challenges meet environmental standards that are will be on reducing economic, social presented by climate change may well effective and economically efficient and and ecological damages, on the one serve as a lever to position Israel as a the recent enactment of a Clean Air Law hand, and exploiting opportunities by regional and global center of knowledge in Israel. developing innovative technologies and on adaptation to climate change. Dr. exporting know-how, on the other hand. Yeshayahu Bar-Or strongly believes that At present, as Israel prepares for the 14th After 2012, Israel may well be subject "in about 20 years, Europe will experience Conference of the Parties to the Climate to formal requirements for greenhouse some of the conditions that Israel faces Change Convention in Poznan, Poland, gas reductions, but hopefully, it will also today. Therefore, Israel has a great deal scheduled for December 2008, its study have much to contribute to the world community in terms of technology to to offer to the world community in terms on mitigation options is in preparation, meet the challenges of climate change. of technologies for effluent irrigation, its initial report on adaptation to climate combating desertification, agriculture change is ready and new technologies to and forestation in desert conditions and meet the challenges of both mitigation salinity reduction." and adaptation are being advanced. www.environment.gov.il 13 ISRAEL'S AIR RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Photo: Rodolfo Clix Rodolfo Photo:

quality management. Therefore, it Finding out about established a national air quality pollution sources monitoring system which provides information about air quality anywhere in Israel throughout the country. However, in order to manage the country’s will soon be only a air resources in a more integrated and comprehensive manner, click away! Mobile emission monitoring unit an air resources management The day is not far off when a resident of system was developed, which will, › Provide tools to decision makers Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba or any other inter alia, help forecast air quality levels for assessing the impact of planned locality in Israel will be able to access the in Israel, analyze pollution events and projects, such as roads, factories and website of the Ministry of Environmental facilitate policy making and planning. power plants, on air quality. Protection and find out everything they The system will cover the entire country wanted to know about forecasted levels of and will be based on emissions data › Assess the potential effectiveness air pollution. With a click of a button, every from all pollution sources—power plants, and feasibility of emissions reduction member of the public will soon be able industry, transport, households—as well programs and policies. to access data about pollution sources as on meteorological, topographical, › Provide tools for analyzing air pollution in their environment. Before buying a geographical and traffic data. house or apartment, residents will be episodes. able to check the pollution potential to › Improve the ability to provide and Objectives of the Air Resources which they may be exposed, whether disseminate data to the public. Management System from a nearby factory, gas station, road, quarry or wastewater treatment plant. The comprehensive air resources What are the main capabilities of management system is designated to the system? This information will be part of fulfill the following aims: › Forecasting – operative forecast for a comprehensive air resources 27 hours. › Develop a database with geographic, management system, currently in its › Simulations – the impact of different topographic, meteorological and running-in stage. Its implementation in scenarios and policy measures, such pollution data and, most importantly, a 2009 will mark a major leap forward in as the addition of a power plant or comprehensive emissions inventory. the management of Israel’s air resources. a switch of all buses to electricity, on › Publish air quality forecasts for pollution levels. Israel has long recognized that the the entire area of Israel, including › Event analysis – the factors availability of accurate nationwide data alerts when pollution episodes are responsible for an air pollution on air quality is a prerequisite for air anticipated. event. 14 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Emissions Inventory Perhaps the greatest contribution of the system, to date, is the development of a comprehensive emissions inventory, Emission Sources of Sulfur Oxides in Israel Emission Sources of Particulates in Israel with just about every source of air pollution included – from households to power plants, from factories to cars, from wastewater treatment plants to landfills, from quarries to small businesses.

The inventory relates to the following pollutants: sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM10), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and carbon monoxide (CO). It presents maximum Electricity production 71% Electricity production 15% Industry (without electricity prod.) 24% hourly emissions, changes of emissions Industry (without electricity prod.) 78% Transport 5% over time, location of emission sources Transport 7% and data about emission sources. In addition, the inventory includes the following features: › Relative contribution of industry, electricity production and transport to total pollutant emissions in the country; › Geographic distribution of emissions among the different regions of the country; › Contribution of electricity production facilities in Israel to pollutant emissions; › Contribution of different industrial sectors (e.g., small and large steam Emission Sources of Nitrogen Oxides in Israel Emission Sources of boilers, petrochemical industries, Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds chemical industry, cement industry, metal and iron processes, minerals and quarry processing) to pollutant emissions, including both point and non-point sources; › Contribution of non-point sources in industry and of other sectors to VOCs emissions.

The following graphs show the Electricity production 54% Electricity production 8% contribution of industry, electricity Industry (without electricity prod.) 12% Industry (without electricity prod.) 12% and transport to these pollutants: Transport 34% Transport 65% Anthropogenic sources (not industry) 15% Biogenic sources 0% www.environment.gov.il 15 The development of Israel's emissions Service and on geographical data. The Outputs of the System inventory is by no means over. Data will result: an emissions inventory, daily air › be updated annually and improvements quality forecast, ability to assess the Publication of a daily 27 hour air will be introduced. Although there are still projected impact of planned projects quality forecast every morning for problems to overcome, the development and ability to analyze different scenarios O3 , NOx , NO2 , SO2 , CO and PM10 of Israel's first comprehensive emissions and air pollution events. All of these (the latter further in the future) for the inventory will undoubtedly go a long capabilities were tested and evaluated entire country. During the running-in way toward providing the much needed during the calibration year, which began stage, forecasts were compared with basis for operating Israel's air resources in 2007, with the aid of expert teams, monitoring data in practice. management system. each responsible for the evaluation of › Analysis of scenarios using models different aspects of the system. to assess the impacts of planned More about the Air Resources projects, review environmental And most importantly, transparency is Management System impact statements, investigate a top priority of the system. For the first means of reducing air pollution, and The development of Israel's air resources time ever, the public will be provided more. management system, slated to be with air quality data and forecasts via the › operational by 2009, was no easy task. website of the Ministry of Environmental Analysis of pollution events to The project was implemented by EDS, Protection and will be able to check air identify the source of pollution and with Aria Technologies in France and quality levels and pollutant emissions to investigate extreme events of air Envitech Israel acting as subcontractors. from power plants, factories, gas stations pollution in a specific region. and transportation. The results will be The system is based on advanced air quality available both in map form, with the management software (Enview 2000), possibility to zoom in on a particular Preparing for the Implementation of based on the results of air monitoring locality, and as Excel sheets. All of the the Clean Air Law data and the emissions inventory, and components of the project – including on forecasting and simulation models, pollutant emissions, air quality forecasts, A Clean Air Law was enacted in Israel on which were developed by Aria based sources of air pollution incidents, impacts July 22, 2008. Inter alia, it calls for preparing on a meteorological forecast model of planned projects – will be available to a national program for the reduction of developed by the French Meteorological the public via the internet. air pollution, monitoring and assessing air pollutants, compiling air quality data and publishing air pollution forecasts.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection, which provided the professional input to the Clean Air Law, began laying the foundation for its implementation photo: Ilanphoto: Malester well before its enactment, through the development of the air resources management system. The foundations that are now being laid will enable Israel to analyze different scenarios for pollution reduction, assess costs and Hadera power station/ power Hadera benefits and wisely plan for a future in which Israelis breathe cleaner air. In short, Israel's air resources management system will ensure that programs for air pollution reduction do what they are meant to do – namely, reduce air pollution for the benefit of each and every resident of the country.

16 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 REDUCING INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION IN HAIFA BAY photo: Ilanphoto: Malester Haifa Bay/

An action plan targeted at reducing pollutant emissions from industrial sources in Haifa is now being implemented The air pollution ills of Haifa have made the headlines for years. And no wonder. Haifa Bay houses a large number of industrial Environmental Protection has plants, among them some of the country's major sources of placed the treatment of the Haifa and Haifa Bay: ID Card pollution, including a power plant, an oil refinery and chemical, Haifa Bay hotspot high on its › Haifa's population: 265,000 people petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. All too frequently, list of priorities. › the breathtaking view of the city and the bay glimpsed from Mt. Haifa's land area: 64.6 square Carmel is marred by the pollution emitted from the industrial kilometers Focus on the complex at the heart of the bay area. › Petrochemical Complex Location: northern Mediterranean coast of Israel Recognition of the problem is by no means a new phenomenon. In recent years, major efforts › In fact, an air quality monitoring network was set up in the area have focused on regulating Location of Haifa Bay: north of Haifa, some thirty years ago by the Haifa Association of Towns for the the petrochemical complex near the Kishon River Environment. The network, comprising 16 stations, dispersed in of Haifa Bay which includes › Length of Haifa Bay: some 12 residential, industrial, urban, suburban and transportation areas, the Haifa oil refineries (Israel's kilometers from north to south provides updated information about air quality in Haifa, and is largest oil refinery), Haifa › supplemented by a monitoring system run by the Israel Electric Chemicals (an international Major features: primary industrial Corporation and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. corporation that produces and center, Israel's only natural harbor on markets specialty fertilizers, the Mediterranean, major seaport Yet data collection is not enough. As early as 1983, the food additives and technical Environmental Protection Service, predecessor to today's chemicals), Gadiv Petrochemical Industries Ltd. (one of Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection, called for personal decrees leading petrochemical companies) and Carmel Olefins (Israel’s (administrative orders), under the Abatement of Nuisances Law, sole manufacturer of petrochemical products that are used as to major polluters instructing them to take steps to reduce air raw materials for the plastics industry). pollution emissions and required the operation of an intermittent control system dictating a switch to low sulfur oil whenever Unlike other industrial zones in the country, this complex adverse atmospheric conditions are forecast. has long been subject to a special set of circumstances. In the 1930s, during British mandate rule in Palestine, the port Although major improvements in air quality are definitely visible city's natural characteristics and optimal location attracted in Haifa Bay, much more is needed. Therefore, the Ministry of the Iranian Petroleum Company to choose a 380 hectare area www.environment.gov.il 17 in Haifa Bay to establish its oil refineries and accompanying industries. Subsequently, an order was signed by the British High Commissioner in 1938 excluding the concession site from the town planning area.

photo: Ilanphoto: Malester From 1938 until 2003, the refineries and surrounding petrochemical industries enjoyed "extra-territorial status." Exempt from the planning jurisdiction of the Haifa municipality and from Israel's planning and licensing laws and regulations, the industries in the petrochemical complex of Haifa Bay were responsible for

Haifa oil refineries/ a large part of the pollution which has continually plagued the residents of Haifa and nearby areas. Today, things are changing as a detailed plan and an environmental impact assessment are being prepared for the area, and existing industrial plants are called upon to conform to planning and licensing requirements.

Environmental requirements are part and parcel of this new Personal Decree to Haifa Oil Refineries reality. Over the past few years, the Ministry of Environmental Environmental Protection Minister Gideon Ezra signed a personal Protection has published updated personal decrees for the decree on May 25, 2006, which instructs the Haifa oil refineries prevention of unreasonable air pollution, which are largely to comply with stringent regulations, based, as the case may be, based on European and American requirements for air pollution on the updated German regulations on technical guidance for prevention in comparable plants, as follows: air pollution control (TA-Luft 2002) and on European Council › Directive EC/96/61 which defines best available techniques (BAT) November 11, 2005 – personal decree to Haifa Chemicals. › for different industrial sectors and includes specific technologies May 25, 2006 – personal decree to the Haifa oil refineries. › which are adapted to the refineries (BREFs). BREFs (BAT Reference June 19, 2007 – personal decree to Gadiv Petrochemical Documents) are designed to demonstrate best available Industries. › techniques for specific sectors. November 25, 2007 – personal decree to Carmel Olefins. The amended personal decree to the oil refineries, which updates Within the framework of a comprehensive plan for the reduction of personal decrees which were originally signed in 1984 and industrial air pollution in Haifa, which is now being implemented, amended in 1985, 1992 and 1997, aims to bring about significant oversight over the implementation of these personal decrees reductions in air pollutant emissions from the oil refineries, by figures high. means of the following provisions: . › More stringent standards on sulfur oxides and particulates Action Plan for the Prevention of Air Pollution from emissions. Industrial Sources in Haifa Bay › Addition of new standards for nitrogen oxides, dioxins, furans The reduction of industrial air pollutant emissions in Haifa Bay is and metals. not restricted to the petrochemical complex alone. In 2007, the Ministry of Environmental Protection drafted a comprehensive › Reduction of fugitive or non-point emissions of volatile plan targeted at reducing pollutant emissions from industrial organic compounds. sources in Haifa – systematically and effectively. The ministerial › Regulation of emissions from the torches. action plan, developed in cooperation with the Haifa Association › Broader requirements for continuous monitoring, sampling, of Towns for the Environment, the industrial plants and the public, record keeping and reporting to make air emissions data will impose stringent standards on industrial plants in the area, in from the refineries accessible to the Ministry of Environmental accordance with European standards, and will update personal Protection, the supervising authority and the public. decrees to the plants within the framework of the Abatement of Nuisances Law. The Minister of Environmental Protection has decided that the oil refineries would be able to reduce their emissions by means of a The aim of the program is straightforward: to improve air quality switch to natural gas use. in Haifa Bay by means of the following two targets:

18 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 photo: Ilanphoto: Malester Haifa port/

1. Reducing air pollutant emissions from industrial plants 5. Integration in the plan of conditions stipulated in in order to prevent exceedances of the environmental personal decrees and of the ministry's decision on guideline values for Haifa Bay which were recommended emissions reductions through a switch to natural gas. by the Almog Committee. This committee prepared guideline values, which define both long term and short What's Been Done? term exposure limits, for 110 chemical pollutants in the Within the framework of the ministerial work plan for Haifa Bay, air which are considered harmful to public health in an air quality sampling project, which goes beyond measuring 2006. the traditional pollutants measured in monitoring stations, was 2. Implementing best available techniques (BAT) in large implemented. The project, which has seen the measurement industrial plants and installations which are identified as of "exotic" pollutants on four occasions – June and September subject to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control 2007 and February and April 2008 – is enabling the Ministry of (IPPC) and implementing TA Luft 2002 requirements in Environmental Protection to identify emission sources and to other factories in Haifa Bay. take steps targeted at reducing pollution emissions.

Outline of the Plan During the course of the project, some twenty points in Haifa 1. Immediate preliminary treatment (emergency measures) Bay and its vicinity were sampled for the following air pollutants: of emissions of carcinogens and suspected carcinogens particulates, heavy metals, hydrogen chloride, ammonia, found to exceed guideline values and standards. hydrogen sulfide, marcaptans, volatile organic compounds, polyaromatics, dioxins and furans, aldehydes and ketones 2. In the first stage, treatment of industrial plants with a (including formaldehyde). potential to emit those substances measured in high concentrations in relation to the Almog guidelines In each of the measurements, air was collected for a 24 hour values, and, in the second stage, treatment of other period and the contents were analyzed in specialized laboratories, plants which contribute to air pollution in Haifa Bay. mostly in Europe and the USA, to determine the composition 3. Different requirements for large plants (subject to the IPPC process) and for small plants (TA Luft 2002 >The Ministry of standards) based on a policy document published by the Air Quality Division of the Ministry of Environmental Environmental Protection has Protection. placed the treatment of the 4. Public participation in formulating requirements and overseeing their implementation by the industrial Haifa Bay hotspot high on its plants. list of priorities< www.environment.gov.il 19 Toward the Implementation of the Plan The first stage of the Plan for Air Emissions Reductions from Industrial Plants in Haifa Bay, which relates to the immediate reduction of pollutant emissions found in high concentrations in relation to the guideline values recommended by the Almog Committee, has largely been implemented. It included the following components: › Action Plan: Development of an action plan, in cooperation with the Haifa Association of Towns and its presentation to the industrial plants and to the public. › Planning Basis: Analysis of environmental assessments Haifa oil refineries/photo: Ilan Malester to identify pollutants exceeding the guideline values or found in high concentrations and to identify contributing and concentration of the substance in the air. The findings were industrial plants for immediate treatment, visits to the plants analyzed and compared to ambient air quality standards and to and compilation of data to establish priorities for treatment, health guideline values which were recommended by an expert including environmental surveys, samples, chemical committee chaired by Dr. Shlomo Almog. consumption data. › Drafting of conditions and guidelines: Drafting conditions Analysis of the first two sets of sampling results revealed and guidelines for short and long term action and their exceedances of diurnal and annual guideline values or standards publication in personal decrees or as conditions to the for the following pollutants: hydrogen chloride, benzene business license following comments from the plants. (carcinogen), chloroform (suspected carcinogen), methylene › chloride (suspected carcinogen) and formaldehyde (suspected Implementation and enforcement: Identifying problems carcinogen). One exceedance was found for the diurnal guideline and solving them during implementation and focusing on value for trichloroethylene and no exceedances were discovered enforcement to ensure compliance with the conditions in for dioxins and furans. With regard to polyaromatics, a relatively business licenses or personal decrees. high concentration was found in both surveys at one point only. To date, 15 industrial plants However, it should be borne in mind that these exceedances were identified as potentially only relate to an isolated measurement of 24 hours and do contributing to the emission not represent a year. Therefore, additional measurements are of carcinogens or suspected necessary to check whether the values do or do not exceed the carcinogens which exceed annual guideline value. the Almog Committee values, including the factories in the Nevertheless, and in light of the results, the Ministry of petrochemical complex and other Environmental Protection’s Air Quality Division and its Haifa chemical and distillate plants, region office drew up a list of installations in the Haifa Bay region which were targeted for immediate which, based on existing knowledge, hold, store, use or produce treatment. the materials found to exceed the guidelines values. The director of the Haifa region of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, During the implementation of the Robert Reuven, then dispatched letters to the industrial plants second part of the plan, which aims which specified the findings and called on the plants to use best to improve air quality in Haifa Bay, available techniques (BAT) to bring about immediate emissions major polluters of the environment reductions. The director emphasized that the Ministry of (IPPC plants) will be identified and Visit of the Haifa region director Environmental Protection will follow up on the implementation of action plans will be developed for and ministry officials to oil the requirements set in the business licenses or poisons permits both IPPC plants and for small and refineries/photo: Kamel Kazmal of the plants with regard to emissions reductions. Letters were medium sized plants, as follows: also sent to fuel companies regarding fueling stations and fuel storage terminals in the Haifa region to which benzene emissions › IPPC Plants in Haifa Bay: Identifying plants which will be could be attributed. subject to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)

20 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 photo: Ilanphoto: Malester View of Haifa Bay/ View

What is Integrated Pollution What is Leak Detection and Prevention and Control (IPPC)? Repair (LDAR) IPPC, which was introduced by the LDAR is a work practice designed to European Community Directive identify leaking equipment so that 96/61/EC, is a regulatory system that fugitive emissions can be reduced employs an integrated approach to through repairs. A component that control the environmental impact is subject to LDAR requirements to air, land and water of emissions must be monitored at specified, arising from industrial activities. regular intervals to determine It involves determining the whether or not it is leaking. Any appropriate controls for industry to leaking component must then protect the environment through a be repaired or replaced within a single permitting process. specified time frame. procedures in Haifa Bay. pumps, pipes, tanks The regulatory process and fuel tanks. "The for these plants will include the preparation of guidelines with air sampling project, which measured air quality throughout demands for an emissions survey, BAT-GAP survey, and plans the Bay area during the four seasons, cost the ministry some 2 for implementing best available techniques (BAT) and Leak million shekels," says Robert, "But the returns can be measured Detection and Repair (LDAR). The process is aimed at issuing in investments by industries which add up to tens of millions personal decrees/business licensing conditions which will of dollars." "Today," adds Reuven, "we know which hazardous include plans for the implementation of both BAT and LDAR. substance is in the possession of which installation, and we are working with each plant to prevent public risk." › Small and medium plants: Identifying industrial sectors with a potential for air pollution, for the purpose of preparing Industrial plants and installations in the Haifa region are now air pollution reduction demands according to TA Luft 2002. actively cooperating with the ministry. In nearly every installation, teams are at work discovering leaks, introducing filters, changing What Now? raw materials – and all to bring about significant reductions in According to Robert Reuven, director of the Haifa region of the air pollution. Hopefully, the results will not be long in coming. Ministry of Environmental Protection, the project, which was only As the air quality picture in Haifa Bay becomes clearer, updated initiated a year and a half ago, is already providing a more reliable personal decrees and business licensing conditions, coupled by picture of air quality conditions in Haifa and pinpointing the stringent oversight and enforcement on the part of the Ministry location of hot spots in Haifa Bay. The new model is not restricted of Environmental Protection, will make sure that best available to measuring pollutant emissions from stacks, but rather relates techniques are indeed introduced and implemented, allowing to significant fugitive emissions from all components, including Haifa's residents to breathe easier. www.environment.gov.il 21 LAKE KINNERET: photo: Ilanphoto: Malester A NATIONAL PRIORITY Kinneret coast at Ginossar/ at coast Kinneret

Israel Upgrades its been high, with the Kinneret's daily water Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee): level featured in many of the country's Facts and Figures Treatment of the Sea newspapers as a gauge of water supply in › Kinneret catchment basin: 2,730 Israel, this is not the case when it comes square kilometers to the large quantities of litter that have of Galilee › Surface area of the lake: 165 square traditionally been left behind by visitors The Sea of Galilee, known in Israel as kilometers on the shores of this unique lake. The Lake Kinneret, is often described in › litter problem has been attributed to such Mean depth: 25 meters superlatives: Israel's only freshwater factors as inappropriate behavioral norms › Maximum depth: 44 meters lake, the world's lowest freshwater among visitors, lack of awareness on the › Maximal volume: 4.3 billion cubic lake, a renowned Christian holy site, a part of both the public and the relevant meters major supplier of freshwater, a primary authorities, absence of appropriate › Length of coastlines: 55 kilometers recreation and leisure spot for Israelis and infrastructure for waste collection and › Length from north to south: 21 km tourists. Yet the wide range of activities inadequate cleanup budgets. which takes place in the 2730 square › Length from west to east: 12 km kilometer catchment basin impacts on Over the past few years, the Ministry of › Storage volume: 710 million cubic the Kinneret's ecosystem, on its water Environmental Protection has set out meters quality, on its unique landscapes and on to rectify the problem. In 2006, it first › Upper red line: -208.8 meters below the quality of life of residents. Tourism, inaugurated a multi-faceted action plan sea level (maximum level above recreation, sailing and commercial fishing, for cleaning up the open natural coasts which the lake would overflow) all of which take place in the region of the lake, came up with a slogan for › Lower red line: -213 meters below sea throughout the year, carry significant the project and allocated hundreds level (minimal water level permitting environmental impacts, including litter of thousands of shekels for cleanups, pumping, below which the Kinneret and water pollution. especially during the country's major may be endangered by pollutants) holidays. However, according to Izhak › Black line: -214.80 meters below sea While awareness of the quality and Ben-David, Deputy Director General level (pumping cannot continue) quantity of the Kinneret waters has always for Law Enforcement in the Ministry 22 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 of Environmental Protection, the real Distribution of Lake Kinneret Coasts Regulating the Management of the challenge lay in convincing the Treasury Kinneret Coasts that comprehensive treatment of the Kinneret and its watershed is not just Recognition of the Kinneret's national a local issue, but a national project. The importance, on the one hand, and of the real breakthrough came last year, when fact that the dispersal of authority among the Budget Division of the Ministry of different agencies has resulted in inadequate Finance recognized the Kinneret as a management of the lake and its shorelines, vital national resource and a government on the other hand, has led to important decision allocated 7.1 million shekels developments in Israel over the past year: for the implementation of the program › A government decision, dated August during a three-year period (2008-2011). Open coasts 25% 2007, to concentrate the authority Bordering agriculture for managing the Kinneret coastal and settlement areas 5% environment in a single agency Going for Cleanliness – It's Our (Association of Towns – Kinneret) and Kinneret Closed, private coasts 5% Private coasts 6% to entrust this Association with a wide The main objective of the Going for Public coasts 14% range of functions including treatment of Cleanliness – It's Our Kinneret project the Kinneret's coasts, maintenance and is to preserve the cleanliness of the Authority's responsibility for the cleanliness of the coasts, development Kinneret coasts in the long term and to cleanliness of the Kinneret's open of infrastructures, provision of free access protect Israel's water sources. The central coasts throughout the year. About to the water line, supervision over sailing idea behind the project, according to Dr. half of the program's budget will and fishing, treatment of pollution Sigal Blumenfeld, Head of Infrastructure be allocated to cleanliness, with events, and more. at the northern region of the Ministry cleanups taking place several times › A Law on Regulating the Management of of Environmental Protection, is to have a day, every day. the Kinneret Coasts, which was enacted both the public and local authorities take in April 2008. Its goal: "to regulate responsibility for the Kinneret and to bring 2. Placement of Litter Collection management of the Kinneret coasts about a much needed change in the Infrastructures: Placement of both with a comprehensive and uniform behavioral norms of Israeli recreationists. stationary and mobile litter collection view, while taking into consideration It is no wonder, then, that the second infrastructures is an essential part of the totality of unique aspects of the slogan chosen for the project is: "Taking the program, under the responsibility Kinneret, and to increase supervision Responsibility! Leaving a Clean Kinneret." of the Kinneret Authority. Hundreds and enforcement of legislation aimed of dumpsters and rubbish bins have at preventing or limiting damage to The program itself, whose toolkit already been distributed throughout the Kinneret." The law establishes a include cleanups and litter collection the Kinneret's open coasts for the Kinneret Association of Towns, with infrastructure, education and information, convenience of visitors. overall responsibility for managing the and enforcement, targets the open Kinneret coastal environment, while beaches around the Kinneret, some 25 3. Education: Education is an integral ensuring maximum coordination kilometers of coast which are open to the and inseparable part of the program among the different bodies dealing with public out of a total of 55 kilometers. aimed at instilling environmental the Kinneret coasts in terms of planning values and especially the importance and building, tourism, water quality of protecting and preserving one of Following are the major components and pollution prevention, environment, Israel's unique nature resources in the of the program: public health and more. younger generation. Israel's veteran 1. Cleanups: Within the framework environmental NGO, the Society for › Inauguration of the Kinneret Association of the project, the Ministry of the Protection of Nature, has already of Towns on September 9, 2008. The Environmental Protection signed begun implementing the program, Kinneret Drainage Authority will a three-year contract (November with plans calling for the participation serve as the implementing arm of the 2007-November 2010) with the of the Nature and Parks Authority Association. Kinneret Authority regarding the and the Government Advertising www.environment.gov.il 23 The Kinneret Project Kinneret cleanups/Photo: Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) – Making a Difference

By Dr. Sigal Blumenfeld Head of Infrastructure, Northern Region

Protection of Lake Kinneret in particular and of the entire Kinneret watershed in general is the flagship project of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. It emphasizes Photo: Gal Yitzhaki, an important aspect of the ministry's work that Kinneret Authority goes beyond regulation and enforcement – namely, taking action. In this case the Environmental Protection Ministry decided to take action to change a reality and make a difference, a deed which has precedent setting significance. I am convinced that our concentrated, focused and thoughtful efforts, within the framework of this ambitious program, will bring about a change in the behavior patterns of Israeli vacationers and in their relation to the environment and its resources.

“Going for cleanliness, Lake Kinneret it’s our Kinneret”/ campaign poster – A National Resource

By Izhak Ben David (Benda) Deputy Director General for Law Enforcement

Perhaps one of this year's most important environmental achieve- ments was the recognition by the government of Israel of Lake Kinneret as a vital national resource. The Ministry of Environmental Protection laid the groundwork for the government decision to upgrade the Kinneret to a national project by launching the Kinneret cleanliness project, which includes cleanups, educational and information programs and the participation of volunteers, along with inspectors of the Nature and Parks Authority and the Green Police, in law enforcement. Now that we installed new infrastructures for litter disposal on the coasts, recreationists actually prefer vacationing Photos: SPNI in the open coasts of the Kinneret.

24 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Bureau. In addition to school activities, the Maintenance of Cleanliness Law by plans call for educational programs on imposing fines on offenders. In addition, the the children's television channel. Ministry's Green Police and inspectors of the Nature and Parks Authority take an active 4. Information: A wide range of part in the enforcement program. information activities, both on the shores of the Kinneret and in nearby And the Results areas including hotels, is being undertaken, with the ultimate aim Visitors to the open beaches of Lake Kinneret of changing the recreational norms in the summer of 2008 were greeted with of both local residents and visitors. beaches cleaner than ever. This is attributed An information patrol interacts with to two factors: more responsible behavior on visitors to the Kinneret, who include the part of recreationists and investments in all sectors of Israel's population, and litter collection infrastructure. initiates quizzes and games, distributes gifts and garbage bags, and helps clean Beverage container collection/Photo: Hopes are now high that the combination up the shores of the lake together with Pinchas Green, Kinneret Authority. of recently instituted measures – the law on recreationists. Additional voluntary the management of the Kinneret's coasts, activities are undertaken by students, > The idea behind the three-year cleanliness program and the adults and youth groups, such as the allocation of funds to implement the multi- Kinneret Watch, run by the Society for the project is faceted program, will indeed allow for the the Protection of Nature. development of Lake Kinneret alongside to bring about its preservation as a vital water body and 5. Enforcement – A Kinneret policing a change in natural resource, for the benefit of residents unit, known as "Environment Guard- and tourists alike. Kinneret," was inaugurated on August the behavioral 14, 2008. The unit, made up of uniformed Hopefully, the superlatives which have Civil Guard volunteers equipped with a norms of Israeli traditionally been heaped on the lake will patrol car, has the authority to enforce recreationists< soon apply to its cleanliness level as well. Israel's Water Crisis

Israel is confronting one of its worst water crises ever. In the summer › Increase in desalinated water to 750 million cubic meters per of 2008, the country's main aquifers and the Sea of Galilee (Lake year by 2020, with 600 million cubic meters available by 2013. Kinneret) dropped below their red lines (safe minimum levels), Today, the Ashkelon and Palmachim desalination plants supply endangering water quality. On July 7, 2008, the Kinneret water 138 million cubic meters of water and another 100 million cubic level plunged to the red line, 213 meters below sea level, with the meters will be available with the completion of the Hadera black line (214.80 meters below sea level) expected to be reached by desalination plant. December 2008. Israel's water crisis follows four consecutive years of less than Kinneret Water Level average rainfall, with the most recent drought (2007/8) especially Maximal Level: -208.80 severe. To deal with the crisis, the government approved a five-year emergency program on June 1, 2008. The program includes the “Red Line”: -213 following components: Oct. 30.08 Level: -214.22 “Black Line”: -214.80 › Emergency steps to increase water supply and promote water savings and conservation. Bottom of Kinneret: -254.00 › Promotion of wastewater recovery facilities. © Data courtesy of the Water Authority www.environment.gov.il 25 photo: Ilanphoto: Malester POLLUTION LOADS TO RIVERS: 2006 Alexander River/ Alexander

River Pollutants Monitoring of Pollution › Major deterioration in the Over the past Loads Lachish River. The quality of the water › No change in the Na'aman 12 years, flowing in rivers is dependent The Ministry of Environmental River. on different factors: Protection tracks changes in pollution loads › quantity of pollutants the pollution of Israel's rivers In the Lower Jordan, Zippori to Israel's major discharged to rivers within the framework of its and Dalia River, data collection › quantity and quality of river restoration program. only began in 2003. rivers have fresh water Information on pollution › quality of the effluents trends is provided to pro- These figures clearly reveal been reduced discharged to the rivers fessionals, decision makers that, from a national and the general public in perspective, efforts to reduce by 50%-86% Over the past decade the State reports which relate to three the discharge of pollutants into of Israel has allocated some major indicators (total organic the country's rivers are paying Some 500 million cubic 6 billion shekels or about carbon, total nitrogen and off. As a result of monitoring, meters (MCM) of wastewater $1.5 billion for wastewater total phosphorous) in sixteen inspection and enforcement are produced in Israel each treatment systems. During the rivers undergoing restoration. activities by the Ministry of year, of which some 450 same period, the Ministry of Environmental Protection The most recent assessment MCM are treated, some Environmental Protection has and high investments in the of pollution in Israel's major 300 MCM are recovered for invested 150 million shekels in establishment of wastewater rivers over the past 12 years restoring the country's ailing treatment facilities, a signi- agricultural use and some (1994-2006) reveals a 50%- rivers - 30 river administrations ficant reduction in the quantity 200 MCM are discharged to 86% reduction in pollution were set up, riverbanks were of pollutants introduced into the environment, mainly to load. rivers. rehabilitated, riverside parks rivers has occurred. However, established and natural A closer look at some of this is far from enough. Despite Following years of neglect, in habitats restored. These efforts improvements in nearly all of Israel's rivers shows the which most of the country's are slowly beginning to bear the 16 rivers monitored, only following: rivers were tapped at source fruit. Wastewater treatment two may be characterized as to supply urban, industrial plants have helped stop the › Major improvement in clean, namely the Taninim and and agricultural demands discharge of sewage into the following rivers: Soreq, Zippori Rivers. Hopefully, the and replaced by wastewater rivers, stringent enforcement Taninim, Kishon, Hadera, operation of new or upgraded or effluent at different levels against polluters has been Harod, Poleg, Besor and wastewater treatment plants of treatment, major efforts carried out and monitoring Alexander. within the next few years were invested to make sure results are showing a gradual › Moderate improvement will bring about further that Israel's ailing rivers are improvement in the state of in the following rivers: improvements in pollution restored and revitalized. Israel's rivers. Yarkon and Ayalon. loads.

Indicator 1994 (ton/year) 2005 (ton/year) Rate of decrease 2006 (ton/year) Rate of decrease Total Organic Carbon 22,904 5,634 76% 4,713 80% Total Nitrogen 9,056 5,281 42% 4,554 50% Total Phosphorous 6,531 935 86% 950 86% 26 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 Results of Stream Monitoring in Judea and Samaria

The Environmental Unit of the and villages are connected to cesspits or discharged without In 2007, Israel approved Nature and Parks Authority, the a sewage system. As a result, treatment into streams. Israeli investments of some 120 Water and Streams Division of effluents have penetrated sources produce an estimated million shekels in wastewater the Ministry of Environmental into the subsoil and polluted 17.5 million cubic meters per treatment infrastructure in Protection and the Civil groundwater and springs. year, 31.5% of which is disposed Judea and Samaria. As a result, Administration's environmental in cesspits or discharged without In recognition of the problem, some 15.2 million cubic meters unit conducted a major study treatment into streams. the environmental unit of the of wastewater were treated in of river pollution in Judea and The report highlights the urgent 2007 and another 12 million Samaria (the West Bank) in 2007. Israel Nature and Parks Authority need for cooperation among cubic meters of raw sewage The results, released to the media and the Judea and Samaria all stakeholders to connect were treated in 2008 – a total on September 22, 2008, show regional office of the Ministry all of the localities to sewage high pollutant concentrations of Environmental Protection of 27.2 million cubic meters. treatment facilities, to construct in all nine streams monitored: selected the main streams Furthermore, several wastewater new intensive treatment plants Kishon, Shechem, Kana, Shilo, suffering from pollution and treatment plants are in the early and to upgrade existing plants, Soreq, Modi'in, Michmash, initiated long term monitoring stages of planning, largely while increasing pollution Kidron and Hebron. in order to evaluate the extent funded by international donors. enforcement and monitoring, of the pollution and to quantify However, as highlighted in Some 2.8 million people reside in in order to prevent irreversible and evaluate the effluents the report, much remains to the Judea and Samaria region, damage to the mountain aquifer. flowing into these streams. including both Israelis and Efficient wastewater treatment be done. The cooperation of Palestinians. Due to conflicts According to the report, will not only prevent stream donor countries is needed for and economic constraints, the Palestinian towns and cities pollution, but can minimize the the construction and proper effluents of more than 2 million produce an estimated 56 million Palestinian/Israeli water crisis by maintenance of a wastewater people are inadequately treated, cubic meters of sewage per year, providing treated wastewater for collection and treatment and only some of the cities 94% of which is disposed in agricultural irrigation. infrastructure in the region. photo: Ilanphoto: Malester photo: Eyal Yaffe Eyal photo: photo: Ilanphoto: Malester photo: Eyal Yaffe Eyal photo: Alexander River/ Alexander Jordan River/ Jordan River/ Taninim River/ Hadera photo: Eyal Yaffe Eyal photo: photo: Eyal Yaffe Eyal photo: photo: Eyal Yaffe Eyal photo: photo: Ilanphoto: Malester Yarkon River/ Yarkon Kishon River/ River/ Poleg Jordan River/ Jordan www.environment.gov.il 27 ISRAEL AWARDS "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION"

12 leading Israel celebrated its 60th served as an example to the the cause of nature and anniversary year in 2008. The thousands who attended the landscape conservation in environmentalists occasion proved a fitting ceremony. I believe that others the early years of the state, received lifetime time to celebrate 60 years will opt to follow their path, when the environment achievement of environmental activity as based on the understanding was not even on the public well. In a special salute to that even isolated individuals agenda and when accelerated awards for their the environment and to the have the power to change building and development struggle on men and women who have the world order, to make a were the order of the day. behalf of a better dedicated themselves to the difference. And if this would Other winners included the cause of the environment only occur, it would be our founders of local and national environment in in Israel since the founding biggest gain." environmental organizations, Israel of the State, 12 leading envi- parliamentarians, scientists, ronmentalists were presented The Selection Process geo graphers and planners – all of whom played and continue with a "Lifetime Achievement On July 31, 2008, the selection Fields of Lifetime to play key roles in the struggle Award for Environmental committee, headed by Sup- Achievement to protect the environment in Protection." reme Court Justice (retired) Winners were awarded Israel. the prize for making a The festive event took place Jacob Turkel, selected significant contribution to the in the amphitheater of the twelve winners out of the 62 In relating to the twelve environment in Israel from the Caesarea National Park on can di dates for the award, winners, Environmental time of the State's founding September 16, 2008, in the which included scientists, Protection Minister Gideon public personalities and Ezra said: "The winners serve until today, among others, in presence of the President of the environmental activists. The as a personal example and the following fields: State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres committee itself included model for environmental › Conservation of flora and and Environmental Protection seven members, representing action. Most of them fauna Minister Gideon Ezra. The different disciplines. promoted the subject years › event itself was organized Open space conservation before it became “popular” in cooperation with the › Protection of environmental The winners were chosen on and of public importance, country's environmental non- resources the basis of several criteria, and they deserve all our governmental organizations › Promotion of environmental including the impact of their congratulations." and the Committee for Israel's awareness and education activity on the environment 60th Independence Day The chairman of the selection › and on the environmental Energy conservation and Events. committee, Justice (ret.) Tirkel agenda. In fact, many of savings stated that "the committee did the winners championed › Cleanliness in public areas According to Alex Kaplan, its best to have its selections who coordinated the event › Environmental research reflect the widest possible on behalf of the Ministry of › Environmental legislation range of personalities and Environmental Protection, "this fields of achievement and that › Development of was a unique and exceptional it very much regrets that it was environmental event, an event which allowed unable to present the award to infrastructure the ministry to pay tribute to all of the candidates, since all › Technological development Israel's major environmental of them deserved it." with environmental impact activists from the time of the founding of the State until The award itself, a butterfly › Environmental planning today. The winners, who alighting atop a flower, was › Communications and dedicated themselves to the Israel President Shimon Peres specially designed by Israeli publications and Environmental Protection cause of the environment, Minister Gideon Ezra at the award sculptor David Gerstein. ceremony/Photo: Oded Antman 28 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 And the winners are: Azaria Alon University. He was one of the the struggle to prevent and Prof. Alon is one of the founders of the International remove asbestos hazards in Tal is a founders of Center for the Study of Bird Nahariya and the Western professor in the Society for Migration in Latrun, has Galilee. She founded the the Blaustein the Protection played an active part in Association for Quality of Institutes of Nature in raising awareness of nature Life and the Environment in for Desert Israel. He is the protection and, most recently, Nahariya which, in addition Research at editor of the Encyclopedia of organized elections for Israel's to asbestos, deals with Ben Gurion University. He Plant and Animal Life in Israel, national bird. sustainable planning, open founded the Israel Union for has written hundreds of books space protection, community Environmental Defense, Israel's and articles on the protection Prof. Uri empowerment and foremost environmental of flora and fauna and is the Marinov is environmental education. advocacy NGO, and the Arava host of an environmental a professor Institute for Environmental radio show. in the Yoav Sagi, Studies in Kibbutz Ketura. Department director of Ori Dvir, of Natural the Open Yosef Tamir Israeli born, is Resources and Landscape is one of a teacher and Environmental Management Institute Israel's first guide on the of Haifa University and also (Deshe environmental geography serves as an environmental Institute), activists. As of Israel. He consultant. He helped found is one of the founders of a Knesset published Israel's first environmental the Nature Conservation member, numerous articles and books administration and was one Department of the Society he helped enact on hikes and trailing maps, of the founders of the Ministry for the Protection of Nature in numerous environmental hosted radio and television of the Environment, where Israel and of the National River laws, established the shows on these subjects he served as its first director Restoration Administration umbrella organization for and spearheaded the Israel general. and is a member of the environmental NGOs, Life and National Trail marking project. National Planning and the Environment, and remains Prof. Emanuel Building Board. He is a long- active in the environmental Bilha Givon Mazor is time activist on behalf of open movement. founded a member space conservation. the NGO of the Prof. Amotz "Sustainable Department of Prof. Hillel Zahavi is Development Environmental Shuval was one of the for the Sciences one of the founders of Negev" and and Energy Research at founders the Society is dedicated to improving the Weizmann Institute of of the for the the quality of life and the Science. He published more government Protection of environment in the Beersheba than 100 master plans with program for Nature in Israel and of the Oded Antman Photos: and Negev area. She has environmental aspects environmental protection, Nature Conservation Research spearheaded numerous and took an active part in advanced the field of health Institute in Tel Aviv University. environmental campaigns environmental campaigns on and the environment in Israel He is a prominent and is a major force in the open space conservation in for 50 years, served as an zoologist, one of the environmental movement. general and the Ramon area in environmental researcher founders of the field particular. and promoted wastewater school system in Israel Dr. Yossi recycling. He heads the and an environmental Leshem is a Orit Reich has Environmental Health Science activist and currently lecturer and been active Department of Hadassah heads the Hatzeva researcher for the past College. in Tel Aviv 15 years in Field School. www.environment.gov.il 29 WITH A FACE TO THE PUBLIC

GREENING THE MEDIA

By Sharon economists and decision number and growing Protection and one green Achdut makers. The mass media has professionalism of organization, none of Israel's Spokesperson, followed suit, generating environmental spokespeople environmental NGOs had a Ministry of even greater public interest in has played an important professional spokesperson. Environmental environmental issues. part in the growth of media Today there is no national Protection coverage of environmental organization, and at times I believe that alongside issues. A decade ago, even a local organization, Traditionally, two major the rise in environmental with the exception of the that does not employ a full- subjects were on the public awareness, the growing Ministry of Environmental time spokesperson. agenda in Israel: political- security-related issues and Rise in Environmental Reporting economic-social issues. (Average Number of Environmental Pages in the Press) In recent years, however, 900 892 we have witnessed the 842 penetration of additional 850 topics including education, 800 health, welfare, consumerism 750 and, most importantly, the 722 environment. 700 673 650 In the beginning of this 608 decade, environmental stories 600 573 only hit the front pages under 550 539 exceptional circumstances, such as when the pipeline of 500 478 the Dan Region Wastewater 450 Treatment Plant burst in 2003 400 or when risk to public health 359 336 was suspected as in the case 350 322 of radiation from cellular Media Research Yifat Source: no. of pages in the press 300 antennas. 250 However, much has changed 200 in recent years, with 150 environmental awareness on the rise among all sectors of 100 Israeli society – teenagers, 50 soldiers, students, the media, public relations firms, 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 30 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 within the political parties, the Pratt Award for Environmental Journalism competition is on as to which In recognition of the role of the mass media in promoting public debate about the future of Knesset member will be the Israel’s environment, the Pratt Foundation of Melbourne, Australia established the Pratt Award for green representative. Environmental Journalism in 2002 to encourage excellence in reporting about the environment in Israel. The Pratt Prize is awarded annually to cutting-edge environmental reporting at the national, Green Talk local, and community levels, in both the print media and the electronic media. The Award is designed to raise awareness among the Israeli public and the media community about the social, economic, Throughout Israel, green cultural and ethical aspects of the environmental crisis in Israel. talk is increasingly heard. Beginning with politicians and The Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership, responsible for the administration of ending with public relations the award process, reports that entries have grown dramatically over the six years since the prize was experts, decision makers in first introduced, reaching 110 candidates in 2008. Since the initiation of the prize, the prominence and all walks of life are beginning depth of media coverage of environmental issues have grown significantly. to recognize the potential for media exposure that "green talk" holds. However, it is important for the public to demand comprehensive treatment of environmental issues, whether in politics, the Illustration: BSK economy or the media. Green spins and greenwash should be a thing of the past. Today, environmental topics reasons may be traced back to Knesset is already the largest reach the news pages, are the increasing involvement of lobby in Israel's parliament, As environmental awareness covered in greater depth and the Ministry of Environmental with members spanning all continues to grow, green may feature on front pages Protection in decision making political parties. Moreover, spokespeople in the country's as main stories. At the same processes, both in the political parties are adding environmental organizations time, investigative reporting government and in planning environmental issues to their as well as politicians will on environmental and public agencies, and the increasing platforms, in preparation for continue to speak out their health issues is on the rise. importance of the ministry's the country's municipal and message. And the media will position on high-priority national elections. listen and report. According to data released economic issues – transport, by Yifat Media Research, energy, industry, real estate While in the past the political- In 2007, we, at the Ministry environmental reporting in and infrastructure. Today, security agenda was of top of Environmental Protection, the Israeli media has risen by it is well recognized that importance among political responded to some 5000 300% over the past decade. In environmental issues dovetail parties, the environment is requests for information 2007 alone, a 25% increase in with just about every area that now gaining ground as well. from reporters compared to environmental reporting was touches our lives, especially I believe that the electoral about 2500 queries just three noted in comparison to 2006. from the economic aspect. potential of the environment is years ago. And on our part, The media has internalized very high, with the possibility we increased the number of of gaining numerous our press releases by tens of The Link between the this message. mandates, across the political percentages. Without doubt, Environment and the spectrum. If elections to environmental coverage will Economy The Link between the the Knesset were to be held continue to capture a larger Environment and Politics Perhaps more than anywhere today, a green party could share of our country's news else, the environment features Green is also making its way well win seats in the cabinet pages, as stories become on the economic pages of all into Israel's political system. and could well head at least even more comprehensive of Israel's newspapers. The The "Green Lobby" in the one Knesset committee. Even and professional in the future. www.environment.gov.il 31 WITH A FACE TO THE PUBLIC REACHING OUT – CONFERENCES AND EVENTS IN ISRAEL IrumPhoto: Shahid

Environmental and Ministry of Education, the event is policies which address environmental meant to raise public awareness of nature, impacts over the whole life-cycle of conferences and heritage, environmental and water materials. Some 85 participants from Israel protection, so that future generations will and abroad attended the workshop. events in the second also be able to enjoy natural and heritage treasures and will take steps to protect half of 2008 reached Green in the City – Children's them. out to all sectors of Conference More than 3,000 children and youth OECD Workshop on Sustainable Israel's population participated in this conference, which Materials Management took place in Haifa in the beginning Week of Love for Nature, Water and An OECD Workshop on Sustainable of April 2008. The conference, which the Environment Materials Management focusing on was first initiated by the Society for the The 2008 Week of Love for Nature, Water front-runners' experience on Sustainable Protection of Nature in 2000, provides and the Environment took place for the Materials Management (SMM) was a platform for an ongoing educational sixth year running from March 29, 2008 to convened on April 7-9, 2008 in Tel Aviv, process revolving around relevant social- April 5, 2008. Organized by the Ministry followed by a meeting of the Group on environmental issues. It represents the of Environmental Protection, Nature and Waste Prevention and Recycling. SMM peak of the SPNI's educational program, Parks Authority, Israel Water Authority emphasizes integrated material and waste known as "Children Spearhead Change" 32 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 5th Annual EcoCinema Festival and to examine potential solutions with the participation of a wide range EcoCinema, an environmental film festival photo:SPNI of stakeholders. Among the actions operating in Israel since 2004, held its initiated over the past year: launching of 2008 event in five cities simultaneously- a campaign on the reduction of plastic in the Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rosh Pina bag use, legislative proposals to the and Sderot cinematheques from the 15th Knesset and initiatives by retail chains to to 25th of May 2008. The festival included films from around the world, meetings sell reusable shopping bags. with filmmakers, green products fairs, activities for children, workshops, music, Caesarea Forum for Formulating street theater, guided walks, bicycle trips National Economic Policy Flying kitesgreetings/ with green Flying and more. and empowers children to act on behalf The Caesarea Forum, one of Israel's of the environment in the school, most prestigious economic conferences, Butterflies of the Middle East - 1st community, city and country. This year's highlighted environment and economy International Congress conference focused on the issue of urban as one of its four main topics for the first ecology, with the aim of increasing public The congress, organized by the Israeli time ever this year. One of the sessions awareness of nature within the city. Lepidopterists Society, took place in the of the Forum, which was held in Eilat on Hebrew University of Jerusalem and July 2-3, 2008, was dedicated to the topic of a "Green Economy" and related to the Working Meeting of the Methyl Ramat Hanadiv Nature Park on May 29- incorporation of environmental policies Bromide Technical Options 31, 2008, and included both lectures and field trips. Environmental Protection into Israel's economic decision making Committee Minister Gideon Ezra took the opportunity process in both the public and private A five-day working meeting of the afforded by the congress to declare a new sectors. Methyl Bromide Technical Options Com- butterfly species: the Jerusalem Fritillary. mittee (MBTOC), within the framework Seminar on Islam and Environmental of the Montreal Protocol, convened in Green Globe Award Ceremony Protection Israel in mid-April 2008. The aim of the meeting was to review the nomina- Israel's central event on the occasion of A seminar on Islam and Environmental tions of the parties, including Israel, for World Environment Day was the Green Protection took place in the city of Umm methyl bromide critical uses. During the Globe award ceremony, sponsored by Life el Fahm on August 14, 2008. The seminar course of the working meeting, one day and the Environment, Israel's umbrella was a cooperative venture of the Ministry was devoted to guided tours to agri- organization for some 100 environmental of the Interior, Ministry of Environmental cultural areas, date packing houses and NGOs. During this high-profile event, Protection, Umm el Fahm Municipality, flour mills. Within the framework of the special prizes were presented to the Islamic Administration and Testimony tours, achievements in applying methyl organizations, businesses, Knesset Division and the Northern Triangle bromide alternatives in different branches members, projects and individuals who Environmental Unit. In preparation for the were presented alongside continuing ef- have taken significant action on behalf of seminar, various educational materials in forts to investigate alternatives for critical the environment in Israel Arabic were produced, including a CD uses to minimize methyl bromide use. with information on the environment, including sources from the Koran, a Public Forum on Reducing the Use of poster and stickers. Plastic Bags: June 17, 2008

A public forum on actions which should Cleanup Week in Israel be taken to reduce the excessive use of plastic bags in Israel was convened Israel joined the world community in by Environmental Protection Minister celebrating Clean Up the World Weekend Gideon Ezra in the Israel Knesset on and International Coastal Cleanup Day June 17, 2008. It was designed to during the week of September 15-20, Members of MBTOC in Israel Members of MBTOC increase public awareness of the subject 2008. Events included coastal cleanups to www.environment.gov.il 33 Israel Environmental Protection Minister Meets USEPA Administrator US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Administrator, Stephen L. Johnson and Israel Environmental Protection Minister Gideon Ezra Minister Gideon Ezra with EPA met in Tel Aviv on October 23, 2008, to discuss Administrator Johnson/Photo: Meir Partosh International Coastal Cleanup Week in Israel, increased cooperation and information exchange Underwater cleanups in Eilat/photo: Shachar Katz, SPNI in a number of environmental fields, including response to hazardous substance events, reclamation and decontamination and homeland security. raise public awareness and calls to local authorities to improve beach cleanliness. Minister Gideon Ezra invited the EPA Administrator to visit Israel in order to enhance the Coastal cleanups were organized by the professional ties between the two bodies and to increase collaboration on more effective Ministry of Environmental Protection, approaches to environmental protection. Prior to his departure from the USA, Mr. Johnson in cooperation with Clean Up Israel, the noted that he believes that the EPA can benefit from Israel’s experience in the fields of water Israel Defense Forces, associations of security, emergency response, and risk communication programs. towns, the Society for the Protection of On October 23rd, Mr. Johnson was the keynote speaker in a roundtable discussion entitled Nature in Israel and other organizations. "The Business Case for Environmental Protection," which was held at the Porter School for Environmental Studies at Tel Aviv University. Public Transport Day In his address to the participants in the roundtable, Johnson related to the record of Israel celebrated Public Transport Day environmental protection in the United States over the past 30 years. Some excerpts: "It is on September 23, 2008 in a special clearly possible to achieve both significant economic growth and an improved environment. conference on public transport in the city, Since the early 1970s when EPA was established, the U.S. population has grown by nearly 40 organized by the NGO Transport Today & percent, our energy use has increased by almost half, and our gross domestic product has Tomorrow. The conference focused on nearly tripled. Yet even with these added demands the link between urban planning and on our natural resources, emissions of major mass transit, and on the efforts of Israel’s pollutants in the U.S. have decreased three major cities to develop their own more than 50 percent. public transportation systems So how did this happen? How has the U.S. achieved 7th Annual Conference on a balance between Environmental Education environmental protection Israel's seventh conference on and economic growth? environmental education and Our success in achieving sustainability took place on October this balance is based on 28, 2008. Organized by the Ministry a strong foundation of Environmental Protection and the of environmental Ministry of Education, the conference laws and regulations, also marked the declaration of 2008/9 as and a fair and firm a green year in the educational system. enforcement. When The conference focused on Israel's water companies know that crisis and the interrelations between the environmental laws water, climate change and practical steps have teeth, there’s a for confronting the challenges ahead. culture of compliance.” 34 ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN | vol.32 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

Clean Air Law, 2008 › Preparation of a national plan for the inspectors will also have the power to reduction of air pollution. carry out investigations, confiscate any July 22, 2008 will long be remembered › Procedures for monitoring and item related to the offense and request a as the day in which Israel's Knesset assessment of air pollutants, search warrant from a court. (parliament) passed the Clean Air Law. compilation of air quality data, and air The law, which was enacted following pollution forecasts. The income derived from the imposition some three years of deliberation, will › Emission permits for major industrial of fines will be paid to the local authorities come into effect in January 2011. sources of pollution. themselves, thus serving as an incentive Its implementation, according to › Concentration of enforcement for intensifying their efforts to enforce Environmental Protection Minister Ezra, procedures and stricter penalty environmental laws within their will require additional manpower and a frameworks under one statutory jurisdictions. Thereby, the law creates an much larger budget. However, says Ezra, body. economic mechanism which will both "the allocation of these resources for › Obligations of local authorities to increase environmental law enforcement the law's implementation will pay off: prevent and reduce air pollution in and strengthen local government in the reduction of pollution will not only their jurisdiction. Israel. diminish risks to the public but will also › Provision of authority to the Ministry reduce the economic costs which are of Environmental Protection to deal caused by pollution, and at the end of Environmental Protection Law with vehicular pollution. the day, will lead to major benefits to the (Polluter Pays) (Legislative Amendments), 2008 economy." Local Authorities Law (Environmental Enforcement The aim of the Polluter Pays Law, which The aim of the law is: "to improve air – Authorities of Inspectors), 2008 was enacted in July 2008, is "to protect quality and prevent and reduce air and preserve a proper quality of the pollution, inter alia, by establishing The Israel Knesset enacted the Local environment and to improve it, to prohibitions and obligations according Authorities Environmental Enforcement prevent damage to the environment to the precautionary principle, in order Law in June 2008. The law, which will or to public health and to negate the to protect human life, health and quality come into force a year after its publication, economic benefit in causing damage to of life and to protect the environment grants local authorities far-reaching the environment, inter alia, by means of including natural resources, ecosystems authority in the enforcement of a wide penalties that take account of the value of and biodiversity, for the public and for range of environmental laws, which the damage caused, the benefit derived future generations, while considering were previously enforced by central or the profits reaped from implementing their needs." government. The main aim of the law is to delegate authority to local authority the offenses dealing with the aforesaid The 97-clause law provides a inspectors, who, following the requisite damage." comprehensive framework for the training, will be empowered with police The law seeks to ensure that it will no treatment and prevention of air pollution authority to carry out inspections, longer be more economically feasible by setting responsibilities and imposing investigations and searches to prevent or for companies to pollute than to treat obligations on the government, local discover offenses. and prevent pollution. To do this, the law authorities and the industrial sector, as amends 14 different laws, significantly follows: In order to carry out their powers, municipal inspectors will be able, for increasing the fines for violating these › A new regulatory framework for example, to ask an individual for proof laws, at times up to 2.4 million shekels, setting stationary and ambient of identity, to carry out sampling or and providing for prison sentences of up emission standards and regular measurements and to enter premises. If to three years. In addition, companies can revision of air quality standards for air suspicion arises that an environmental now be fined before they are convicted in pollutants. offense was committed, municipal court on criminal grounds. www.environment.gov.il 35