Developing a Climate Vulnerability Index for Israel

Israel is located in a hotspot region concerning the effects of the climate crisis. Yet, the expected impacts of climate change are not determined solely by the level of exposure to changing climate conditions but also by the vulnerability and sensitivity levels of individuals, communities, and systems in exposed areas. In short, vulnerable populations face greater risks. Without adequate adaptation efforts, climate change is likely to exacerbate social disparities based on economic, ethnic, gender, and health factors, leading to increased social inequality.

To thoroughly analyze the unique vulnerability characteristics of different regions, developing a standardized, data-based index is necessary. To support this goal, a diverse multi-stakeholder expert committee—comprising leading scientists from relevant fields, government administrators, business professionals, and civil society representatives—convened to deliberate on the multifaceted aspects of climate change vulnerability. The Expert Committee characterized and selected the most relevant indicators for four sensitivity fields: 1) socio-economic sensitivity, 2) operational continuity sensitivity, 3) health sensitivity, and 4) environmental sensitivity. Each field was further divided into clusters, incorporating a total of 130 selected indicators.

The exchange of knowledge and insights has culminated in this comprehensive report: an actionable, science-based foundation for the development of a national climate vulnerability map.

The report is available in Hebrew, English and Arabic.