National Implementation of Agenda 21
|
Information Provided by the Government of Israel to the
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development
|
This country profile has been provided by:
Name of Ministry/Office:
Date:
Submitted by:
Mailing address:
Telephone:
Telefax:
E-mail:
Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles.
All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.
|
APELL | Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level |
CFC | chlorofluorocarbon |
CGIAR | Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research |
CILSS | Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel |
EEZ | exclusive economic zone |
ECA | Economic Commission for Africa |
ECE | Economic Commission for Europe |
ECLAC | Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean |
ELCI | Environmental Liaison Centre International |
EMINWA | environmentally sound management of inland water |
ESCAP | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
ESCWA | Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
GATT | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade |
GAW | Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) |
GEF | Global Environment Facility |
GEMS | Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP) |
GEMS/WATER | Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
GESAMP | Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution |
GIPME | Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO) |
GIS | Geographical Information System |
GLOBE | Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment |
GOS | Global Observing System (WMO/WWW) |
GRID | Global Resource Information Database |
GSP | generalized system of preferences |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
IAP-WASAD | International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development |
IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
IBSRAM | International Board of Soil Resources and Management |
ICCA | International Council of Chemical Associations |
ICES | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
ICPIC | International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House |
ICSC | International Civil Service Commission |
ICSU | International Council of Scientific Unions |
IEEA | Integrated environmental and economic accounting |
IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
IGADD | Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development |
IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) |
IGBP/START | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training |
ILO | International Labour Organisation |
IMF | International Monetary Fund |
IMO | International Maritime Organization |
INFOTERRA | International Environment Information system (UNEP) |
IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
IPCS | International Programme on Chemical Safety |
IPM | integrated pest management |
IRPTC | International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
ITC | International Tin Council |
ITTO | International Tropical Timber Organization |
IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
OECD | Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
PGRFA | plant genetic resources for agriculture |
PIC | prior informed consent procedure |
SADCC | South African Development Co-ordination Conference |
SARD | sustainable agriculture and rural development |
UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
UNDRO | Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator |
UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
UNFPA | United Nations Population Fund |
UNICEF | United Nations Children's Fund |
UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
UNU | United Nations University |
WCP | World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO) |
WFC | World Food Council |
WHO | World Health Organization |
WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund) |
WWW | World Weather Watch (WMO) |
1. Name of Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s). The Ministry of Environment
Contact point (Name, Title, Office): Mrs. Nechama Ronen, Director General, Ministry of Environment Telephone: (972) 2 6701411 Fax: (972) 2 611898 /2 513945 e-mail: Mailing address: 2 Kaplan Street, Kiryat Ben-Gurion, P.O. Box 6158, Jerusalem, Israel 91061
2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson: 2a. List of ministries and agencies involved:
2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies:
2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved:
3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council: The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for National Environmental Policy and coordinating sustainable development projects, together with other concerned Ministries and organizations.
4. If available, attach a diagram (organization chart) showing national coordination structure and linkages between ministries:
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TO ACCELERATE
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC
POLICIES (with special emphasis on TRADE)
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Non information
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY
Immigration to Israel since 1990 raised the proportion of the
population aged 15 years and over that was in the civilian
labour force from 52% in 1992 to 54% in 1994. In general, women and
old people have had greater difficulty in finding
jobs. To help overcome this disparity, many immigrants have
attended special occupational training or retraining courses.
The percentage of unemployed people among the civilian labour force
was relatively high in the first years of the last
wave of immigration and reached 11.2% in 1992. It decreases to 7.8%
in 1994 and 6.3% in the middle of 1995; the
lowest rate since 1989. The percentage of married women in the
civilian labour force rose to 50.2% in 1993 from 41.6%
in 1983.
The majority of the labour force is employed in the services sector
(67%), 29% is in manufacturing, and 4% in
agriculture.
Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the
environment
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
Unemployment rate (%) | |||||
Population living in absolute poverty | |||||
Public spending on social sector % | |||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION
PATTERNS
Private consumption per head was 14% higher in 1993 than in 1989,
with a 3% growth per year. According to family
expenditure surveys, the share of health expenditure increased in
total expanditure increased from 5.3% in 1987 to 7.1%
in 1993.
National targets
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
GDP per capita (current US$) | |||||
Real GDP growth (%) | |||||
Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita) | |||||
Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants | |||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND
SUSTAINABILITY
The population density increased from 106 inhabitants per Km2 in
1960 to 242 in 1993, and the urban population has
risen from 85% to 91% of the total population during the last three
decades.
During the last wave of immigration, the arrival of 539,900 new
immigrants increased the resident population by 12%.
Of these immigrants, 462,800 were from the former USSR and 28,700
from Ethiopia. In 1990-1993, the Jewish
population had an average growth rate of 3.9% per year, of which
immigration accounted for 69%. In contrast, only 8%
of the annual increase of 1.5% was due to immigration in 1983-89.
For the non-Jewish population, immigration
accounted for 26% of the overall increase of 4.2% per year in
1990-1993, but only 2.0% of the overall increase of 3%
per year in 1983-89.
The natural increase in the non-Jewish population is nearly double
that of the Jewish population, owing to high birth rates
(the rate was 34.0, with 18.5 live births per 1000 population in
1993 respectively), and a low crude death rate owing to a
younger age structure. In 1993, people under 15 comprised 40% of
the non-Jewish population and 28% of the Jewish
population; the figures for people 65 and over were 3% and 11%,
respectively.
Although fertility rates are much higher among the Moslems and
Druze than the Jews, the difference is considerably less
than it was two or three decades ago. Fertility in Christians has
fallen to a point close to the minimum required for
generation replacement. In 1993, 112 000 live births were
registered in Israel, of which 70% were in the Jewish
population.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: In 1993 the
population of Israel was 5,261,400, almost six times its size
(805,0000) at the
establishment of the State in 1948. Both migration and natural
increase determined this growth. Although immigration
was greater in the first years of the State, considerable
immigration has continued. The last wave of immigration
occurred in 1990-1993. The increase in the total population
averaged 1.8% per year in 1983-1989, and 4.0% in 1990-1993.
Compared to those of other countries, Israel's population is
relatively young.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
Latest 199_ | ||||
Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates | ||||
Annual rate of increase (%) | ||||
Surface area (Km2) | ||||
Population density (people/Km2) | ||||
Other data Population growth (1990-1993) 4.0% Total fertility rate (1993) - Total population 2.9 - Jewish population 2.6 - non-Jewish population 4.2 |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING
HUMAN HEALTH
At the national level, health promotion programmes have gained
impetus during the last few years.
The health care system in Israel is in the midst of a long process
of reform in both concepts and services.This process
began recently, after many years of political and professional
debate, and comprises three main components: the National
Health Insurance Law, the withdrawal of the government from health
care provision, and the reorganization of the
Ministry of Health. Health expenditure has continued to rise as a
percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP),
reaching 8.2% in 1993.
In June 1994, the Knesset passed a National Health Insurance Law
that went into effect in January 1995. It made the
provision of health services the responsibility of the central
government. Under the new Law, all residents of Israel must
be insured by one of the authorized sickness funds that operate in
the country. The funds must provide the basic package
of services defined by the Law. The NII handles the centralized
collection of health insurance premiums and allocates
resources to the various sickness funds according to a capitation
formula. Every insured person has the right to choose his
or her sickness fund. Each fund is obliged to accept any resident
of Israel as an insured member, regardless of age,
physical or mental condition.
The Ministry of Health owns and operates hospitals: 23% of the
general hospitals, 50% of the mental hospitals and 4% of
the geriatric hospitals. The remainder are non-profit or
profit-making institutions. In the new system, the government
hospitals will become self-financing non-profit institutions. The
Ministry of Health will continue to supervise and control
hospitals, but not to run them.
The Ministry will no longer be responsible for the day-to-day
operation of health services. All its functions will focus on
policy-making, long term planning, the setting of standards,
quality control and quality assurance, and the collection and
evaluation of essential data. The reorganization of the Ministry of
Health has resulted in the establishment of new
departments such as those dealing with the issue of standards.
The Ministry of Health set up a steering committee that determines
policy and priorities in the funding of new projects.
The budget is currently invested in operating intervention
projects.
Numerous health education and health promotion programmes have been
instituted to improve the population's health-related behaviour. In
some areas, legislation and the creation of new organizational
structures have accompanied these
programmes. The major activities have focused on risk factors
associated with the more common chronic diseases, such as
cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Expenditure on hospitals continues to take up the principal part of
health expenditure. This percentage rose continuously
until 1980, when it reached 47% of current expenditure. A
decreasing trend began in 1980; in 1992 expenditure on
hospitals reached the level of 42%. Expenditure on community
clinics and preventive medicine has remained constant for
the last decade.
Family health care centers are operated by the government, local
authorities or sickness funds, according to an agreed
geographical division. Israel has a network of these centers
throughout the country. About 1000 are located in urban
areas, and a public health care nurse visits small and peripheral
localities at least once every two weeks.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: Ministry of Health
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The sub-district
health offices operate projects by the family health centers on
subjects such as nutrition and accident prevention. They organize
health fairs and conduct training courses for young
people, young mothers, and the elderly. In 1995, 5 community
recreation centers began health promotion programmes,
and another 15 are anticipated to participate. The programmes deal
with subjects as nutrition, physical activity, etc. and
their target populations include both the people who visit the
centers, and other groups in the community, such as workers.
3. Major Groups:
4. Finance: In 1993, health expenditure amounted to 8.1%
of the GDP, the highest rate in recent years; this figure was
7.8% in 1992 and 7.4% in 1988.
In 1993, households financed 52% of national expenditure on
health, including health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket fees,
compared to 32% in 1984. This rise was due to an increase in
premiums and fees. Households' payment to
sickness funds comprised 12% of health expenditure in 1984 and 25%
in 1993. The reduction in the proportion of health
care costs funded from general taxation has put an increasing
burden on households. Out-of-pocket fees paid by
households to purchase medicines and medical services provided by
private physicians, clinics and dentists accounted for
20% of health expenditure in 1984 and 27% in 1993. Government
financing decreased from 52% of national expenditure
on health in 1984 to 44% in 1993. This financing includes the
parallel tax, which accounted for 22% of health expenditure
in 1984 and 24% in 1993.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
Life expectancy at birth (total) Male Female |
| |||
Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | ||||
Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births) | ||||
Access to safe drinking water (% of population) | ||||
Access to sanitation services (% of population) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
HUMAN SETTLEMENT
DEVELOPMENT
In 1993, about 70% of the population owed its housing, the figure
for most recent immigrants , who arrived in 1992, was
18%. The average number of people per room was estimated at 1.1 for
the total population and 1.3 for the new
immigrants. The number of homeless people is estimated at less than
1000.
A government programme combines government guarantees to the
banking system and direct subsidies to newly married
couples, new immigrants and other persons who need help in
obtaining housing.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
Urban population in % of total population | |||
Annual rate of growth of urban population (%) | |||
Largest city population (in % of total population) | |||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT IN
DECISION-MAKING
Since the 1990s, environmental aspects have been incorporated
at an early stage of the planning process into regional
and national plans, in addition to environmental assessment of
detailed plans of specific projects under the Planning and
Building Law of 1965.
Israel today has become a densely populated nation, in which
92% of its 5 million inhabitants live in an area which
covers only 40% of the land area, concentrated in nearly all in the
coastal area. Since 1989, there has been a large influx
of immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.
This phenomena, together with the peace process and
the rapid rate of industrial development in Israel, has resulted in
the drawing up of a national long-range master plan for
the 21st century - "Israel 2020", which is in the final stages of
completion and will be submitted to the government during
1997 with the aim of preparing comprehensive strategic documents
which will form a framework for national plans for the
next 20 years. Environmental considerations form an integral part
of the master plan, which deals with sustainable
development policies for various sectors, including transport,
energy, the urban sector, tourism, agriculture and open
spaces.
In November 1996, an Agreement relative to the Coastal Areas
Management Programme for Israel was signed
between the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan and Israel, constituting
a three-year intensive program of coastal zone
management. The main objective of Programme I is the development of
a sustainable development strategy for Israel, by
initiating dialogue with all sectors of Israel's economy (energy,
industry, transportation, tourism, etc.). The inauguration
of the program initiated a public debate, beginning with a seminar
on a sustainable development strategy for Israel. The
seminar, the second in a series of activities regarding sustainable
development policies in Israel, included high level
experts from the Netherlands' Ministry of Environment, Housing and
Spatial Planning.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Since the 1992 Rio Conference on
Environment and Development, sustainable development policy
has been integrated into Israel's environmental management
program. The Ministry of the Environment is formulating a
comprehensive sustainable development program in conjunction with
government ministries, local authorities, industry,
academics and non-governmental organizations.
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact
sheet): Under the Planning and Building Law 1965 and the
Planning and Building Regulations of 1982 (dealing with
Environmental Impact Statements for all major development
activities), all building and land-use planning activities in
Israel are regulated at three levels - national, district and
local.
Environmental consideration in decision-making is incorporated in
all development projects.
The Israel 2020 master plan was created under the auspices of
the Ministries of Housing, Interior and the Jewish
Agency Settlement Department and the Israel Lands Administration.
It also involves the Ministries Finance, Education and
Culture, Transport, National Infrastructure (including energy) and
Environment.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: Government Ministries as set out above,
academic institutions, such as the Haifa Technion, Israel
Institute of technology; local authorities; non-governmental
organizations, such as the Society for the Protection of Nature
in Israel.
4. Finance: No specific information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Within the framework
of the multilateral peace talks for regional cooperation in
the Middle East, the Working Group on the Environment has achieved
consensus on several concrete projects designed to
promote environmental projects in the region and encourage the
integration of environment and development into the
decision-making process on a regional level, where applicable. For
example: Oil Spill Contingency Plan for the Gulf of
Eilat/Aqaba between Israel, Egypt and Jordan, with the aid of the
European Union; a regional action plan involving
Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, to control
natural resource degradation and desertification,
coordinated by the World Bank; endorsement by all 41 delegates to
the October 1994 Working Group on the Environment
held in Bahrain, of the Environmental Code of Conduct for the
Middle East. The Code sets common guidelines and norms
which will govern the development policies of each state in a
manner which will not have an adverse impact on the
environment of neighboring countries.
As part of the Middle East peach process and the bilateral
negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians,
environmental components were incorporated within the framework of
the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the
West Bank and Gaza Strip in Washington 1993. Amongst several
bilateral agreements for environmental cooperation with
a number of countries, Israel has agreements with Egypt (1993) and
Jordan (1995).
Israel is an active member of the UNEP Mediterranean Action
Plan, together with 21 other Mediterranean countries,
and is currently serving as one of the vice presidents of the
UNEP/MAP Bureau 1995-1997.
A major focus of the development of shared resources in the
Middle East is the Jordan Rift valley. Israel and Jordon
have begun an integrated program of regional planning and
pre-investment studies, including environmental impact
assessment or key proposed subjects.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 9: PROTECTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The Montreal Protocol (1987) was ratified in 1992.
The London Amendment (1990) was ratified in 1992.
The Copenhagen Amendment (1992) was signed in 1992 and ratified in
1994.
The latest report(s) to the Montreal Protocol were prepared in
1995.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was
signed in 1992 and ratified in 1996.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter: The main
sources of air pollution are energy production, transport and
industry. Israel's air quality policy is based on the following
elements: prevention of air pollution through the integration
of environmental considerations and physical planning, monitoring
and intermittent control systems, legislation and
enforcement (including ambient and emission standards), the
reduction of pollution sources, and the reduction of pollutant
emissions from motor vehicles. According to this policy a new
programme for the control of air quality was completed in
1994.
Israel's energy economy is based on fossil fuels, mainly oil and
coal. Data on the amount of pollutants emitted into the
atmosphere from fuel combustion show significant declines in the
levels of sulfur oxides and lead, increased emissions of
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons,
and no significant change in concentrations of
suspended particulate matter.
In 1994, 63 air monitoring stations were operating in Israel.
All of them monitor sulfur dioxide. Nitrogen oxided and
particulate matters are monitored in most, and ozone and/or carbon
monoxide in a few. A new network monitors airborne
chemicals at the hazardous waste disposal site. The limited
information available indicates that sulfur dioxide levels are
mostly below regulation limits, nitrogen dioxide is significantly
above the limits in some areas, and ozone levels are
mostly above the recommended limits.
The monitoring network, as it is today, is not comprehensive
enough for formulating a national air quality management
programme. Consequently Israel has recently prepared a preliminary
programme for a multimillion-dollar national air
monitoring system with a central data storage and display centre.
The national system will be based on three levels of
activity: individual stations, regional control centres and a
national data processing centre. The types of station will vary
according to the nature of the pollutants. Some 50 stations are
planned , in addition to the 63 stations currently in
operations. The project will be implemented over a three-year
period.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of the
Environment, as the central body for environmental protection in
Israel, is in charge of protection of the atmosphere. Following
ratification of the UNFCC in May 1996, the government
ordered the Minister of the Environment to establish an
inter-ministerial committee to formulate Israel's policy under the
obligations of the Convention. The Committee includes
representatives from the Ministries of Industry and Trade,
Transport, Finance, National Infrastructure, Science and
Agriculture. Industry representatives and environmental NGOs
are also represented on the committee. The possibility of
introducing a comprehensive Clean Air Act, to replace the
existing Abatement of Nuisances Law of 1961 is being examined.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: A comprehensive new
program for the management of air resources in Israel
was completed by the Ministry of the Environment in June 1994. In
1994, 63 air monitoring stations operated in Israel.
The Ministry of Finance recently allocated approximately $3 mil.
for a nation-wide air monitoring system. This national
system will be comprised of 24 new monitoring stations, two
regional centers and a national control center for data
storage, analysis and display.
3. Major Groups: Government representatives of ministries
outlined above, industrial representatives, private sector,
research institutes and NGOs take part in activities under this
chapter.
4. Finance: Since ratification, Israel has made the
required annual contribution to the Montreal Trust Fund, being $US
465,885 for 1996.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Israel has ratified
the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol, the London
amendment and the Copenhagen Amendment. At the 1995 Conference of
Parties to the Montreal Protocol (reiterated at
the 8th Conference of the CP in Costa Rica), Israel committed
itself to a 25% reduction in the production of methyl
bromide by 2001, a 50% reduction by 2005 & total phase-out by
2010. Intensive efforts are being made in Israel to find
an environmentally safe alternative to methyl bromide.
Israel also ratified the UNFCC in May 1996 and is currently working
on preparing the national report.
Latest 1994 | ||||
CO2 emissions (eq. million tons) | ||||
SOx " | ||||
NOx " | ||||
CH4 " | ||||
Consumption of ozone depleting substances (Tons) | ||||
Expenditure on air pollution abatement in US$ equivalents (million) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATED APPROACH TO
THE PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT OF LAND
RESOURCES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING
DEFORESTATION
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
Latest 199- | ||||
Forest Area (Km2) | ||||
Protected forest area | ||||
Roundwood production (solid volume of roundwood without bark in mill m3) | ||||
Deforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Reforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 12: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING
DESERTIFICATION AND
DROUGHT
The International Convention to Combat Desertification in
Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification
Particularly in Africa was signed in 1995 and ratified in
1996.
* The last report to the Secretariat of the Convention was prepared
in 1996.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter In Israel, the
Negev desert, comprising over half of the country's land
area, is inhabited by only 7% of the population. Israel is
extensively involved in afforestation activities in desert areas,
utilizing existing landscape and geographical resources to
ameliorate conditions around Negev townships and intensive
savannization programs and research.
The high priority accorded by Israel to combating
desertification led to the establishment, in January 1994, of the
Center for Desert Research and Restoration Ecology on Sde Boker, a
joint project of the Jewish National Fund and the
Ben-Gurion University's Desert research Institute.
Israel is an active partner in current efforts to promote both
regional and international cooperation in combatting
desertification, both in the framework of the multilateral peace
talks on the environment and the International Convention
to Combat Desertification.
In a sub-regional Round Table Discussion on a sub-regional
action programme to combat desertification in the lower
Jordan Rift Valley, experts from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority,
and Israel presented 15 joint project proposals to
potential donors, in Amman, in February 1997. The proposals were
based on a joint survey of a major watershed, the Rift
Valley, shared by the three parties. The objectives of the survey
were to detect desertification risks in this sub-region, and
to identify gaps in knowledge required for averting these risks.
The project proposals address not just the combat against
desertification, but also conservation of biodiversity and dry land
afforestation, as synergetic vehicles for promoting
transboundary sustainable development of the dry land watershed
shared by Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinians. UNESCO
has already announced in this meeting its pledge to support a
transboundary binational Jordanian-Israeli biosphere reserve
in the Rift Valley, for promoting sustainable development in that
area.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: International cooperation in combating desertification is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in particular in the Division of International Cooperation. The Sde Boker Center for Desert Research and Restoration Ecology is a leading force in international, regional and domestic efforts to combat desertification. Other authorities involved are the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jewish National Fund.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: A National Outline Scheme for Afforestation was approved in principle by the National Planning and Building Boards in 1993. The plan is being implemented by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and designates over 15% of Israel's total land area for the conservation of forest lands. About 50% of the JNF's tree planting endeavors are carried out in forest lands. The JNF has instituted a relatively new program of savannization, aimed at preventing desertification and increasing productivity and biodiversity without resource enrichment. In addition, the Sde Boker Center for Desert Research and Restoration Ecology has integrated the Ben Gurion University's Desert Research Institute's academic frameworks for basic and applied research and the JNF's field experience in the development and management of open space systems. Various techniques and technologies developed in Israel for combating desertification have implications for regional cooperation on desert issues, for e.g. use of water harvesting techniques; saline water-based agriculture.
3. Major Groups: All groups mentioned in 1. (Decision Making Structure), including government ministries, universities and research centers.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Israel is one of the parties involved in two desertification projects within the multilateral peace talks - tri-lateral IACD project (Jordan, Israel & the Palestinians, the Desertification Initiative (Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Tunisia & the Palestinians). Israel ratified the International Convention to Combat Desertification in 1996, and has been actively involved since the beginning both in the preparation of the Convention and the 1st meeting of the Parties to the Convention scheduled to be held in Oct./Nov. 1997. The INCD commissioned a Regional Joint Study 1995-96, through the Swiss government to support-the Sub-regional Action Program for Combating Desertification in the Aqaba/Eilat-Jericho section of the Jordan Rift Valley. Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian teams took part in the study surveying and detecting desertification risks & proposed future activities. INCD & UNDP have approved the holding of a seminar to be held in Israel to discuss 3 conventions and their interrelationship - Biodiversity, Climate Change and Combating Desertification. The seminar will be held in Israel in March 1997. Israel is involved on bilateral cooperation in the subject of combating desertification with China, India, Turmanistan and Namibia.
1. Decision-Making Structure: 2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: 3. Major Groups: 4. Finance: 5. Regional/International Cooperation: |
Latest 199_ | ||||
Land affected by desertification (Km2) | ||||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 13: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE
MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 14: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
In 1992 Israel established the Ministry of Environment. The
background to this is based on the evaluation that more than
50% of the area of Israel will become one of the most crowded area
in the world.
The general trend in rural areas includes:
The main activities that substitute agricultural sustainable
activities include tourism, commerce, and services.
Areas and subjects addressing rural and agricultural development
are covered by projects which may include: research,
development, semi-commercial, and commercial.
Another spectrum of activities in which we are working, on the
decision-making level, include:
A number of Ministries, including the Ministries of Agriculture,
Health, Environment, and Labour, among others, are
involved in projects aimed at promoting rural development and
sustainable agriculture.
One of the most significant changes in raising awareness, regarding
this subject, includes the introduction of periodical
statistics, which attempt to cover and understand the major trends
relating to the change in the rural structure. This applies
mainly to the shift from traditional farming to developed
entrepreneurship, going beyond agriculture. This, however,
creates other environmental problems.
In general numbers we can say that the percentage of persons
employed in agriculture amount to approximately 30% of
total population in the rural area.
The structure of production in Israel include:
Farmers' awareness is reflected in their work and their
participation in symposia and volunteering committees.
Although they are in a position to identify major problems, the
lack of financial resources limit their capacity for further
achievements. Two of the most relevant achievements in this area
are Integrated Pest Management and Bio-organic
crops. These are well advanced both on a scientific and practical
commercial level.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
- Declining effective labor power working in agriculture,
- Increasing non agricultural entrepreneurship (from a low
percentage to approximately 10% today, and projected
increases for the future)
-National level projects,
-Regional and district level projects, and
-Community and private level projects.
the "Moshave" - a private community with cooperative activities,
and
the "Kibutz" - full cooperative farming and a regular system of
private farmers.
It is also important to mention the total simultaneous movement of
the whole system towards privatization and "profit
centered concept".
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environmental
Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of
Agriculture, is addressing these subjects with other Ministries,
Institutes, and Organizations.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The scientific
community is establishing methods and tools necessary for
improvements in relevant areas regarding rural and agricultural
development. Master Programmes, including feasibility
studies, have benn finished in four subjects, and there are plans
to implement regional pilot projects, such as recycling
organic matters, plastic, among others. Progress is also reflected
in locally organized institutes which identify ideas and
needs and put them into practice.
3. Major Groups: Farmers, local entrepreneurs, and the
scientific and technological community participate in projects
which promote rural and agricultural development. There has been
an impressive change in farmers and local
entrepreneurs who are aware of the environmental problems they
themselves create. The commitment of farmers and their
representatives has been achieved and, in some cases, it has been
possible to come to positive decisions which include
investments and programmes (mainly in the North of Israel, a very
sensitive area for the quality of water for the entire
nation).
4. Finance: Finance is provided by the Ministries mentioned
above, with the participation of various other institutes.
There is a budget allocated annually for various specific projects,
ranging from research type projects to semi-commercial
projects. There is also a budget allocated for advertising,
promotion, and public relations, mainly for meetings and
symposia. Negotiations are now underway with the Ministry of
Treasury in order to define the criteria for direct
financing of preferred projects.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
This relates to three levels of decision-making and time frame:
Long term strategy: at the national level;
Medium term tactic: at the regional and district levels; and
Short term operative: at the regional, community, and private
levels.
The spectrum of intervention means include: information, master
planning, available forecasting, and environmental
legislation and regulation against various types of pollution.
Agricultural land (Km2) | ||||
Agricultural land as % of total land area | ||||
Agricultural land per capita | ||||
Consumption of fertilizers per Km2 of agricultural land as of 1990 | ||||
Other data: Total land -
approximately 21,00 (Km2) Total irrigated land 2,000 (Km2) Total cultivated land 3,500 (Km2) Livestock production from all agricultural land 50% |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 15: CONSERVATION OF
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1992 and
ratified in 1995.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora was ratified in March
1980.
The latest report submitted was in 1996.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
Nature conservation and biodiversity protection is Israel is not a
recent development. Israel's location at the crossroads of
climatic and botanic regions gives the country a rich variety of
plant and animal life. Within the small land area of Israel,
two opposing climatic regimes are found - Mediterranean in the
north, and desert in the south. The central part of the
country is a transition area between these two bio-geographical
regions. While about 25% of Israel's land area is
preserved within declared nature reserves, most of them (80%) are
located in the desert areas of Israel, and a large
number overlap military training areas.
Following the second meeting of the parties to the Convention
on Biological Diversity, Israel set out a series of steps
to be taken for the purpose of preparing a national strategy plan
for the conservation of biological diversity. Some are as
follows: (1) The establishment of an interministerial committee
comprised of representatives of the Ministries of
Environment, Agriculture, Interior, Science, Trade and Industry,
Transport, Defense and Education; (2) the integration of
conservation of biological diversity into environmental planning,
and the preparation of guidelines for the protection of
biological diversity which will constitute part of the Ministry of
Environment guidelines for the preparation of EIS's, (3)
priority to research proposals on the conservation of biological
diversity to be partly financed by the Ministry of the
Environment.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and is the main authority for nature protection in Israel. The Ministries of Education (under the Antiquities Law), Agriculture (under the Wild Animals Protection Law) and Interior have limited authorities on related issues. The Nature Reserves Authority and the National Parks Authority, both acting under the Ministry of the Environment, are the main authorities for carrying out nature protection policies. The Nature Reserves Authority is the scientific advisory body in Israel for the Convention on Biological Diversity.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Nature Reserves Authority (NRA) oversees Israel's 155 nature reserves, covering 33.5 thousand hectares of protected areas. One area in Israel - Mount Carmel - has recently been declared a biosphere reserve within the framework of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere program, and preserves a variety of ecosystems. In order to overcome the problem of habitat fragmentation in Israel, the NRA and the Jewish National Fund have cooperated on a so-called "Open Landscapes Plan". Geographical and lithological data, collected by the Jewish National Fund, and botanic data, collected by the NRA, is currently being compiled, evaluated and mapped on the GIS and NRA. The first part of the project (encompassing an area from Beersheba to Nazareth) is near completion; the second part (encompassing the Jezreel Valley, Upper and Lower Galilee and the Jordan Valley) will be ready in early 1997, while the Negev section will follow at a later date. The NRA has already drawn up a proposal for data collection, mapping and evaluation in order to develop an action plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. In 1993, a National Outline Scheme for Afforestation was approved to designate 160,000 hectares for the development and conservation of forest lands in Israel. The plan, implemented by the Jewish National Fund, calls for the planting of 200 million trees in an area of 81,000 hectares.
3. Major Groups: The major groups involved in nature conservation and biodiversity protection - in addition to the Ministry of the Environment - are the Nature Reserves Authority, the National Parks Authority, the Jewish National fund and Israel's leading environmental non-governmental organization - the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Israel is involved in regional and international cooperation regarding biodiversity protection on a number of different levels. Bilateral - an Agreement on Cooperation in Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation has been signed with Jordan. A joint proposal to establish a marine peace park is being seriously considered. An Agreement on Cooperation in Environmental Matters and Nature Conservation and an Agreement in the field of Desertification have been signed with Spain. Regional - Within the framework of the multilateral Middle East peace talks on the environment, the successful Gulf of Aqaba project has been developed. The project establishes a Jordanian Egyptian-Israeli Oil Contingency Spill Plan for the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat in order to protect the precious eco-system and the unique natural asset of the Gulf itself constitutes. Biodiversity protection in the desert region on a regional level is part of the wider desertification project involving Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, within the multilateral framework. As an active member of the Mediterranean Action plan, Israel is very involved on the Protocol on Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas. International - In addition to ratification of the Biological Diversity Convention and CITES, Israel recently ratified the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Israel will host an international workshop in March 1997 dealing with three important international conventions - the Convention to Combat Desertification, the Biological Diversity Convention and the Climate Change Convention.
|
Latest 1996 | |||
Protected area as % of total land area | |||
Latest 199_ | |||
Number of threatened species | |||
Other data |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Ministry of Agriculture,
specifically the Division of Plant Protection, established an
inter-ministerial and inter-disciplinary committee on bio-safety,
biotechnology/gene technology in December 1996. The Nature
Reserves Authority is one of the professional bodies involved in
the Committee, which also has representatives from
universities and research centers, the Ministry of Science, and the
Ministry of Trade and Industry. The committee will
deal with recommendations for necessary legislative changes
regarding bio-safety, taking into consideration the
Convention on Biological Diversity, among other issues.
1. Decision-Making Structure: A committee has been
established to determine recommendations regarding legal and
policy issues related to bio-safety, biotechnology and gene
technology, to be headed by the Division of Plant Protection,
Ministry of Agriculture. The Nature Reserves Authority is the main
professional representative, also being the
professional focal point for the Ministry of the Environment
regarding the Convention of Biological Diversity. One of the
tasks of the committee is to recommend legislative changes
regarding the biosafety, biotechnology and gene technology.
Several scientific institutes and universities, together with
industry and certain government ministries, are involved in
biotechnology research.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: As explained above.
4. Finance: Some public funding is available from both the
Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Science for
research endeavors in the field.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
available.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 17: PROTECTION OF THE
OCEANS, ALL KINDS
OF SEAS, INCLUDING
ENCLOSED AND SEMI-ENCLOSED SEAS, AND
COASTAL AREAS AND
THE PROTECTION,
RATIONAL USE AND
DEVELOPMENT OF
THEIR LIVING
RESOURCES
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
See also the attached tables on the next pages.
Israel deals with all aspects of marine pollution: accidental and
emergency oil and chemical spills from ships or terminals,
polluting discharges from industrial or municipal land-based
sources, dumping of waste at sea, airborne pollution into the
marine environment, and litter in the sea or on the beaches.
Israel's two coastlines - the Mediterranean and the Red Sea
(Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba) - are among the country's most valuable
natural assets.
In recent years, Israel has made significant progress in pollution
prevention and protection of the marine environment.
Funds for combating marine and coastal pollution for clean-up
operations are generated by the Marine Pollution Fund,
totaling $700,00 annually. Income is derived from fees imposed on
all oil terminals and ships calling at Israeli ports and
from fines collected from violators of marine pollution prevention
laws and regulations.
Israel is an active member of the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan,
(detailed in the Cross-Sectoral Issues section),
through which a major program regarding coastal zone management and
sustainable development has been initiated for
Israel. The Coastal Areas Management Programme for Israel, approved
by UNEP/MAP and officially launched in
November 1996, constitutes the beginning of developing a
sustainable development strategy for Israel, and as such is a
significant aspect of Israel's implementation of Agenda 21.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Marine and Coastal
Environment Division of the Ministry of the Environment is the
national authority responsible for all aspects of marine and
coastal pollution. The Division has adopted a multi-faceted
working plan consisting of: detection of environmental problems
along Israel's marine coastlines and territorial waters;
prevention and abatement of all types of marine pollution;
enforcement of national laws related to protection of the marine
environment; updating of relevant legislation in accordance with
international conventions and modern environmental
criteria.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Ministry of the
Environment has begun to develop a comprehensive
national contingency plan expected to be completed by the end of
1997. According to this contingency plan, an ad hoc
emergency headquarters will be set up in case of an oil spill
emergency. The headquarters will be commanded by the
Shipping and Ports Authority, and will include representatives from
the Ministry of Environment, Ports Authority, Israel
Defense Forces, Coast Guard and local authorities.
Research efforts at various academic institutions, in
conjunction with industry experts, have been made regarding
marine clean-up and pollution treatment by means of oil-eating
bacteria. Bioremediation has also been successfully
developed and used in a number of cases in recent years.
Israel's capacity in the Gulf of Eilat was dramatically
improved in 1991 with the inauguration of a newly expanded
pollution control and response center. The Gulf of Eilat's
pollution control capabilities have been further expanded as a
result of progress within the framework of the multilateral peace
talks on the environment and the Bilateral Agreement
with Jordan on Special Arrangements for Aqaba and Eilat concluded
in January 1996.
Israel approved a National Outline Scheme for the
Mediterranean Coast in 1983, with environmental aspects fully
integrated therein. The Scheme protects open space along large
sections of the coastline, including nature reserves,
national parks and coastal reserves. It also includes a highly
effective clause prohibiting development within 100 meters of
the coastline. The Ministry of the Environment has developed a
progressive GIS, with one of the first databases including
a Mediterranean Coast database. An additional database for
microbial and heavy metal monitoring stations along the
Mediterranean Coast is currently being developed.
3. Major Groups: The Ministry of the Environment, Ministry
of Transport, Shipping and Ports Administration, non-governmental
organizations (Israel Union Environmental Defense,
Greenpeace-Israel) and local authorities are involved in
this area.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Israel is an active
participant in the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP)
which provides an important forum for regional environmental
activities and cooperation to protect the Mediterranean Sea.
Israel has ratified the 1976 Barcelona Convention for the
Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution and its
related protocols. Israel has also ratified the Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 and the 1978
Protocol (MARPOL 73/78) and Annexes 1 and 2 of the Convention.
Efforts are currently underway to ratify Annexes 3,4
and 5 of MARPOL 73/78 as well as the 1993 Oil Pollution
Responsibility and Cooperation Convention (OPRC) and
international agreements for compensation in case of large scale
accidents - Civil Liability Convention and IOPCF (Fund)
Convention. Committed to the objectives of the Barcelona
Convention, Israel signed a tri-lateral Subregional Contingency
Plan for combating major marine pollution incidents affecting the
territorial sea, coasts and
other related interests of Cyprus, Egypt and Israel in June 1995.
In November 1996, Israel signed an Agreement Relative to the
Coastal Areas Management Programme (CAMP-Israel), involving work on
a three year program regarding coastal management of Israel and
developing a sustainable
development strategy for Israel.
Within the framework of the multilateral peace talks, much progress has been made in the protection of the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba. In view of the sensitivity and importance of this area, Israel, Jordan and Egypt agreed to cooperate in combating pollution in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba. A contingency plan has been developed whereby pollution control equipment is based in Aqaba, Nuweiba and Eilat to enable quick response and cooperation in protecting the environment. The plan saw success in September 1995 when Jordan and Israel cooperated in combating an oil spill in the Gulf. Subsequent to the Peace Treaty signed between Israel and Jordan on October 26, 1994, an Agreement on Special Arrangements for Aqaba and Eliat was concluded between the two countries in January 1996 with specific sections dealing with coordinated efforts for environmental protection in the Eliat/Aqaba area.
|
Latest 199- | ||||
Catches of marine species (metric tons) | ||||
Population in coastal areas | ||||
Population served by waste water treatment (% of
country's total population) | ||||
Discharges of oil into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of phosphate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Releases of nitrate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
Other data |
Chapter 17 (Oceans) Continued:
Check the boxes in the column below left: | Check the boxes in the column below right: |
For level of importance use: | For level of implementation use: |
*** = very important | *** = fully covered |
** = important | ** = well covered- gaps being addressed |
* = not important | * = poorly covered |
N = not relevant | O = not covered; N = not relevant |
TABLE I. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE APPROPRIATE COORDINATING MECHANISM FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS AND THEIR RESOURCES.
a. Preparation and implementation of land and water use and siting policies. | ||
b. Implementation of integrated coastal and marine management and sustainable development plans and programmes at appropriate levels. | ||
c. Preparation of coastal profiles identifying critical areas including eroded zones, physical processes, development patterns, user conflicts and specific priorities for management. | ||
d. Prior environmental impact assessment, systematic observation and follow-up of major projects, including systematic incorporation of results in decision-making. | ||
e. Contingency plans for human induced and natural disasters. | ||
f. Improvement of coastal human settlements, especially in housing, drinking water and treatment and disposal of sewage, solid wastes and industrial effluents. | ||
g. Periodic assessment of the impacts of external factors and phenomena to ensure that the objectives of integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas and marine environment are met. | ||
h. Conservation and restoration of altered critical habitats. | ||
I. Integration of sectoral programmes on sustainable development for settlements, agriculture, tourism, fishing, ports and industries affecting the coastal areas. | (begun in November 1996) | |
J. Infrastructure adaptation and alternative employment. | ||
K. Human resource development and training. | ||
L. Public education, awareness and information programmes. | ||
M. Promoting environmentally sound technology and sustainable practices. | ||
N. Development and simultaneous implementation of environmental quality criteria. |
TABLE II. TECHNOLOGY (MARINE ENVIRONMENT)
A. Apply preventive, precautionary and anticipatory approaches so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment, as well as to reduce the risk of long-term or irreversible adverse effects upon it. | ||
B. Ensure prior assessment of activities that may have significant adverse impacts upon the marine environment. | ||
C. Integrate protection of the marine environment into relevant general environmental, social and economic development policies. | ||
D. Develop economic incentives, where appropriate, to apply clean technologies and other means consistent with the internalization of environmental costs, such as the polluter pays principle, so as to avoid degradation of the marine environment. | ||
E. Improve the living standards of coastal populations, particularly in developing countries, so as to contribute to reducing the degradation of the coastal and marine environment. | ||
F. Effective monitoring and surveillance within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of fish harvesting and transportation of toxic and other hazardous materials. |
TABLE III. SEWAGE RELATED ISSUES
A. Sewage related problems are considered when formulating or reviewing coastal development plans, including human development plans. | ||
B. Sewage treatment facilities are built in accordance with national policies. | ||
C. Coastal outfalls are located so as to maintain acceptable level of environmental quality and to avoid exposing shell fisheries, water intakes and bathing areas to pathogens. | ||
D. The Government promotes primary treatment of municipal sewage discharged to rivers, estuaries and the sea, or other solutions appropriate to specific sites. | ||
E. The Government supports the establishment and improvement of local, national, subregional and regional, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control effluent discharge. Minimum sewage effluent guidelines and water quality criteria are in use. |
TABLE IV. OTHER SOURCES OF MARINE POLLUTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS:
A. Established or improved upon, as necessary, regulatory and monitoring programmes to control emissions, including recycling technologies. | ||
B. Promoted risk and environmental impact assessments to help ensure an acceptable level of environmental quality. | ||
C. Promoted assessment and cooperation at the regional level, where appropriate, with respect to the input of point source pollutants from the marine environment. | ||
D. Taken steps to eliminate emissions or discharges of organohalogen compounds from the marine environment. | ||
E. Taken steps to eliminate/reduce emissions or discharges or other synthetic organic compounds from the marine environment. | ||
F. Promoted controls over anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous that enter coastal waters where such problems as eutrophication threaten the marine environment or its resources. | ||
G. Taken steps to develop and implement environmentally sound land-use techniques and practices to reduce run-off to water courses and estuaries which would cause pollution or degradation of the marine environment. | ||
H. Promoted the use of environmentally less harmful pesticides and fertilizers and alternative methods for pest control, and considered the prohibition of those found to be environmentally unsound. | ||
I. Adopted new initiatives at national, subregional and regional levels for controlling the input of non-point source pollutants which require broad changes in sewage and waste management, agricultural practices, mining, construction and transportation. | ||
J. Taken steps to control and prevent coastal erosion and siltation due to anthropogenic factors related to, inter alia, land-use and construction techniques and practices. |
TABLE V. ADDRESSING CRITICAL UNCERTAINTIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAMME AREA THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:
A. Coordinating national and regional observation programmes for coastal and near-shore phenomena related to climate change and for research parameters essential for marine and coastal management in all regions. | ||
B. Providing improved forecasts of marine conditions for the safety of inhabitants of coastal areas and for the efficiency of marine operations. | ||
C. Adopting special measures to cope with and adapt to potential climate change and sea-level rise. | ||
D. Participating in coastal vulnerability assessment, modelling and response strategies particularly for priority areas, such as small islands and low-lying and critical coastal areas. | ||
E. Identifying ongoing and planned programmes of systematic observation of the marine environment, with a view to integrating activities and establishing priorities to address critical uncertainties for oceans and all seas. | ||
F. Research to determine the marine biological effects of increased levels of ultraviolet rays due to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. | ||
G. Carrying out analysis, assessments and systematic observation of the role of oceans as a carbon sink. |
TABLE VI. RATING OF ACTIVITIES IN THE AIR AND MARITIME TRANSPORT SECTORS IN THE SMALL ISLANDS DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) NOT RELEVANT
1. Frequency (external flights) | 1. Frequency (external shipping) | ||
2. Frequency (in-country flights) | 2. Frequency (in-country shipping) | ||
3. Cooperation at regional level in air transport and civil aviation | 3. Cooperation at regional level in shipping | ||
4. Cooperation at international level | 4. Cooperation at international level | ||
5. Economic viability of national air line | 5. Economic viability of national shipping line(s) | ||
6. Economic viability of regional air line | 6. Economic viability of regional shipping line (s) | ||
7. national level training in skills for air transport sector | 7. National level training in skills for maritime transport sector | ||
8. Access to training in skills for air transport sector within the region | 8. Regional level training in skills for maritime transport sector | ||
9. Access to international training for air transport sector | 9. Access to international training for maritime transport sector | ||
10. Supportive of ICAO |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 18: PROTECTION OF THE QUALITY
AND SUPPLY OF
FRESHWATER RESOURCES:
APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES
Water and Wastewater Treatment and Reuse. All Israeli
settlements are served by public waterworks, supplying a per
capita average of 90 cu.m/year. Similarly 94% of the generated
wastewater is drained to a public sewer and 80% is
treated in biological treatment plants. Only 14% of the generated
wastewater is drained without treatment to water
courses, while 42% is reuse for irrigation after secondary or
advanced tertiary treatment. A national plan to increase the
reuse of treated effluent for irrigation is being implemented,
aimed to achieve a reuse target of 65-70% of the generated
wastewater.
Wastewater from households, agriculture, and industry may
pollute the water sources. As water is so scarce,
considerable efforts are being made to prevent such pollution, and
effluents are recycled for secondary use. Administrative
authorities have been established to control the contamination of
groundwater and rivers by effluents, and to promote the
restoration of the rivers. Increased awareness has resulted in
improvements in existing water treatment plants and in
planning of new plants that conform to the new standards on
effluents. Investment in these plants has been extensive in
recent years. The main use of treated effluent is in agriculture.
Standards of effluent quality are strictly kept to prevent
threats to health and damage to crops.
Drinking Water Quality. The Water Commission has initiated
a project for rapid sand filtration of drinking water, which
aims to reduce the water turbidity level to less than 0.5 NTU which
is the acceptable standard in the E.U.
Water Conservation. A national campaign is being sponsored
by the Water Commission, in which the use of water
conservation devices at the household level is promoted. Pressure
reducer devices for taps and showers, pull handle taps
and double quantity dispensers for toilet cisterns are being
introduced in order to reduce water consumption in households.
without any discomfort to the user.
Water Demand Management. A shift from the traditional
management of the supply side to the demand side is being
introduced by the Water Commission. Water demand management is
emphasized, combining certain measures which
include: progressive water charges, price incentives for water
reuse, public participation, water systems improvement, and
introduction of advanced technologies in order to institutionalize
sustainable use of water throughout.
Water Resources Protection. The Water Commission adopted an
overall policy for the safeguarding of water resources.
The major principle is to use the best technology and best practice
in industry, agriculture, and society in order to
minimize the pollution of water resources. The Water Commission
oversees the planning and certification of development
projects in order to protect water resources and their long term
conservation for future generations.
Water Resources Monitoring. The state of available water
resources is continuously monitored by the Hydrological
Service Department of the Water Commission. The Annual and
periodical Reports are used to influence the planning
process and to control development projects. A water resources
conservation map, restricting land use to activities that are
not harmful to water resources, has been produced and considered in
land use planning.
NATIONAL PRIORITY: Long term conservation of water
resources and extended reuse of wastewater
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information
3. Major Groups: No information
4. Finance: No information
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information
Latest 199- | ||||
Fresh water availability (total domestic/external in million m3) | ||||
Annual withdrawal of freshwater as % of available water | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC
CHEMICALS, INCLUDING
PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN TOXIC AND DANGEROUS
PRODUCTS
The Hazardous Substances Law, 1993, provides the Ministry of
the Environment with authority for the control of
hazardous substances, including licensing, regulation and
supervision of the various aspects of their production, use,
handling, storage, marketing, import, export and transport. The
administrative means for enforcement established by the
law include a licensing requirement, in accordance with the
Licensing of Businesses Law, for any premise engaged in the
sale of hazardous substances, and a poisons permit requirement for
any person dealing in toxic substances. The holder of a
poisons permit, which must be renewed annually, is required to
maintain a toxic substances register in which all sales and
purchases of poisons are recorded. The law enables an authorized
representative of the Minister of the Environment to
enter any premise dealing with hazardous substances with the
exception of pharmacies, for purposes of inspection,
investigation or the collection of samples of hazardous substances.
This authority provides the Ministry of the
Environment with a powerful tool for the control and supervision of
hazardous substances. The Ministry of the
Environment is now investing major efforts in preparing the
infrastructure for both implementation and enforcement of the
law - the establishment of the permit system, discovery of the
facilities requiring a permit, computerization of data and
contacts with customs officials and chemical suppliers to ensure
that hazardous waste is not delivered to industries which
do not maintain the requisite permit.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: In a September 1993 decision, the
Israeli government called for the establishment of a national
contingency response system for chemical accidents. The system's
steering committee is comprised of representatives of
the police, Home Front Command, fire and emergency service, Magen
David Adorn (Israel Red Cross), the Ministry of
the Environment and other government ministries. Finances were
allocated for the operation of the national contingency
system and a two pronged contingency plan was established,
consisting of an integrated action plan specifying the tasks of
each body within the framework of the entire system.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Various bodies are involved
in dealing with the subject, including the Ministries of
Environment, Agriculture, Industry and Trade, Health, Internal
Security, Defense, in addition to Customs, the police
force, fire and rescue services, Israel Red Cross and the Home
Front Command.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: An Information
Center on Hazardous Substances was established by the
Ministry of the Environment in 1994 in coordination with the
existing Home Front Command Information Center. Plans
are currently being completed for the unification of these
information centers into one centralized Information and
Response Center for Hazardous Substances which will supply data on
a 24 hour-a-day basis. The Information Center on
Hazardous Substances collects data on safety, detection,
identification, alertness, treatment, neutralization procedures and
risk assessment. In addition, the center follows up on new
developments in the area of legislation, regulation and
restrictions, both worldwide and in Israel.
3. Major Groups: As described above.
4. Finance: The Israeli government allocated $US 22.6
million towards the establishment and operation of a national
contingency response system for chemical accidents.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Within the framework
of the multilateral peace talks, a regional workshop was
held on the issue of Management of Toxic Substances and Waste
hosted by Switzerland.
The Ministries of the Environment and Agriculture have set up
an ad-hoc committee to make the necessary domestic
arrangements and examine the effects of joining an Internationally
Legally Binding Instrument for the Application of the
Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals
and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC). Israel is
thus preparing the necessary groundwork to sign the instrument when
it becomes a Convention, expected to occur in
1997.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF
HAZARDOUS WASTES,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN HAZARDOUS
WASTES
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was
signed in 1989 and ratified in 1994.
* The latest information was provided to the Basel Convention
Secretariat in 1995.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
Israel's hazardous waste regulations require that all hazardous
waste be properly treated, recycled or deposited at the
Ramat Hovav National Disposal and Treatment Site for Hazardous
Waste, located south of Beersheba, the Negev. While
these regulations are implemented by the majority of Israel's large
scale industries, solutions have not yet been found to
the problems encountered by small scale industries, some producing
only a few tons of hazardous waste a year. Efforts
are currently being invested to find economically feasible methods
of transporting the hazardous wastes produced by these
plants to the Ramat Hovav site. At Karnat Hovav, a state-of-the-art
incinerator is currently being built, capable of burning
about 15,000 tons of organic materials per year.
Israel is currently reviewing disposal and treatment options
for other types of problematic wastes, such as medical
waste. A joint committee of the Ministries of the Environment and
Health, working according to guidelines on biological
waste set by the World Health Organization, has called for the
establishment of 15-20 regional disposal centers at main
hospitals throughout the country.
In compliance with the requirements of the Basel Convention on
the Control of Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Waste and Their Disposal, the Ministry of the Environment
promulgated regulations, under the Hazardous
Substances Law, dealing with the import and export of hazardous
wastes.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The main authority for
dealing with hazardous wastes in Israel is the Ministry of the
Environment, on a national and district level. In addition, a few
powers remain under the authority of the Ministry of
Health.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Licensing of
Business Regulations on hazardous industrial plants was
promulgated in 1993 and requires owners of industrial plants in
which hazardous substances or wastes are stored, sold,
processed or produced to take all necessary measures to treat these
materials according to the best available technology.
Used Oil Regulations, under the Abatement of Nuisances Law, the
Licensing of Businesses Law and the Water Law, came
into effect in December 1993. The regulations call for the
collection of used oil in specially-designed receptacles for
eventual disposal either to the Ramat Hovav Hazardous Waste Site or
to a recycling facility.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Israel is party to
the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, following
ratification of the Convention in December 1994.
As part of the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of
Environment and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency, a workshop on Harmonization of Hazadous Waste
Management Practices was held in November 1996.
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of hazardous waste (t) | ||||
Import of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Export of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
Area of land contaminated by hazardous waste (km2) | ||||
Expenditure on hazardous waste treatment (US$) | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 21: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF SOLID
WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES
The cost of solid waste disposal is expected to increase.
Recycling can be an economical solution for part of the
problem. Today, 6% of domestic waste is recycled. The total
percentage is higher, owing to recycling during the
production process. The goal is to recycle 25% of waste by the year
2000.
Waste Water Treatment : Because of the combination of severe
water shortage, contamination of water resources,
densely populated urban areas and intensive irrigation in
agriculture, wastewater treatment and reuse is high on Israel's
list of national priorities. Effluents constitute the most readily
available and cheapest source of additional water, and
provide a partial solution to Israel's water scarcity problem.
Of the total volume of municipal wastewater produced in
Israel, about 90% is collected by means of central sewage
systems; 80% is treated; and nearly 70% is reclaimed for reuse,
mainly for irrigation of non-food crops and animal
fodder. By the year 2000, recycled wastewater is expected to
provide up to 400 MCM of water per year for agricultural
purposes. During the last three years, a major drive has been
carried out to build new, modern treatment plants for most
of Israel's major cities - Jerusalem, Haifa, Netanya and Hadera.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Solid Waste : It is estimated
that each person in Israel produces an average of 1.6 kg of solid
waste
a day, resulting in a total annual quantity of waste produced in
the country by a population of 5.3 million equal to 3.1
million tons. Until 1993, about 96% of Israel's domestic waste was
disposed in landfills in 514 waste dumps, most of
which were unregulated. In June 1993, the government took a
landmark decision designed to expedite the establishment of
central sanitary landfills, close hundreds of illegal waste dumps
and create infrastructure environmentally-safe solid waste
disposal. Since June 1993, 198 illegal dumps have been closed. It
is estimated that by 1998, some 80% of the country's
waste will be safely discharged at 20 environmentally-safe
landfills (5 central sites and 15 local sites). As part of the
Minstry's integrated solid waste management policy, several
waste-to-energy plants will also be established.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Solid Waste : The Ministry of the Environment, through its Solid Waste Division and District Offices and the local municipalities, are primarily responsible for solid waste management. Siting of landfills and other waste disposal locations is within the authority of local municipalities and subject to the Planning and Building Law and its regulations as well as the National Outline Scheme for Solid Waste Disposal. Wastewater Treatment; The Water Law of 1959 establishes the framework for the control and protection of Israel's water resources, authorizing the Ministry of the Environment with responsibility for preventing pollution of water resources. Other ministries, including the National Infrastructure Ministry through the National Water Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Interior Ministry also share responsibility for the treatment of wastewater.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Solid Waste: The impending closure of waste dumps and their replacement by a few central landfills will significantly increase the cost of solid waste disposal from $US 5 per ton of waste to an average of $US 20 per ton. Calculation of the economic and environmental costs of landfilling is expected to expedite the move to low-or non-waste technologies and to encourage the implementation of waste reduction, reuse and recycling options. To facilitate these developments, Israel is redoubling its efforts to promote recycling by every possible means - research, legislation and pilot projects. The current goal is to reach a lO% recycling rate by 1997 for post-consuteer waste and approximately 25% by the year 2000. The Collection and Disposal of Waste for Recycling Law was passed in June 1993. The law authorizes local authorities, and obliges them when so required by the Minister of the Environment, to allocate sites for recycling centers and to install recycling facilities and containers. In order to facilitate the adoption of relevant by-laws by local authorities, the Ministry of the Enviroment drafted a model by-law on the collection and disposal of waste for recycling. Wastewater Treatment: By Israeli law, no industrial plant can be approved until it ensures adequate treatment of its industrial wastewater prior to discharge into the municipal system. An important issue currently being reviewed is the disposal and treatment of sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants. A Ministry of the Environment team has consolidated a policy which would require sewage treatment plants to treat the sludge to a point where it will not cause odors or attract insects. Some 30-50% of the sludge will then be used as fertilizer, with the rest earmarked for landfill disposal.
3. Major Groups: No further information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Bilateral cooperation between Sweden and Israel focused in 1995-1996 on the issue of solid waste management. Bilateral cooperation with Turkey and Egypt has focused on the issue of wastewater treatment and management. Within the multilateral working group on the environment, a regional workshop was held, hosted by Italy, on solid waste management, and attention has been given to the issue of wastewater treatment within the multilateral working group on Water. A major part of the cooperative action in the field of the environment between Israel and Palestinian Authority focuses on the two issues of solid waste management and wastewater management and treatment. |
Latest 199- | ||||
Generation of industrial and municipal waste (t) | ||||
Waste disposed(Kg/capita) | ||||
Expenditure on waste collection and treatment (US$) | ||||
Waste recycling rates (%) | ||||
Municipal waste disposal (Kg/capita) | ||||
Waste reduction rates per unit of GDP (t/year) | ||||
Other data |
|
| |
Paper/cardboard | ||
Compost | ||
Plastic | ||
Glass | ||
Aluminum | ||
Used Oil | ||
Scrap Metal | ||
TOTAL | ||
Total % Recycling | ||
* M.T./yr= Metric Tons/year |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 22: SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY
SOUND MANAGEMENT
OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Israel's prime concern in the
management of low-level radioactive waste, produced by hospitals,
research laboratories and institutions, and industrial and
agricultural premises, is population safety and environmental
protection. The Nuclear Research Center in the Negev operates and
monitors Israel's only national disposal site for
radioactive waste. The Ministry of the Environment operates a
computerized database management system on radioactive
materials, with data on licensing, import and distribution, waste
disposal and transportation. Supervision of the disposal of
radioactive waste has improved recently, and a report was prepared
based on the number of drums containing radioactive
waste which were transferred from all institutions in Israel to the
national disposal site in the Negev. Within the
framework of the advisory committee on radiation, a report on waste
disposal and treatment procedures has also been
prepared.
1. Decision-Making Structure: Part of the responsibilities
of the Ministry of the Environment's Radiation Division
include supervision of radioactive materials and radioactive waste
facilities. The authority for low-level radioactive waste
management in Israel is the radiation officer appointed by the
Minister of the Environment under the Pharmacists
Regulations on radioactive elements. The regulations authorize the
officer to issue a license for waste disposal services,
after consulting with the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
Ch. 24: GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was
24.a Increasing the proportion of women decision makers.
24.b assessing, reviewing, revising and implementing curricula and other educational material with a view to promoting dissemination of gender-relevant knowledge. Curricula and educational material
24.c and 24.d formulating and implementing policies, guidelines, strategies and plans for achievement of equality in all aspects of society including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full participation of women in sustainable development. Policies/strategies etc.
24.e establishing mechanisms by 1995 to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and programmes on women
Brief comments on this chapter:
|
Ch. 25: CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. 25.a establishing processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing A21.
Describe their role in the national process: 25.b reducing youth unemployment
25.c ensuring that by year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training.
Brief comments on this chapter:
|
Ch. 26: RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
26.a establishing a process to empower indigenous people and their communities -- through policies and legal instruments:
26.b strengthening arrangements for active participation in national policies
26.c involving indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level.
Brief comments on this chapter:
| |
Ch. 27: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 27.a developing mechanisms that allow NGOs to play their partnership role responsibly and effectively. 27.b reviewing formal procedures and mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making and implementation. 27.c promoting and allowing NGOs to participate in the conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation.
27.d establishing a mutually productive dialogue by 1995 at the national level between NGOs and governments.
Brief comments on this chapter:
|
Ch. 28: LOCAL AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF
AGENDA 21.
28.a encouraging local authorities to implement and monitor programmes that aim to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making.
Brief comments on this chapter:
| |
Ch. 29: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND
THEIR TRADE UNIONS. 29.a full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of A21. 29.b (By year 2000, (a) promoting ratification of ILO conventions; (b) establishing bipartite and tripartite mechanism on safety, health and sustainable development; (c) increasing number of environmental collective agreements; (d) reducing occupational accidents and injuries; (e) increasing workers' education and training efforts.
Brief comments on this chapter:
|
30: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY. | 30.a increasing the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output.
30.b encouraging the concept of stewardship in management and use of natural resources by entrepreneurs.
List any actions taken in this area:
30.c increasing number of enterprises that subscribe to and implement sustainable development policies.
Brief comments on this chapter:
|
Ch. 31: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY. 31.a improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between s&t community and the general public. Scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and deal with sustainable development.
31.b developing, improving and promoting international acceptance of codes of practice and guidelines related to science and technology and its role in reconciling environment and development.
Brief comments on this chapter not already described in chapter 35:
| |
Ch. 32: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
FARMERS. 32.a promoting and encouraging sustainable farming practices and technologies.
32.b developing a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices.
32.c enhancing participation of organizations of farmers in design and implementation of sustainable development policies.
Brief comments on this chapter:
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 33: FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND
MECHANISMS
Financial resources and mechanisms are also covered under each
sectoral chapter of Agenda 21 where
relevant. This summary highlights broader national financial
policies, domestic and external
(including ODA)
No information
CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT:
NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS:
ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES:
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
ODA funding provided or received (Total US$million) | ||||||
Net flow of external capital from all sources as % of GDP | ||||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 34: TRANSFER OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND
CAPACITY-BUILDING
Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and
capacity-building is also covered under each sectoral
chapter of Agenda 21 where relevant. This summary highlights
broader national policies and actions relating to chapter
34.
No information
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION:
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
NETWORKS/SYSTEMS:
Describe any work being undertaken at the national or
local level regarding efforts to promote clean production
processes and/or the concepts of eco-efficiency. These processes
may include training, preferential financial
arrangements, information dissemination and changes in legal or
regulatory frameworks.
Provide information on the adoption of environmental management systems. National reaction to environmental management system standards such as the ISO 14000 Series and others. Please note efforts made at the national level to promote their adoption and the creation of certification infrastructure in order to facilitate access to these standards to local industry.
List and describe programs or work under way to facilitate the transfer of ESTs to small and medium sized enterprises. Please note efforts to facilitate access to financial resources and other transfer strategies.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 35: SCIENCE FOR
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
No information
STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG
TERM SCIENTIFIC
ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE,
RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES:
Year | |||
Number of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development | # | 19-- | |
Total expenditure for research and experimental development (US$eq.) | $ | 19-- | |
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 36: PROMOTING EDUCATION,
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND
TRAINING
Education is compulsory until the age of 16. The educational level
of the Israeli population has steadily increased. The
proportion of people with at least a basic education has increased
from 65.3% to 85.3% over the last 30 years. Illiteracy
has practically disappeared among younger age groups, although it
still exists in a small proportion of the elderly, mainly
among women.
In 1993, 18% of the people aged 15 were university graduates; the
corresponding figure for women were 17%. Women
comprised 54% of university students in 1992/93, compared to 36% in
1964/65. The general trend has been towards a
more educated population. In 1993 the median number of years of
formal education was 11.8, compared to 10.7 in 1980
and 8.8 in 1970.
a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable
development
b) Increasing public awareness
The population's awareness of environmental issues is growing, and
air and water pollution are key issues.
c) Promoting training
ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:
FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Israel is a multilingual society.
The two main official languages are Hebrew and Arabic. Other
languages are widely spoken, including English, French, Russian,
Spanish, and Yiddish. Hebrew is the language
necessary for integration in the labour force and other areas of
life.
Latest 199- | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Male | ||||
Adult literacy rate (%) Female | ||||
% of primary school children reaching grade 5 (1986-97) | ||||
Mean number of years of schooling | ||||
% of GNP spent on education | ||||
Females per 100 males in secondary school | ||||
Women per 100 men in the labour force | ||||
Other data
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 37: NATIONAL MECHANISMS AND
INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION FOR CAPACITY-BUILDING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
National capacity building is also covered under sectoral
chapters.
Donors: You may wish to describe here how Agenda 21 has
influenced your ODA policies in this area.
Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new
national mechanisms for capacity building - and any changes
in technical cooperation.
No information
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY
BUILDING:
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 38: INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONAL
ARRANGEMENTS
Ch. 38: Brief summary of any particular UN System
response affecting this country/state:
No information
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 39: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
INSTRUMENTS AND
MECHANISMS
Ch. 39: International Legal Instruments are covered
under the relevant sectoral chapters. This is a listing of major
agreements/conventions (not already covered) entered into and
relevant to Agenda 21:
Article 12 of Annex III of the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, signed in Washington on September 28, 1995, specifically deals with environmental protection.
Agreement Between the Government and the State of Israel and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of Agricultural Ecology, signed in 1993.
Agreement between the Government of the Hashmite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of the State of Israel on Cooperation in Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation, signed in 1995.
Agreement on Special Arrangements for Aqaba and Eilat between the Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, signed in January 1996, has specific sections devoted to Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, and a proposed binational marine peace park.
Agreement on the Subregional Contingency Plan for Preparedness and Response to Major Marine Pollution Incidents in the Mediterranean between the Republic of Cyprus, The Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel.
Israel hosted an Expert Meeting on Synergies among the Rio Conventions, supported by the Governments of Israel, Japan, Denmark, and also by UNDP, to elucidate the links between the Convention on Biodiversity, the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention to Combat Desertification and the Forest Principles, and correspondingly to detect the overlaps, convergencies and synergies between these Instruments.
The meeting pointed at some means for attaining synergy: (a) identification of a national "entry point" - a dryland country will focus its efforts in combating desertification and use it as an "entry point" for addressing also the other conventions, whereas a country with much forested area will use the Forest Principles as an entry point; (b) establishing a coordinating mechanism between the national focal points of each of the conventions, as well as between the conventions' secretariats; (c) identification of indicators that apply to the assessment of progress in all instruments, establishment of a monitoring system and harmonizing the information gathering and analysis procedures, to enable the quantification of progress made towards sustainable development in the implementation of the conventions, and (d) use of this analysis for non-overlapping, shared, streamlined reporting.
|
2. | International cooperation and trade | |||||
3. | Combating poverty | |||||
4. | Changing consumption patterns | |||||
5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | |||||
6. | Human health | |||||
7. | Human settlements | |||||
8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | |||||
9. | Protection of the atmosphere | |||||
10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | |||||
11. | Combating deforestation | |||||
12. | Combating desertification and drought | |||||
13. | Sustainable mountain development | |||||
14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | |||||
15. | Conservation of biological diversity | |||||
16. | Biotechnology | |||||
17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | |||||
18. | Freshwater resources | |||||
19. | Toxic chemicals | |||||
20. | Hazardous wastes | |||||
21. | Solid wastes | |||||
22. | Radioactive wastes | |||||
24. | Women in sustainable development | |||||
25. | Children and youth | |||||
26. | Indigenous people | |||||
27. | Non-governmental organizations | |||||
28. | Local authorities | |||||
29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
30. | Business and industry | |||||
31. | Scientific and technological community | |||||
32. | Farmers | |||||
33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | |||||
34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | |||||
35. | Science for sustainable development | |||||
36. | Education, public awareness and training | |||||
37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | |||||
38. | International institutional arrangements | |||||
39. | International legal instruments | |||||
40. | Information for decision-making |
No information
Latest 199- | ||||
Number of telephones in use per 100 inhabitants | ||||
Other data
|
Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997