Israel's 2025 Pollutant Emissions Report Shows Modest Decline, Highlights Major Polluters

On September 1, 2026, Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection released its 2025 national emissions inventory and the pollutant release and transfer register (MALAS). The report shows a 3% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2024, a figure criticized as inadequate. Electricity generation from renewables rose 16%, but fossil fuel generation fell only 3%. The external cost of air pollution in 2025 was estimated at 34 billion shekels, down 9% from the previous year. Major polluters include the Orot Rabin power plant in Hadera, Haifa refineries, ICL's Rotem Amfert Negev and Dead Sea plants, Nesher cement plant in Ramla, Ashdod refinery, and major power stations. The report notes an ongoing investigation into discrepancies between reported benzene emissions and higher measured concentrations in Haifa Bay and northern Ashdod. Environmental unions criticized the government's decision to extend the operation of coal-fired units at Orot Rabin until 2028 and filed a court petition. In Haifa Bay, emissions of suspected carcinogens rose 4%, volatile organic compounds rose 15%, and nitrogen oxides rose 7%. In northern Ashdod, nitrogen oxides rose 4% and suspected carcinogens rose 14%, partly due to a new power plant at the desalination facility. Waste burning incidents decreased 13% to 10,977, with burned waste down to 274,000 tons. The Citizens for Clean Air organization noted that air pollution kills about 5,500 people annually in Israel and called for a national policy to combat pollution and waste fires.