Israel recorded a significant reduction in air pollution in 2025, generating an estimated NIS 4.2 billion in economic savings from the lower external costs associated with pollution, according to new data released Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Ministry.

The ministry’s annual emissions data showed a 22% to 23% decline in emissions of respirable PM10 and PM2.5 particles, while greenhouse gas emissions fell by 3%. Officials attributed much of the improvement to Israel’s continued reduction in coal use, increased production of renewable energy, and strengthened regulation and enforcement.

Pollutant emissions from municipal waste fires also dropped 13% during 2025. Authorities recorded 10,977 waste fires, representing a cumulative 31% decline from the peak recorded in 2021.

However, the ministry said it identified discrepancies between estimated benzene emissions in Haifa Bay and the Ashdod industrial area and benzene concentrations measured at monitoring stations. Officials are investigating the cause of the differences.

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman said the figures demonstrate that sustained environmental policies are producing tangible results, while ministry officials said the latest numbers continue a years-long trend of major reductions in key pollutants.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)