Israel's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decline Slightly, Methane Surges

Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection released its 2025 emissions data, revealing a 3% decrease in overall greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous year. This reduction, attributed largely to a decreased reliance on coal for electricity generation, has saved the economy an estimated 4.2 billion shekels. However, the report also highlights a significant 38% surge in methane emissions originating from landfills, a trend that warrants further attention.

The report identifies the top 20 industrial polluters based on the external costs of their air pollutant emissions. Power stations operated by the Israel Electric Corporation, Nesher Ramla cement factory, and the Efeh landfill in the Tamar Regional Council were identified as the most significant contributors. These top 20 facilities are responsible for approximately 80% of the total economic damage caused by pollution, which amounted to 34.2 billion shekels in 2025.

Transportation remains the largest source of economic damage from pollution, accounting for 33% of the total, followed by electricity generation at 26%. The Efeh landfill's high ranking is attributed to an updated model for calculating biogas production, which led to a 152% increase in estimated biogas emissions from the site. The report also noted that some emission reductions were influenced by the ongoing conflict, with decreased industrial activity at refineries leading to lower emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and inhalable particles.

Despite the overall decrease in greenhouse gases, the report indicates that Israel's reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation remains high, at 83% in 2025, which is the highest among OECD countries. While electricity production from renewable energy sources saw a substantial 16% increase, the overall shift away from fossil fuels is still lagging behind international trends. The ministry is also investigating discrepancies between reported benzene emissions and measured concentrations in the Haifa Bay and Ashdod industrial zones.