Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry quietly launched a new digital tool designed to assess climate risks across the country after the project was sidelined by the current minister, Idit Silman. The National Climate Risk Portal, developed over several years by ministry professionals and scientists, was released online with minimal publicity in August, reportedly without informing the public or key decision-makers.
The initiative was originally introduced under the previous environmental protection minister, Tamar Zandberg, and represents a collaborative interministerial effort. It draws on data from the Meteorological Service, Central Bureau of Statistics, the Agriculture Ministry, and academic researchers. The portal aims to provide detailed climate risk assessments and preparedness information to support decision-making on mitigating the effects of climate change.
At the core of the portal is a “map of vulnerabilities” that highlights climate-related risks such as heat stress. The map uses high-resolution data incorporating meteorological, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. It reveals that populations residing in lower socioeconomic areas face disproportionately higher exposure to climate hazards, including extreme heat and flooding. For example, municipalities like Bnei Brak show elevated vulnerability, linked to a larger proportion of children from low-income families. The data also indicate that Arab communities are more susceptible to heat-related risks.
The portal allows users to compare current vulnerability levels with projections based on different future climate scenarios developed by the Meteorological Service. These scenarios include pathways with continued high emissions and worsening impacts, as well as strategies involving reduced emissions and slower climate change progression. Planned updates to the portal will eventually cover additional risks such as flooding, rising sea levels, and wildfires.
Prof. Noga Kronfeld-Schor, the ministry’s former chief scientist who helped lead the project, described the tool as essential for prioritizing climate-related policies. She noted that it could highlight cost-effective interventions, such as providing free electricity during heat waves in vulnerable communities—a measure potentially less expensive than addressing heat-related health emergencies.
Research also underscores the growing health risks linked to climate change in Israel. A recent study of over 20,000 stroke cases found that exposure to higher temperatures and humidity levels substantially increased stroke risk. For example, temperatures rising from 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32 degrees Celsius correlated with a 32 percent higher stroke risk. Similarly, high humidity was associated with elevated risks days after exposure. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Haifa’s School of Public Health and School of Environmental Sciences.
Despite the portal’s significance, ministry insiders say it has been deprioritized since Silman assumed office, amid broader concerns about the government’s approach to climate preparedness. Critics argue that several of Silman’s actions have weakened Israel’s readiness for climate-related challenges or appear politically motivated. The ministry declined to comment on the portal’s low-key release or its current role in national climate policy.