Israeli Knesset Reveals Billions Allocated to Climate Policy Without Central Oversight
In a landmark discussion on climate engineering, the Israeli Knesset's Interior and Environmental Protection Committee reviewed reports from the State Comptroller, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The State Comptroller's report revealed that approximately 8.8 billion shekels have been allocated over the years to climate-related policies across various ministries, yet no single government body oversees or coordinates these funds. Furthermore, the Cabinet Committee on Climate Affairs has not convened.
The joint report from the Health and Environmental Protection Ministries highlighted the severe impact of air pollution in 2023, citing 5,510 premature deaths and an economic loss estimated at 22.5 billion shekels. A professional review by the Knesset Research and Information Center noted that several countries in the US and Europe have established legislative and regulatory frameworks addressing climate engineering, including public accountability and risk management.
Representatives from the Health Ministry, Environmental Protection Ministry, Meteorological Service, Water Authority, and Ministry of Science stated that no applied climate engineering activities currently exist in Israel. They acknowledged the absence of dedicated legislation regulating the field and emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce pollutant emissions, monitor global developments, expand research, and enhance inter-agency cooperation.
Climate activist Shelly Bendel Rollings, a discussion initiator, stressed the need for transparency, stating, "We are not asking to halt science or innovation. We demand transparency so the Israeli public knows who examines, supervises, and decides on these issues as technologies evolve."
The session concluded without operational decisions but marked the first time climate engineering was formally addressed in the Knesset, raising critical questions about Israel's climate policy management, oversight mechanisms, public transparency, and preparedness for future developments in the field.
