Building bridges with Local Authorities
L&E works closely with local authorities to ensure that national environmental policies are effectively implemented at the municipal level, where the most direct impacts on communities occur. Local authorities are often key players in enacting and managing environmental initiatives, making their engagement essential for translating broader policies into actionable, localized solutions.
Local Environmental Quality Committees
L&E works to bridge the gap between national and local environmental policies and to make national policies accessible to local professionals for implementation. As part of the organization’s mandate to represent the public on all levels of governemnt, our work includes the representation of the public in local Environmental Quality Committees (EQCs) and the professional development of the Committees’ chairpersons and public representatives .
In 2023 L&E co-wrote the “Changing Climate in the Council” platform together with seven other organizations, which included detailed questionnaire for residents that can be used for salon meetings for panels. As part of the program L&A got 127 candidates, council members, and mayors to sign an environmental charter which they pledged to promote if elected. This initiative reached candidates who previously did not identify with the environmental movement.
Our work with Local Authorities also includes elevating the role of EQCs in local governance. We aim to strengthen the link between local and central government to enhance the effectiveness of EQCs, as well as promote increased involvement of local authorities in water quality management.
Aclima: Local Climate Solutions
The twenty-first century has become the urban century, with the majority of the population living in cities. In Israel, for example, 92% of the population are city-dwelling. Moreover, there is a plan to step up urban development in the coming years, making the need for energy-efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly solutions, even more acute and urgent. While some impressive urban and local plans have been implemented worldwide, Israel still lags behind considerably in this regard.
Launced in 2024, Aclima is a hub for professional knowledge and practical information on climate change adaptation for local authorities. The center fosters learning communities, establishes multi-sectoral collaboration networks to build local and regional climate resilience, develops professional tools to assess the preparedness of authorities for climate change, and presents practical solutions.
It will serve three purposes:
1. Knowledge Repository: The center will collect and translate existing knowledge from both abroad and Israel into practical tools for local authorities.
2. Support and Guidance: The center will serve as a focal point for supporting and guiding local authorities in assessing and implementing emission reduction and climate adaptation programs. It will assist in project development, capacity building within authorities, and execution. The intervention model will involve assembling a leading team of key figures within an authority to collaborate on a work plan.
3. Motivation Change: The center aims to increase the motivation of mayors and municipal CEOs to drive change. This involves raising awareness among higher-ranking officials in local authorities about various aspects of climate change and fostering their motivation to implement relevant projects. Additionally, the center will assist them in fully taking advantage of subsidies and benefits from central government funds earmarked for climate change initiatives.
