Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) is launching a large-scale national initiative to address the global climate crisis and its local consequences. As part of the initiative, approximately NIS 100 million will be invested in strengthening the climate resilience of 37 regional councils across Israel. The Regional Climate program, approved by the KKL-JNF Board of Directors and expanded at the initiative of KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky, is designed to provide local authorities with practical tools to address global threats and turn preparedness plans into concrete action on the ground.
This exceptional investment reflects the strategic shift taking place at KKL-JNF under Ostrovsky's leadership, with immediate action being taken in response to findings in the State Comptroller's report, which highlighted significant gaps in local authorities' preparedness for the climate crisis. According to the report, 154 local authorities (approximately 60% of all local authorities in Israel) have yet to prepare a climate preparedness plan. In rural areas, only 8 out of 54 regional councils have prepared such a plan.
Photo: KKL - JNF
The Regional Climate program was developed by KKL-JNF's Climate and Sustainability Division and will focus on regional councils, which collectively oversee approximately 85% of Israel's territory, including most of the open spaces and agricultural lands that contribute to national resilience. The program will enable each regional council to conduct a local risk assessment, appoint a senior climate manager, establish operational mechanisms, and advance practical projects in the fields of water management, renewable energy, open-space preservation, infrastructure, and preparedness for extreme weather events.
To ensure that the program is fully implemented and does not become stalled at the planning stage, KKL-JNF has brought the Aclima Association on board. The association will receive approximately NIS 9 million and provide professional guidance to the regional councils throughout every stage of the process – from strategic planning and detailed project planning to on-the-ground implementation and ongoing operation.
KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky: "There is no other land for us, and that is why we at KKL-JNF are not waiting for others to take action. Our collaboration with the regional councils demonstrates that their leaders know how to turn our vision into reality in the best possible way, because they are the ones who live and breathe the land – day in and day out, hour after hour. We are taking action and providing practical solutions on the ground together with the heads of the local authorities, to safeguard the future of the home we all share. If we do not address climate damage now, before it is too late, most of it will become impossible to repair in the future."