​Central

The Ministry of Environmental Protection is responsible for: 

• Developing an integrated government policy
• Strategies, standards and priorities
  advising and supervising the various environmental units that operate at regional and local level,[1] (there are six regional offices centrally managed);
• Water purification;
• The Kakal foundation develops and maintains Israeli forest lands.
• Sewage cost management and standardisation services.[2]

The ministry’s six district’s competencies are:

• implementation of national policy
• involvement in planning processes
• teaching municipalities about their environmental responsibilities
• supervision and enforcement of environmental laws in municipalities
• formulating requirements and environmental conditions for the acquisition of business licenses
• supervision and direction of environmental units
• initiating and promoting environmental projects in districts

Local

Local authorities’ mandatory powers include:

• The operation of waste disposal facilities (a shared competence with the central government),
• Water desalination,
• Sewage services 
  
  

There are 52 local environmental units under the management of the central government. They are responsible for:

• Advising the local authority;
• local environmental planning;
• waste management and recycling;
• environmental education.
   

Environmental management at local authorities are directed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. However, local authorities have the autonomy to launch their own projects within their budgets. 
In 2008, a forum bringing together 15 strong local authorities signed a local treaty to reduce air pollution. This initiative was followed by local level activities such as training workshops for local authorities, advisory services and so forth.[1]

Responsible ministries/bodies Ministry of Environmental Protection

Sources: OCED Environmental Performance Review, 2011

 
[1] Local Sustainability Center website, The Forum of the 15, available at: http://www.kayamut.org.il/%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%99%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%AA (HE).

[1] Ministry of Environmental Protection website, About US, available at: http://www.sviva.gov.il/English/AboutUs/Pages/AboutUs.aspx (EN).

[2] Water Authority website, History, available at: http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/about-reshut-hamaim/Pages/History.aspx (HE).