Health warnings force Israel to cut pollution

The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection has introduced the first national air pollution reduction programme, aiming for a double-digit reduction in the percentage of ozone, microparticles, and nitrogen oxides in Israel's air.

The government projected that illness caused by air pollution will cost NIS 8 billion (£1.4 billion) within a decade unless significant changes are made. An estimated cost of NIS 690 million (£118 million) to implement the scheme is reported to be 'small change' compared to the health implications at stake.

Energy infrastructure and consumption is being highlighted as the key objectives of the programme, with a more sophisticated consumption monitoring system being implemented using a deferential rate so that those consuming a lot of electricity will pay a high price per watt.

There are also transport schemes to be enacted, with an expansion of a scrappage programme which will help take old cars off the road, taxes on vehicles and fuels, and reduced rates on toll-roads for multi-passenger vehicles. Those running hybrid vehicles will be offered a 33 per cent tax break.

Use of public transport will be encouraged, and public transport firms will be encouraged to purchase less polluting buses. Three city buses fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas will also run under a new government pilot.