Israel's National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change.

This National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change is a comprehensive document constituting a roadmap for government ministries and local authorities across multiple domains, coordinating the main efforts being undertaken to achieve the target of coping with climate change in Israel. The government seeks to protect the population from climate change and is committed to transparently sharing the progress, challenges, and successes while working collaboratively with its partners across all government ministries and local authorities. All of this is to ensure optimal adaptation and a safe environment for the residents of Israel, now and in the future. The Plan marks the first stage in developing a comprehensive national plan that will ultimately include agreed-upon implementation actions. The Plan aims to achieve the Vision of national resilience and adaptation to the gradual and extreme trends of climate change, aimed at promoting prosperity and reducing harm to society, the economy, and the environment. The Plan is built on the following 5 core principles (1) prioritizing vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable and tailored responses to enhance their resilience to disproportionate climate impacts; (2) emphasizing risk reduction through nature-based solutions, advocating for policies that protect, enhance, and restore natural ecosystems for flood control, carbon sequestration, and urban cooling; (3) promoting modular solutions, enabling flexibility and adaptation to multiple climate scenarios by allowing dynamic, data-driven decisions; (4) stressing multi-sectoral and international collaborations, fostering shared expertise, resources, and knowledge exchange to tackle complex climate challenges effectively; (5) local authorities are recognized as key partners, leveraging their community familiarity and resources to build localized climate resilience and ensure relevant, efficient adaptation strategies.
The Plan outlines the following: (i) Defense and Emergency bodies aim to be climate-resilient, ensuring continuous operations and readiness against threats under any climate scenario. Their goals include strengthening preparedness for climate-related emergencies through updated national plans and integrated warning systems, while also enhancing defense responses by incorporating climate change into situational assessments and promoting international collaboration; (ii) The Economy section aims for climate change adaptation, leveraging opportunities to maintain national economic resilience and well-being. This involves assessing economic impacts, developing a national supply chain disruption plan, providing climate information to businesses, adapting labor market regulations and financial system tools, and supporting innovative climate technologies; (iii) Built-up Areas and Infrastructure envision continuous adaptation of infrastructure, construction, and energy systems, alongside urban and regional environments, to climate change. Goals include establishing resilient infrastructure (smart grids, transportation, communications, drainage) and adapting the built environment to urban heat, fire threats, and rising sea levels, while integrating natural systems; (iv) Agriculture, Nature, and Water aim for climate-adapted agricultural sectors providing fresh produce, stable ecosystems, and a diversified water economy meeting all population and nature needs. This involves transitioning to climate-resilient agriculture, investing in R&D, strengthening disaster insurance, preserving biodiversity, restoring open spaces and ecological corridors, updating the national water management plan, conserving rivers and wetlands, reducing pressure on natural water sources, and eradicating agricultural pests; (v) Health and Welfare aim for high-quality healthcare and robust social services to protect the public, especially vulnerable populations, from climate change-related health risks and strengthen social-climate resilience. This involves establishing monitoring systems for climate-related illness, mapping health impacts to adapt the healthcare system, ensuring food security, and tailoring responses for vulnerable populations through professional training; (vi) Cross-cutting Initiatives aim to build science- and knowledge-based decision-making capabilities and provide accessible climate information to the Israeli public. This involves strengthening climate monitoring, forecasting, and data systems, establishing a climate adaptation portal, and promoting research and public awareness campaigns.