OECD Environmental Policy Committee

Accession Review of Israel 21.10.2009

Dr. Yossi Inbar - Director General Valerie Brachya – Consultant

Ministry of Environmental Protection www.environment.gov.il

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Accepts

Water

Resource Management C(89)12, C(78)4, C(74)220

Sources

 Surface and underground water resources owned and managed by national water authority   95% sewage collected, 90% treated and 75% reused for agricultural irrigation. Upgraded for unrestricted agricultural use Desalination of brackish and marine water

Pricing

   Water price reflects abstraction and marginal costs, with differentiated tariffs related to consumption levels and type of user 2009 drought levy imposed on domestic users Ministry of EP empowered to establish river or stream authorities for ecological improvement and pollution prevention 2

Accepts

Water

Pollution Prevention C(74)221

Standards

 Regulations imposed to reduce salinity, restrict heavy metals and set pH levels for industrial effluents & sewage sludge   Stricter regulations on 36 pollutants in effluents awaiting approval Regulations to restrict approx 50 priority organic contaminants in preparation

Constraints on pollution sources

 Interministerial guidelines to reduce pollution from farming  Legislation on pollution prevention from oil storage tanks and soil remediation in preparation 6

Accepts

Energy

Fuels and Efficiency C(85)102, C(77)109, C(85)101, C(76)162, C(79)117

Electricity production

 Currently (2009) 65% coal, 32% natural gas (will increase to 40-50% from offshore fields, LNG); generating capacity 10,000 MW, expected to double by 2020 if BAU   3% energy demand saved through domestic solar water heating 10% renewables target by 2020 (Government issued tender for 250MW thermo-solar)  Electricity Authority sets prices, including incentive for renewables based on pollution prevented

Efficiency

    Energy efficiency target 20% reduction by 2020 compared to BAU Mandatory energy efficiency regulations on new appliances Voluntary energy efficiency building standard (mandatory in future) Government established research fund: $100million over 5 years to promote RE+EE 7

Energy

Pollution Prevention

Pollution controls

    Business license - operational conditions on power stations Clean Air Act - emission permits (2011) Abatement of Nuisances Regulations – reductions of SO2, NOX and particulates in line with EU directive (6 years - need reserve capacity to enable retrofit) Low sulfur coal, high stacks for dispersion, scrubbers on 2 units and will be fitted on others, electrostatic precipitators on stacks, monitoring networks

Integration of environment and energy

 Integration through NBPB masterplan for power stations, including EIA 9

Accepts Timeframe 2011

IPPC

C(90)164

Already implemented

      Adopted 2006 to be applied to 150 installations through Business Licenses Implementation in process in industrial hotspots: Ramat Hovav, Haifa Bay, in future - Ashdod Separate permits required for marine discharge, hazardous materials, air emissions (2011) BAT and monitoring required Enforcement by Ministry of EP EIA on major plants and industrial areas

Roadmap for full implementation of IPPC

   2009: consultant 2010: preparation 2011: implementation by sectors 10

Accepts

Noise

C(85)103, C(78)73

Transport noise

     No manufacture of vehicles Adopted EU vehicle noise standards Aircraft require noise certificates National masterplans include noise regulations around airports, along flight paths and along surface transportation, Surface transportation (road and rail) standards adopted by government decision

Other noise sources

  Regulations on products and their use Abatement regulations:   noise in residential areas construction noise 11

Accepts

Transport

C(74)218, C(2004)80

Planning

 NBPB national masterplan 35 supports urban development, reduction of sprawl and efficient public transport   National masterplan for integrated surface transport in preparation Ministry of Transport allocated major investment to public transport, including interurban rail and electrification of rail (6.4 billion €)   Ministry of Transport revised project appraisal to improve consideration of noise, air pollution and landscape protection EIA of transportation projects includes evaluation of alternatives

Pollution control

   Traffic Ordinance - vehicle emission standards equivalent to EU 2009 green taxation imposed on vehicles and fuels according to level of emissions 2009 tender issued for scrapping old vehicles 12

Accepts

Tourism

C(79)115

Planning

  NBPB national masterplan for tourism Planning constraints on building in attractive, sensitive areas - coasts, landscape value   Natural and cultural values protected by relevant statutory authorities Strategy for sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, submitted by Ministry of Tourism

Greening tourism

   Ministry of Tourism allocates grants for tourist use of historic buildings, stream reclamation Promotion of green building/green management in tourism by Ministries of Tourism and EP Hotels distribute information to visitors to encourage water conservation 13

Accepts

Coastal Zone Management

C(76)161, C(92)114

Planning

 Coastal protection included in legislation on land use planning, land management, nature protection and protection of antiquities   NBPB directive for national masterplan 1970, approved 1983 included 100m setback, restraints on development, designation of protected areas NBPB masterplan for ports included sand bypassing

Prevention of damage and pollution

  2004 coastal law integrated coastal and marine management and added public access, liability for damage to coastal resources and enforcement Marine pollution prevention strictly enforced in accordance with Barcelona Convention 14

Accepts Timeframe 2011

Biodiversity

C(2004)81

Regulatory control

   Stringent controls through legislation on nature protection National biodiversity strategic action plan to be submitted to government 2010 Planning authorities impose biodiversity conservation conditions on infrastructure plans

Economic instruments

  Specific cases of compensation to farmers for losses and to encourage ecotourism 2009 new Landscape Fund in Lands Authority for change of land use 15

Material Flows and Resource Productivity

C(2004)79, C(2008)40 Accepts Timeframe ?

Natural resources

  Few natural resources, mineral or biomass Phosphates, Dead Sea minerals, aggregates

Indicators

   Information on material flows and stocks not currently available Industry willing to participate in indicators and resource accounting Ministry of EP and CBS recognize need for data on tracking stocks and flows, aware of gaps, will participate in OECD activities 16

Accepts

Polluter Pays Principle

C(72)128, C(74)223, C(89)881

No major barriers

  Environment not a non tariff barrier No subsidy on energy, no tax on coal

Increasing implementation

 Polluter pays Law 2008 imposes fines    1993 Hazardous Substances Law – differentiated fee for permit based on risk Fines on illegal marine discharge Increased fines for emissions - Clean Air Act (2011) 17

Accepts

Economic Instruments

C(90)177    

Instruments for waste disposal

Landfill levy Deposit refund on beverage containers Levy of PET drink containers EPR on manufacturers and importers of tyres

Green taxation

 Differential taxation on fuels and vehicles in relation to emissions

Environmental funds

  Levy on extraction to Quarry Reclamation Fund Fee on ships to Marine Pollution Prevention Fund

Economic incentives

  Premiums and feed-in tariffs for renewable energy Promotion of green building

Instruments in process

   Liability for contaminated land – 2010 legislation to be submitted by end Levies on permitted air emissions from 2011 Incorporation of environmental risks as financial risks by financial regulators 18

Public Environmental Expenditure

C(2006)84 Accepts Timeframe 2011     Ministerial budgets and work programmes - according to PMO guidelines for results accountability and available to public Preparing measurable indicators (2011) Targeted funds exist for Marine Pollution, Cleanliness, Animal Protection, Quarry Reclamation Review of practice in relation to annex will be undertaken (2010/11) 19

Greening public procurement

C(2002)3 Accepts Timeframe 2010     2008 amendment to mandatory tenders law - preference to purchase products accredited by international or Israeli authority or practice Workplan to accredit at least 10 items a year, commonly purchased by Ministries Environmental criteria are incorporated into government tenders, eg. desalination Government purchasing preference to recycled, trade-in products and hybrid vehicles 20

Accepts

Environmental Impact Assessment

C(79)116, C(74)216

Statutory planning requirement

     EIA (including EIS document) required under planning legislation 1982, revised 2003 Includes project guidelines, consideration of alternatives, review Required on public and private development Database EIA available to public on Ministry of EP website, EIS open to public when plan deposited EIA not necessarily required where planning permit not required or where decision taken prior to planning 21

Environmental Performance of Government

C(96)39 Accepts      EIA required on public development Ministerial Sustainable Development strategies Public Companies annual report on environmental performance to their directorates Government decision requiring reduction of paper, water and electricity in government expected 2010 NBPB acts as important coordinating mechanism 22

Accepts Timeframe 2011

Environmental Information

C(98)67, C(79)114, C(90)165

Availability of Information

 Available to public on Ministry of EP and CBS websites, including 15 metrics of sustainable development   No integrated database available on pressures, conditions, responses to show changes/monitor policy Ministry of EP initiating programme to provide information infrastructure:  2009: update 15 metrics 2010: identify gaps, submit 1 st  

Access to Information

SOE to government 2011: environmental outlook, EPR to government   2009 regulations under Freedom of Information Law specify 22 clauses for public access to environmental information Financial regulators require environmental risk disclosure by public companies, banks, investments 23

Accepts

Transfrontier Pollution

C(78)77, C(77)28, C(74)224, C(76)55, C(81)32

Declaration:

Currently, Israel does not share a common frontier with any OECD member country

Multilateral

 22 MEA ’ s signed and ratified, 7 awaiting ratification  CP to Barcelona Convention for Mediterranean and applies same to Eilat Bay  LBS discharge to marine area according to permits, tighter restrictions, levy by end 2010

Bilateral

   18 bilateral agreements Environment in Peace Accord with Jordan Environment in Interim Agreement with PA 24

Development Cooperation

C(89)2, C(86)26, C(85)104 Accepts Timeframe 2010

Assistance Given

 Capacity building and training in agriculture, water, medical emergency, environment   Major infrastructure projects not funded Training on sustainable development, marine pollution prevention, pest management

Checklist

 Will establish framework for environmental assessment according to the checklist (2010) 25

Associates Declarations C(85)11, C(79)121, C/M(74)26, C/MIN(2009)5/ADD1, C/MIN(2009)5/ADD1, C(2006)94

Environmental governance

 1973 government decision established environmental protection service   EIA since 1982, revised 2003 1988 Ministry of EQ established (later EP)   Local environmental units established for implementation Civil Society involvement expanded through representation on planning and other committees, and rights of objection Green growth:   2006: government decision - water tech 2008: government decision - renewables 21.8m € 72.7m €   2009: government decision - waste 5.4m € Proposed government decision to promote environmental technologies

Development cooperation

 Through capacity building with emphasis on water conservation and combating desertification 26

Multilateral Environmental Agreements

Marine and Coastal

     Barcelona Convention for the Mediterranean MARPOL OPRC Fishing and conservation of living resources of high seas Agreement on conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks

Nature protection

      Convention for Biological Diversity Conservation of migratory species of wild animals International trade in endangered species Wetlands important as waterfowl habitats Protection of new varieties of plants Whaling

Other

   Climate change – Kyoto protocol Combating desertification Protection of world cultural and natural heritage 27

Israel’s commitment to Climate Change

• • • • Israel is a signatory to Kyoto and regards itself as an active partner in global efforts Limited alternatives to fossil fuels and relatively high rates of population and economic growth compared to most OECD countries Government decision requires an interministerial committee to submit a National Mitigation Action Plan by mid 2010. Consultant (McKinsey) preparing carbon abatement cost curve for Israel for identifying cost efficient measures - based on accepted global methodologies Increased natural gas, active encouragement of EE and RE will be significant measures 28

McKinsey preliminary cost curve

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McKinsey preliminary cost curve

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Factors limiting emissions reduction

    

Current policy prevent use of Nuclear Power No option of Hydroelectric Power Limited capacity for Wind Power No current possibility of Carbon Capture and Storage Limited area for Thermo-Solar

(2 hectares for 1 installed MW)

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Government commitments to EE and RE

   

10% RE by 2020 20% reduction in demand by EE by 2020 $100 million research fund 220 MW thermo solar + 50MW PV

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Israel ’s Statement on Climate Change

         Active implementation of UNFCCC Establishment of ambitious long-term comprehensive low emissions strategy Energy management policy Nationally appropriate GHG mitigation actions Active participation in OECD discussions 2 nd national communication by mid 2010 - non annex 1 Future national communications - annex 1 as appropriate Participation in COP 15 in Copenhagen Efforts made to join negotiating group 35

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